cyberduck.exe

Cyberduck FTP/SFTP/WebDAV Client

Application ProcessSafeFile Transfer Client

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

40-220 MB

Location

Program Files\Cyberduck

Publisher

iterate GmbH

Quick Answer

cyberduck.exe is safe. It's Cyberduck, a multi-protocol file transfer client. It may spawn separate processes for transfers and UI to keep operations responsive.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Cyberduck\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberduck\Cyberduck.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Each transfer, UI task, or protocol handler can launch its own process

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close operations or exit Cyberduck; disable startup if desired

What is cyberduck.exe?

cyberduck.exe is the executable for Cyberduck, a cross‑platform file transfer client that supports FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and cloud storage. When Cyberduck runs, you may see multiple cyberduck.exe processes in Task Manager corresponding to UI, transfers, and protocol backends.

Cyberduck uses modular components for the user interface, transfer engine, and protocol integrations. Each transfer or cloud connection can run in its own process to keep the UI responsive and to enable better error isolation during long operations.

Quick Fact: Cyberduck originated as an open-source FTP/SFTP client and expanded to support WebDAV and cloud storage with a focus on simplicity and cross‑platform compatibility.

Types of Cyberduck Processes

UI Process: Graphical user interface and window management
Transfer Engine: Handles file transfers (FTP/SFTP/WebDAV) and data streams
Cloud/Backend Connector: Protocols for cloud services and remote mounts
Background Sync: Background tasks such as folder polling or watcher services
Notification Helper: System notifications and status updates
Plugin/Extension Helper: Support components for optional features

Is cyberduck.exe Safe?

Yes, cyberduck.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Cyberduck downloaded from cyberduck.io or a trusted software repository.

Is cyberduck.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real cyberduck.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names. Always verify the file location and digital signature.

How to Tell if cyberduck.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Cyberduck\Cyberduck.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberduck\Cyberduck.exe. Any cyberduck.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer or Task Manager -> Open file location -> Right-click Cyberduck.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signer such as "iterate GmbH".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU per transfer/window, 40-220 MB total memory. Extremely high usage without active transfers is suspicious.
Behavior: Cyberduck should only run when you explicitly use the application or have background sync enabled. Persistent background processes without UI may indicate malware.

Red Flags: If cyberduck.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when Cyberduck isn't opened, has no valid digital signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files such as "cyberduck3.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is cyberduck.exe Running on My PC?

cyberduck.exe runs when Cyberduck is launched or when background features like watchers, cloud mounts, or transfers are active.

Reasons it's running:

Active Transfers: An ongoing FTP/SFTP/WebDAV transfer keeps the transfer engine process active
Background Sync: Cloud storage mounts or synchronized folders may run in the background
Startup Launch: Cyberduck is configured to start with Windows or user login
Folder Watchers: Local folders are being watched for changes to upload or mirror automatically
Notifications & Updates: Background tasks such as connection status notifications or auto-update checks may run

Can I Disable or Remove cyberduck.exe?

Yes, you can disable cyberduck.exe. It is safe to close Cyberduck when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different client.

How to Stop cyberduck.exe

End Individual Transfers: In Cyberduck, cancel active transfers or pause sync tasks
Close Application: Quit Cyberduck or use the system tray icon to exit
End All Processes: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find cyberduck.exe, right-click → End Task
Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Cyberduck
Stop Background Tasks: In Cyberduck Settings → General → disable "Run in background" or equivalent

How to Uninstall Cyberduck

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Cyberduck → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Cyberduck → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative clients: FileZilla, WinSCP, Transmit (macOS)

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If cyberduck.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Active Transfers: Pause or cancel long transfers; stagger batch operations to reduce peak usage
Background Sync Enabled: Review cloud mounts and disable unnecessary watchers in Cyberduck settings
Outdated Cyberduck Version: Update to the latest release from cyberduck.io
Large Local Folders Being Scanned: Exclude large folders or limit automatic uploads in settings
Resource-Heavy Plugins: Disable optional plugins or features not needed for your workflow
Network Drives and WebDAV Mounts: Disconnect unused mounts or reconfigure timeouts to reduce CPU load

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Cyberduck Task Manager or status to identify heavy transfers
2. Pause/Cancel large transfers and clear queued operations
3. Update to the latest Cyberduck release
4. Disable background sync in Settings
5. Restart Cyberduck or the computer if resource usage remains high

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cyberduck.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate cyberduck.exe from Cyberduck is not a virus. Verify the file location is in C:\Program Files\Cyberduck\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberduck\ and ensure a valid signature from iterate GmbH.

Why is cyberduck.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU can be caused by active transfers, large file uploads, or multiple simultaneous mounts. Use the Cyberduck Task Manager to identify the culprit and pause or cancel heavy tasks.

Can I delete cyberduck.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall Cyberduck via Windows Settings or Control Panel. Deleting the executable manually may leave partial traces; use the proper uninstall method to remove related files.

Can I disable cyberduck.exe?

Yes. You can close Cyberduck, disable startup, and turn off background operations in settings to prevent auto-running processes.

Why does Cyberduck start at login?

Cyberduck may be configured to start at login for convenience. Disable it in Task Manager > Startup or in Cyberduck settings to stop automatic launching.

Where is cyberduck.exe installed on Windows?

Typical locations are <code>C:\Program Files\Cyberduck\Cyberduck.exe</code> or <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberduck\Cyberduck.exe</code>. If you find it elsewhere, verify its legitimacy and signature.