Quick Answer
evernote.exe is safe. It's the main executable for the Evernote desktop client, designed to run as a multi-process application for note syncing, UI rendering, and local data management.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Evernote\Evernote.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote.exe
Warning
Many processes normal
Evernote may spawn separate processes for syncing, indexing, and UI rendering
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Evernote to stop the processes, or disable startup in Windows Task Manager
What is evernote.exe?
evernote.exe is the executable for the Evernote desktop client. It runs as a multi-process application to support note creation, syncing, indexing, and UI rendering. You may see multiple evernote.exe processes in Task Manager, each handling different tasks such as notebooks, syncing, and updates.
Evernote uses a modular architecture where the main app coordinates rendering, syncing, and data storage. The desktop client communicates with the cloud to sync notes and notebooks, while local databases handle offline access.
Quick Fact: Evernote's desktop architecture uses separate processes for UI, sync, and data indexing to improve stability and responsiveness.
Types of Evernote Processes
- App Process: Main Evernote window and user interface (1 instance)
- Renderer Process: UI rendering for notes, notebooks, and search
- Sync Process: Background synchronization with Evernote servers
- Database Process: Local note storage and search indexing
- Update Process: Auto-update checks and application updates
- Tray/Background Process: System tray launcher and background tasks
Is evernote.exe Safe?
Yes, evernote.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Evernote downloaded from official sources (evernote.com or the official Evernote installer).
Is evernote.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real evernote.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if evernote.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Evernote\Evernote.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote.exe. Any evernote.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Evernote Corporation".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-8% CPU per process, 120-420 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when Evernote is closed is suspicious.
- Behavior: Evernote.exe should run when you launch the app. If it runs constantly without a user-initiated launch, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If evernote.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Evernote 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 "evernote.exe" or "evernote32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is evernote.exe Running on My PC?
evernote.exe runs when you open the Evernote desktop client or when Evernote is set to run in the background.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Note-Taking and Sync: You're actively working with notes; the app maintains up-to-date notebooks by syncing changes to the cloud.
- Background Sync and Indexing: Evernote indexes notes for fast search and syncs changes in the background to the cloud.
- Startup and Background Running: Evernote is configured to start at login or remain running to monitor changes and notify on updates.
- Offline Accessibility: Local cache and databases ensure notes are available offline; processes run to manage this data.
- Update Checks: The client periodically checks for updates and may download patches even when not actively used.
Can I Disable or Remove evernote.exe?
Yes, you can disable evernote.exe. You can close the app when not in use, and uninstall it if you prefer another note-taking solution.
How to Stop evernote.exe
- Exit Evernote: Close the application from the system tray or File → Exit
- End Individual Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate evernote.exe, right-click → End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Evernote
- Pause Sync: In Evernote Preferences, disable auto-sync or pause syncing
- Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Evernote → Uninstall
How to Uninstall Evernote
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Evernote → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Evernote → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternatives: OneNote, Notion, Bear, or Simplenote
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If evernote.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Notes Open or Indexed: Close unnecessary notes, let Evernote finish syncing, or limit folders being indexed in Preferences.
- Background Sync Overhead: Pause syncing temporarily and check network usage; re-enable when needed.
- Outdated App: Update Evernote to the latest version from the official site or within the app.
- Corrupted Local Database: Use Evernote's built-in repair or repopulate cache by clearing local data if available, or reinstall.
- Conflicting Extensions or Plugins (if using integrations): Disable or remove conflicting integrations from Preferences.
- Hardware Acceleration: Toggle hardware acceleration off in Preferences → General or System settings.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Evernote Task Manager (if available) to identify heavy notes or notebooks
2. Pause or resume sync to measure CPU impact
3. Restart Evernote, then check for updates
4. Clear cache or local data (as per Evernote instructions)
5. Update to the latest version
Frequently Asked Questions
Is evernote.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate evernote.exe from Evernote is not a virus. However, always verify the file is located in C:\Program Files\Evernote\Evernote.exe and has a valid digital signature from "Evernote Corporation".
Why is evernote.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU usage is typically caused by heavy note syncing, indexing, or large notebooks. Use Evernote Task Manager (or check the app's Sync status) to identify the source, pause sync if needed, and ensure you’re on the latest version.
Can I delete evernote.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall Evernote via Windows Settings → Apps, but you will lose local notes unless they’re synced with your account. You can reinstall from evernote.com if needed.
Can I disable evernote.exe?
Yes, you can close Evernote or disable startup in Task Manager. To stop background activity, pause sync in the app settings.
Why does Evernote start on Windows startup?
If Evernote is set to launch at login, it will start automatically. Disable via Task Manager → Startup tab to stop automatic startup.
Where are my Evernote notes stored on my PC?
Notes are primarily stored in Evernote's local data directory within the app's sandbox. For portable installs or certain configurations, the path can vary; always ensure you are syncing to the cloud to avoid data loss.