filecoauth.exe

FileCoAuth Service

Background ServiceSafeFile Collaboration

CPU Usage

1-20%

Memory

60-300 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\FileCoAuth

Publisher

FileCoAuth, Inc.

Quick Answer

filecoauth.exe is safe. It is the desktop client’s background service that enables real‑time file collaboration and background synchronization.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\FileCoAuth\\filecoauth.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Background tasks are expected for active collaboration and update checks

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disabling stops background syncing; you can re-enable by restarting FileCoAuth or re-enabling in startup

What is filecoauth.exe?

filecoauth.exe is the executable for the FileCoAuth background service that powers real‑time collaboration and secure synchronization for shared documents. It runs as a separate process to support authentication, session coordination, and background tasks without blocking the user interface.

FileCoAuth utilizes a modular, multi‑process design to isolate authentication, sync, and UI tasks. The background service communicates with cloud storage and local caches to maintain consistency and security during co‑authoring sessions.

Quick Fact: FileCoAuth was built to run as a background service to reduce UI interruptions during live collaboration.

Types of FileCoAuth Processes

Service Process: Background service that maintains authentication and session management (1+ instances)
Worker Process: Handles synchronization, conflict resolution, and document updates
Updater Process: Checks for and applies client updates from FileCoAuth servers
Sync Engine: Real-time synchronization with connected cloud storage
Notification Process: Delivers status notices and alerts to the user
Utility Process: Health checks, cleanup tasks, and background telemetry

Is filecoauth.exe Safe?

Yes, filecoauth.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from FileCoAuth downloaded from official sources (official FileCoAuth installer or trusted software distribution).

Is filecoauth.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real filecoauth.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may mimic legitimate file names to avoid detection.

How to Tell if filecoauth.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\FileCoAuth\\filecoauth.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\FileCoAuth\\filecoauth.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "FileCoAuth, Inc."
Resource Usage: Typical usage is 1-20% CPU, 60-300 MB memory. Unusually high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Should run as part of the FileCoAuth client. Running when the app isn't installed or without user action is a red flag.

Red Flags: If filecoauth.exe is located in unrelated folders (Temp, AppData\\Roaming, or System32), runs without a user action, lacks a digital signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus software. Watch for similarly named files like "coauth.exe".

Why Is filecoauth.exe Running on My PC?

filecoauth.exe runs to support the FileCoAuth client’s real‑time collaboration, authentication, and background synchronization. It may start when Windows boots or when you open a FileCoAuth session.

Reasons it's running:

Active Collaboration Session: You're actively working on a shared document; the process maintains locks, diffs, and session state.
Background Synchronization: The app syncs local edits with the cloud to keep teammates up to date.
Startup Launch: FileCoAuth is configured to start with Windows for quick access to files.
Update Checks: The updater component periodically checks for new versions and applies patches.
Notification and Health Tasks: It runs background tasks to deliver notifications and monitor client health.

Can I Disable or Remove filecoauth.exe?

Yes, you can disable filecoauth.exe. Stopping or uninstalling the FileCoAuth client will stop this background service.

How to Stop filecoauth.exe

End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager → Details → find filecoauth.exe and End Task
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable FileCoAuth
Disable Background Mode: FileCoAuth Settings → General → Uncheck 'Run in background' or 'Launch at startup'
Uninstall Client: Windows Settings → Apps → FileCoAuth → Uninstall
Restart System: Reboot to ensure changes take effect

How to Uninstall FileCoAuth

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → FileCoAuth → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → FileCoAuth → Uninstall
✔ After uninstall, reboot and remove remaining AppData entries if needed

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If filecoauth.exe is consuming excessive resources, try targeted fixes to preserve system responsiveness.

Common Causes & Solutions

Active collaboration with many concurrent edits: Close unused document sessions or reduce concurrent collaborators; ensure network connection is stable.
Memory leaks in a stale sync: Restart the FileCoAuth client and clear cached data in settings
Resource-heavy extensions or plugins: Disable unnecessary extensions within FileCoAuth or system-wide checks.
Outdated software: Update to the latest FileCoAuth client version via the updater
Antivirus interference: Whitelist filecoauth.exe or add FileCoAuth to trusted programs
Hardware acceleration issues: Disable hardware acceleration in FileCoAuth settings if available

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end heavy filecoauth.exe tasks
2. Restart FileCoAuth client
3. Update to the latest version
4. Clear application cache via FileCoAuth settings
5. Disable unnecessary background tasks within the app

Frequently Asked Questions

Is filecoauth.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate filecoauth.exe from FileCoAuth is not a virus. Verify the path C:\Program Files\FileCoAuth\filecoauth.exe and a valid digital signature from "FileCoAuth, Inc.".

Why is filecoauth.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usage typically comes from active real-time collaboration or heavy document synchronization. Use FileCoAuth Task Manager in-app or Windows Task Manager to identify the culprit and take action.

Can I delete filecoauth.exe?

You can uninstall the FileCoAuth client from Windows Settings or Control Panel. Deleting the file directly may leave the app in an inconsistent state.

Can I disable filecoauth.exe?

Yes. Turn off startup in Task Manager, or disable Run in background in FileCoAuth settings. Then uninstall if you no longer need the service.

Why does filecoauth.exe start with Windows?

If FileCoAuth is configured to run at startup, the service will launch automatically to ensure quick access when you sign in.

How do I reduce memory usage by filecoauth.exe?

Close unused documents, limit concurrent sessions, update to the latest version, and use in-app memory management features if available.