clion.exe

JetBrains CLion IDE

Application ProcessSafeIntegrated Development Environment

CPU Usage

2-25%

Memory

200-1000 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\JetBrains\CLion 2025.1\bin

Publisher

JetBrains s.r.o.

Quick Answer

clion.exe is safe. It's JetBrains CLion launcher/IDE process that starts the UI and coordinates indexing, code analysis, and build integration.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\JetBrains\CLion <version>\bin\clion64.exe or clion.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Background indexer and helper processes run while CLion is active

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close CLion or enable Power Save Mode to reduce background activity

What is clion.exe?

clion.exe is the launcher for JetBrains CLion on Windows. CLion is a cross‑platform C/C++ IDE that runs on a bundled Java Virtual Machine and uses a dedicated launcher to start the main UI. The process coordinates the IDE’s indexing, code analysis, build integration, and plugin infrastructure.

CLion relies on the JetBrains platform; clion.exe starts the IDE and delegates heavy tasks to background services such as the indexer, code analysis, and CMake integration, enabling fast code completion and navigation during development.

Quick Fact: JetBrains CLion uses a JVM-based platform; the clion.exe launcher starts the IDE and delegates heavy work to background indexers and helper processes.

Types of CLion Processes

Main IDE Process: Launcher and UI for CLion (1 instance)
Indexer Process: Background indexing and code analysis
CMake Process: CMake configuration and build orchestration
Debugger/Runner Process: Debugger and run configurations execution
Plugin Process: Plugins loaded by CLion
Utility Process: Background tasks and file watchers

Is clion.exe Safe?

Yes, clion.exe is safe when obtained from JetBrains official installers (jetbrains.com) and located in the proper installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\JetBrains\CLion \bin).

Is clion.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real clion.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may disguise itself with similar names.

How to Tell if clion.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\JetBrains\CLion \bin\clion64.exe or clion.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show 'JetBrains s.r.o.' as signer.
Resource Usage: Normal CLion usage varies; during indexing it may briefly spike CPU. Consistently high usage while idle is suspicious.
Behavior: CLion should start the IDE when you launch the executable. If it runs without user action, investigate tampering.

Red Flags: If clion.exe is outside the JetBrains directory, lacks a valid certificate, or runs when the IDE isn't launched, scan with antivirus.

Why Is clion.exe Running on My PC?

clion.exe runs when you start CLion or when the IDE is configured to watch files and index code in the background for faster editing and navigation.

Reasons it's running:

Active IDE Use: You opened CLion, so the main UI is active and indexing occurs in background
Background Indexing: CLion analyzes and indexes the project to provide code completion and navigation features
CMake/Build Tasks: Running a CMake configuration or build keeps related processes active
Plugins and Language Servers: Installed plugins and language servers run to provide extended functionality
Startup or Background Services: JetBrains runtime may initialize on startup or maintain background services for project watchers

Can I Disable or Remove clion.exe?

Yes, you can disable clion.exe. It's safe to close CLion when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different IDE.

How to Stop clion.exe

End IDE Tasks: Close CLion or use Task Manager to End Task for clion64.exe / clion.exe
Shutdown the IDE: Close all CLion windows and confirm the IDE process terminates
Prevent Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable JetBrains CLion
Disable Background Indexing: In CLion, enable Power Save Mode (File > Power Save Mode) to reduce indexing and background tasks
Stop Background Apps: If used, disable related background watchers or plugins in CLion settings

How to Uninstall CLion

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → JetBrains CLion → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → JetBrains CLion → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative IDEs: Visual Studio Code, CLion alternatives

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If clion.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large project with many files: Exclude directories from indexing or adjust project scopes; consider enabling Power Save Mode during heavy editing.
Background indexing: Let indexing complete or pause indexing temporarily; avoid heavy edits during indexing bursts.
Resource-heavy plugins: Disable or uninstall unnecessary plugins via Settings → Plugins
Antivirus scanning: Add CLion installation and project directories to antivirus exclusions
Outdated CLion: Update to the latest CLion version to obtain performance fixes
Insufficient RAM: Increase allocated heap size in bin/clion64.vmoptions and close unused applications

Quick Fixes:
1. Use CLion Task Manager to identify high-usage threads and close them
2. Pause indexing or enable Power Save Mode
3. Close unused projects and files to reduce memory pressure
4. Disable or remove unnecessary plugins
5. Update CLion to the latest version
6. Increase JVM heap size in CLion's vmoptions file (e.g., clion64.vmoptions)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clion.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate clion.exe from JetBrains is not a virus. However, always verify the file is located in C:\Program Files\JetBrains\CLion <version>\bin\ and has a valid digital signature from JetBrains s.r.o.

Why is clion.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usage is typically caused by indexing a large codebase, running builds, or active plugins. Use CLion Task Manager (Shift+Esc) to identify the culprit and consider pausing indexing or closing heavy tabs.

Can I delete clion.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall JetBrains CLion via Windows Settings → Apps if you no longer need it. Your projects remain on disk unless you delete them separately.

Can I disable clion.exe?

Yes, you can close CLion or disable startup entries in Task Manager. To further reduce background activity, enable Power Save Mode in CLion.

Why is clion.exe running at startup?

CLion may be configured to launch at Windows startup or a project may autoload. Disable startup in Task Manager → Startup tab to prevent automatic launches.

How do I reduce CLion's memory usage?

Close unused projects, disable unneeded plugins, enable Power Save Mode, and increase heap size if necessary by editing clion64.vmoptions.