Quick Answer
darktable.exe is safe. It is the official executable for the darktable photo workflow suite. It uses modular processing, non-destructive editing, and may spawn helper processes for previews, exporting, and OpenCL tasks.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\darktable\darktable.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\darktable\darktable.exe
Warning
Many processes normal
darktable launches multiple helpers (preview, export, GPU) as separate lightweight processes
Can I Disable?
YES
Close darktable when not editing; disable startup or background tasks if supported by settings
What is darktable.exe?
darktable.exe is the core executable for the Darktable open-source photo workflow application. It launches the graphical user interface, coordinates non-destructive editing modules, manages color management and raw processing, and delegates heavy tasks to helper processes for previews, rendering, and exports across supported platforms.
Darktable uses a modular processing stack and non-destructive editing pipeline. The executable coordinates modules, handles I/O for RAW files and sidecar data, and leverages GPU/OpenCL when available to accelerate rendering while preserving the original data.
Quick Fact: Darktable was designed as an open-source alternative with a non-destructive workflow, emphasizing modular processing and flexible color management.
Types of Darktable Processes
- Main GUI Process: The primary darktable window and user interface (1 instance)
- Preview/Render Process: Generates previews and renders edits for display
- Export Processor: Handles batch exporting and format conversions
- OpenCL/GPU Acceleration: GPU-accelerated rendering when available
- Module/Plugin Process: Individual modules and plugins loaded as needed
- Background Tasks/Cache Maintenance: Background cache and housekeeping tasks
Is darktable.exe Safe?
Yes, darktable.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from the official darktable project downloaded from darktable.org or official distribution sources.
Is darktable.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real darktable.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may masquerade under similar names; verify the file source and signature.
How to Tell if darktable.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\darktable\darktable.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\darktable\darktable.exe. Any darktable.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click darktable.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a publisher like "The darktable Project" or official signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 3-15% CPU and 120-500 MB memory. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Darktable should run when invoked by user. Persistent background activity when not opened may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If darktable.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, System32), runs without user action, lacks a valid signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Look for similarly-named files like "darktable-cli.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is darktable.exe Running on My PC?
darktable.exe starts when you launch the Darktable application or when background processing tasks are enabled, such as previews, exports, or OpenCL rendering.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Editing Session: You are actively editing or viewing images; each operation may spawn a dedicated process for stability.
- Background Export Tasks: Export tasks or batch processing run in parallel to preserve interactivity.
- Startup Auto-Launch: Darktable is configured to start automatically when Windows starts or when a user logs in.
- Cache and Preview Generation: Darktable maintains caches and generates previews for fast subsequent viewing.
- OpenCL/GPU Tasks: GPU-accelerated rendering may run to expedite processing when a compatible GPU is present.
Can I Disable or Remove darktable.exe?
Yes, you can disable darktable.exe. You can close the application when not editing, disable startup, and uninstall if you no longer need it.
How to Stop darktable.exe
- End Active Editing: Close darktable windows or use the Exit command to terminate the GUI
- Close Background Tasks: In settings, disable background previews and automatic exports if available
- End All Processes: Open Task Manager, locate darktable.exe, and End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Darktable
- Disable Background Apps: Settings → Advanced → System → Disable background processing
How to Uninstall Darktable
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Darktable → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Darktable → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative editors: RawTherapee, Lightzone, or RawZoom
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If darktable.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Many images or large exports in progress: Close unnecessary image panels, limit concurrent exports, and use smaller output sizes
- Resource-Heavy Modules: Disable unused modules in the darktable processing stack via the module manager
- OpenCL/GPU Issues: Update GPU drivers or disable OpenCL acceleration in Settings → Performance
- Outdated Darktable Version: Update to the latest darktable release to benefit from performance fixes
- Large Cache or Thumbnails: Clear cache and thumbnails; move cache location to an SSD if possible
- Corrupted Catalog: Backup and rebuild the catalog; consider reimporting libraries if necessary
Quick Fixes:
1. Press Esc to exit fullscreen panels and reduce rendering load
2. Clear cache and reset thumbnails from Preferences
3. Disable unnecessary modules or plugins in darktable
4. Update darktable to the latest version
5. Ensure OpenCL is configured correctly or disabled if unstable
Frequently Asked Questions
Is darktable.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate darktable.exe is the official executable from the Darktable project. Verify the path is C:\Program Files\darktable\darktable.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\darktable\darktable.exe and that the signature matches the Darktable project.
Why is darktable.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU usage is usually due to heavy editing, exporting, or GPU-accelerated rendering. Check the Export queue and active modules, then reduce open panels or disable unnecessary processing.
Can I delete or uninstall darktable.exe?
Yes. Uninstall via Windows Settings → Apps or Control Panel. Your edits may be stored in a library; you can retain or delete the library as needed and reinstall later from darktable.org.
How do I disable darktable from starting automatically?
Disable startup entry in Task Manager → Startup tab by turning off Darktable. This will stop automatic launches but does not remove the application.
Where is darktable installed on Windows?
Typically in C:\Program Files\darktable or C:\Program Files (x86)\darktable. You may also install per-user in a custom directory if chosen during setup.
How can I speed up darktable performance?
Update to the latest release, enable Memory/Cache optimizations, disable unused modules, ensure OpenCL is functioning or disable it if unstable, and consider using a fast SSD for cache/export directories.