Quick Answer
gitk.exe is safe. It is the graphical history viewer bundled with Git for Windows; it invokes Git commands to render commits, diffs, and a graph of branches in a Tk-based GUI.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Git\gitk.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Git\gitk.exe
Warning
Multiple processes normal
gitk may spawn internal helper tasks and git command invocations while you navigate history
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close gitk when not in use; disable startup shortcuts or remove Git GUI integration if installed
What is gitk.exe?
gitk.exe is the executable component of the Gitk graphical history viewer that ships with Git for Windows. It provides a visual interface to browse commits, branches and diffs by invoking Git commands and rendering results in a Tk-based window.
gitk.exe launches a lightweight Tk GUI that uses git log, git show and related commands to render a commit graph, message diffs, and a file tree for a selected repository.
Quick Fact: Gitk predates many modern GUIs and remains a fast, low-overhead way to inspect repository history without leaving a terminal.
Types of Gitk Processes
- GUI Process: Main gitk window and user interface
- Data Retriever: Invokes git log, git show, and git diff to gather history data
- Diff Renderer: Renders side-by-side diffs in the viewer
- Graph Renderer: Draws the commit graph with branches and tags
- Settings/Helper: Loads color schemes, fonts and user preferences
Is gitk.exe Safe?
Yes, gitk.exe is safe when it comes from official Git for Windows distributions and is located at a legitimate path (e.g., C:\\Program Files\\Git\\gitk.exe).
Is gitk.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real gitk.exe is not a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names. Always verify file location and signature.
How to Tell if gitk.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Git\\gitk.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Git\\gitk.exe. Any gitk.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click gitk.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures -> should show "Git for Windows" as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-5% CPU and 20-60 MB memory. Unusually high or constant usage warrants a scan.
- Behavior: Gitk should run only when you explicitly launch it from a repository; unexpected auto-start is suspicious.
Red Flags: gitk.exe located outside the Git for Windows folder, missing a valid digital signature, or starting without user action are red flags; run antivirus and check for alternate git GUI tools.
Why Is gitk.exe Running on My PC?
gitk.exe runs when you open a Git repository with the Gitk history viewer or when a related UI triggers a history view. It queries repository data and renders a graphical history.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Gitk Session: You have gitk open and viewing a repository; the GUI stays active until you close it.
- Data Retrieval on Navigation: As you browse commits, gitk executes git log and git diff commands to refresh the view.
- Manual Launch: Launching gitk from a repository click or via a shortcut will start the process.
- Background Refresh (optional): If enabled, gitk may refresh data when the repository changes or when you trigger a refresh.
- Remote References: If the repository has remotes configured and you view remote branches, gitk may contact the local git server to fetch refs.
Can I Disable or Remove gitk.exe?
Yes, you can disable gitk.exe. It will not affect Git itself; you can close it when not in use, and remove Git GUI integration if you don't need it.
How to Stop gitk.exe
- Close gitk: Click the X button or choose File -> Exit to close the GUI.
- End gitk Task: Open Windows Task Manager, locate gitk.exe, right-click -> End Task.
- Prevent Startup: If a startup shortcut exists (Start Menu or Git GUI), delete or disable it.
- Prevent Auto-Launch: Do not configure repository actions to auto-launch gitk.
- Remove Git GUI Integration: During Git for Windows install, unselect Git GUI components if you don't need them.
How to Uninstall Git for Windows (and gitk.exe)
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Git for Windows -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Git for Windows -> Uninstall
- ✔ If you only want to remove gitk, remove the GUI components during reinstall or use a minimal Git install.
Common Problems: Gitk High CPU or Memory Usage
If gitk.exe consumes noticeable resources, try the following fixes tailored for the Gitk GUI.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large repository history: Open a smaller history view or limit results; consider using --since or --max-count in gitk initialization.
- Heavy diffs on large files: Disable or postpone diff rendering for large files, or filter to smaller paths.
- Missing Tcl/Tk runtime: Install the Tcl/Tk runtime bundled with Git for Windows or ensure Tcl/Tk is available in PATH.
- Multiple gitk instances: Close redundant gitk windows; ensure you don’t launch multiple repository views simultaneously.
- Outdated Git for Windows: Update Git for Windows to the latest version from https://git-scm.com and reinstall if needed.
- Antivirus scanning: Exclude gitk.exe from real-time scanning to prevent slowdowns or false positives.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused gitk windows and large diff panels
2. Update Git for Windows to the latest version
3. Ensure Tcl/Tk runtime is installed and accessible
4. Exclude gitk.exe from antivirus real-time scanning
5. Restart Git for Windows and reopen the repository with gitk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gitk.exe a virus?
No. The legitimate gitk.exe is part of Git for Windows and should reside in C:\\Program Files\\Git\\gitk.exe with a valid signature.
Why is gitk.exe using CPU when I’m not actively using it?
Gitk may perform background git commands to refresh views or fetch remote refs while open. If it’s idle, review open repositories and close unused gitk windows.
Can I delete gitk.exe?
You can uninstall Git for Windows to remove gitk.exe, but you’ll lose the GUI unless you install an alternative Git GUI.
How do I open gitk for a specific repository?
Navigate to the repository folder and run: gitk --all or gitk . from Git Bash or Command Prompt.
How do I uninstall Git for Windows and gitk?
Open Windows Settings -> Apps -> Git for Windows -> Uninstall, or use Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program. Reboot afterward.
Why are there multiple Git GUI tools like gitk and gitg?
Git provides various GUIs; gitk is Tcl/Tk-based, while others may be based on Qt or Electron. Choose the one that fits your workflow.