Quick Answer
bluebeam-revu.exe is safe. It's the legitimate executable for Bluebeam Revu that manages PDF viewing, editing, and collaboration using a multi-process architecture.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Bluebeam Software\Bluebeam Revu\Bluebeam Revu.exe
Warning
Multiple processes normal
Bluebeam Revu may spawn separate processes for document rendering, OCR, and background tasks
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Bluebeam Revu to reduce usage; disable startup if needed
What is bluebeam-revu.exe?
bluebeam-revu.exe is the executable that launches Bluebeam Revu, a PDF editing and collaboration tool. The application uses multiple processes to render PDFs, apply edits, handle annotations, and support Studio collaboration features.
Bluebeam Revu uses a multi-process architecture to isolate rendering, markup, and background tasks, improving stability and performance. Each document view runs in its own process to prevent a single issue from taking down others.
Quick Fact: Bluebeam Revu uses modular processes to separate UI, rendering, and collaboration tasks, enabling smoother editing and collaboration workflows.
Types of Bluebeam Revu Processes
- Main Application Process: User interface, menu handling, and global settings (1 instance)
- Renderer Process: PDF rendering and viewport for each open document
- OCR/Content Processing: Background text recognition and content extraction tasks
- Studio/Collaboration Process: Studio server connectivity and live collaboration components
- Plugin/Utility Process: Plugins and ancillary utilities integrated into Revu
- Updater/Background Task: Background updater and license verification tasks
Is bluebeam-revu.exe Safe?
Yes, bluebeam-revu.exe is safe when it is the legitimate file from Bluebeam downloaded from official sources (bluebeam.com or the preinstalled vendor version).
Is bluebeam-revu.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real bluebeam-revu.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if bluebeam-revu.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Bluebeam Software\Bluebeam Revu\Bluebeam Revu.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Bluebeam Software\Bluebeam Revu\Bluebeam Revu.exe. Any bluebeam-revu.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click bluebeam-revu.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Bluebeam, Inc."
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 4-25% CPU per document, 150-600 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the app is closed is suspicious.
- Behavior: Bluebeam Revu should only run when you open the application. Multiple instances when Revu is closed indicates malware.
Red Flags: If bluebeam-revu.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Revu isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "bluebeam-revu32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is bluebeam-revu.exe Running on My PC?
bluebeam-revu.exe runs when you open Bluebeam Revu or when Revu is configured to run background tasks or studio collaboration.
Reasons it's running:
- Active PDF Editing: You're actively editing or viewing a PDF; rendering occurs in separate processes
- Background Sync/Studio: Bluebeam Studio, cloud syncing, or collaboration sessions keep processes alive
- OCR or Content Processing: OCR, text search indexing, and content extraction run in background processes
- Startup or Startup Tasks: Bluebeam Revu or Studio may be configured to launch at Windows startup
- Plugin and Utility Services: Plugins or utilities may start to support file interoperability and scanners
Can I Disable or Remove bluebeam-revu.exe?
Yes, you can disable bluebeam-revu.exe. It's safe to close Bluebeam Revu when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different PDF tool.
How to Stop bluebeam-revu.exe
- Close Documents: Close all open PDFs or use File → Exit to terminate the application
- Close Revu: Click the X button or use Alt+F4 to exit large sessions
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate bluebeam-revu.exe (and related bbstudio.exe) and End Task
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Bluebeam Revu
- Disable Background Processes: In Bluebeam Revu Settings → Performance, turn off background syncing or studio helpers
How to Uninstall Bluebeam Revu
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Bluebeam Revu → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Bluebeam Revu → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative PDF tools: Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, Nitro, or PDF-XChange
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If bluebeam-revu.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large PDFs or many open documents: Close unused documents or use the Thumbnail Pane to navigate; limit concurrent editors
- Background Studio or syncing: Pause Studio sessions or disable background syncing in Preferences
- OCR or indexing tasks: Wait for OCR tasks to finish or pause them in Settings; reduce document sizes
- Outdated bluebeam version: Update Bluebeam Revu to the latest version from the official site
- Corrupted cache: Clear cache or reset user profile data; back up custom stamps
- Plugin or scanner integration: Disable problematic plugins or scanner plugins in Preferences
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused documents and panels
2. Check for updates: Help → Check for Updates
3. Pause or disable Studio/Sync features in Preferences
4. Reset preferences or clear cache from Revu → Preferences → Advanced
5. Restart Bluebeam Revu to apply changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bluebeam-revu.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate bluebeam-revu.exe from Bluebeam is not a virus. Verify the file is located in C:\Program Files\Bluebeam Software\Bluebeam Revu\Bluebeam Revu.exe and has a valid digital signature from Bluebeam, Inc.
Why is bluebeam-revu.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can be caused by large PDF files, OCR tasks, or heavy markup work. Open the Bluebeam Task Manager or use Revu's internal task viewer to identify heavy documents and pause or close them.
Can I delete bluebeam-revu.exe?
You can uninstall Bluebeam Revu from Windows Settings → Apps → Bluebeam Revu → Uninstall. Your documents remain, but installed plugins and profiles may be removed.
Can I disable bluebeam-revu.exe?
Yes, you can close Bluebeam Revu when not in use. To prevent startup, disable it in Task Manager → Startup. To stop background Sync/Studio, toggle options in Preferences.
Why does Bluebeam Revu start at Windows startup?
Bluebeam Revu may be configured to launch at startup to enable quick access and background syncing. Disable it in Task Manager → Startup or Revu’s settings.
How do I reduce memory usage in Bluebeam Revu?
Close unused PDFs, reduce open documents, disable unnecessary plugins, and enable performance options like memory saver if available.