Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\GitKraken\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\GitKraken\
Warning
Common for crash reporters
The reporter may spawn a small process to collect data; it's not user data exfiltration.
Can I Disable?
YES
Disable crash reporting in GitKraken Settings or terminate the gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe process.
What is gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe?
gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe is a lightweight crash-reporting utility bundled with GitKraken that runs in the background to capture crash data when the application encounters an error. It collects logs, environment details, and a crash dump to help the GitKraken team diagnose issues and improve reliability.
Technically, it runs as a small native executable that gathers a dump, process state, module versions, and OS information at failure, then securely forwards the diagnostic bundle to GitKraken servers for analysis and faster fixes. It uses minimal privileges.
Quick Fact: GitKraken's crash reporter is designed to impact the host app as little as possible while collecting essential diagnostics.
Types of GitKraken Processes
- Crash Reporter Process: Standalone binary that captures crash data
- Launcher Helper: Initial launcher to start the crash reporter when needed
- Telemetry Connector: Module responsible for sending diagnostics to GitKraken servers
- Background Service: Runs with minimal privileges to monitor for failures
Is gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe Safe?
Yes, gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe is safe when it originates from the official GitKraken installer or update package.
Is gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; always verify signature and location.
How to Tell if gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\GitKraken\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\GitKraken\, with the exact filename gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show signer 'GitKraken' or 'Axosoft'.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low; monitor in Task Manager: Processes tab look for gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe; unusual high CPU is suspicious.
- Behavior: It should only run as needed to collect a crash; if it starts by itself when GitKraken isn't used or runs for long periods, investigate.
Red Flags: If the file is outside GitKraken's installation folders, lacks a valid signature, runs when you haven't opened GitKraken, or shows unexpected resource usage, scan with antivirus and verify digital signatures.
Why Is gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe Running on My PC?
The crash reporter runs to capture and upload diagnostics when GitKraken crashes or when the app is configured to report telemetry. It can also start briefly during startup or background operations to prepare for potential failures.
Reasons it's running:
- Active GitKraken Usage: While GitKraken is open, the crash reporter remains ready to capture a crash and collect context.
- Recent Crash Detected: If GitKraken recently crashed, the reporter will start to gather a diagnostic bundle.
- Background Crash Reporting Enabled: If you enable crash reporting, it runs in the background to automate data collection.
- Startup or Windows Launch: If configured, it may launch at Windows startup to be ready for a crash.
- Updates or Maintenance Mode: During GitKraken updates or maintenance cycles, the reporter may initialize to ensure crash data compatibility.
Can I Disable or Remove gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe?
Yes, you can disable the crash reporter. In GitKraken's Settings under Privacy or Crash Reporting, toggle off; you can also end the process and, if desired, uninstall GitKraken to remove all components.
How to Stop gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe
- Disable Crash Reporting: Open GitKraken → Settings → Privacy → Crash Reporting and toggle off
- End the Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe, right-click > End Task
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable GitKraken
- Check for Residual Items: Verify there are no startup shortcuts or scheduled tasks launching the reporter
- Reinstall if Needed: If issues persist, reinstall GitKraken to reset components
How to Uninstall GitKraken (and its crash reporter)
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → GitKraken → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → GitKraken → Uninstall
- ✔ If you only want to remove the crash reporter component, run the GitKraken installer again and choose Modify to disable crash reporting components (if offered)
- ✔ Restart your computer after uninstall
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe is consuming disproportionate resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Frequent GitKraken crashes: Update GitKraken to the latest version and review crash logs. If crashes persist, consider temporarily disabling crash reporting.
- Background crash reporting enabled: In GitKraken Settings, disable Crash Reporting to stop continuous data collection when not needed.
- Malware masquerading as the reporter: Verify the file location and digital signature; run a full antivirus scan.
- Startup entries left behind: Disable startup for GitKraken in Task Manager and remove any related shortcuts.
- Corrupted installation: Repair or reinstall GitKraken from the official website.
- Network uploads causing spikes: Temporarily disable crash report uploads or limit network usage in system settings; ensure a stable connection.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open GitKraken Settings → Privacy → Crash Reporting and disable if not needed
2. Open Task Manager and end gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe if it's consuming resources
3. Update GitKraken to the latest version
4. Disable startup entry for GitKraken in Task Manager
5. Run a full system antivirus scan to rule out malware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate gitkraken-crash-reporter.exe from GitKraken is not a virus. Verify its location at C:\Program Files\GitKraken\ and ensure the digital signature comes from GitKraken/Axosoft.
Why is it running even when I haven’t used GitKraken recently?
If crash reporting is enabled, or if GitKraken performed a crash and is preparing a diagnostic bundle, the reporter may run briefly to gather data.
Can I delete or disable it without losing data?
Yes. You can disable crash reporting in GitKraken settings or uninstall GitKraken. Local repository data is stored separately and is not typically removed by disabling the reporter.
Where are crash reports stored or sent?
Crash reports are stored temporarily in GitKraken's crash-report directory and are uploaded to GitKraken servers for analysis when connectivity allows.
Does disabling crash reporting affect support?
Disabling crash reporting may limit the automated diagnostic data available to the GitKraken team, but you can still contact support and provide logs manually.
Can I disable startup or remove the crash reporter separately from GitKraken?
Yes. You can disable GitKraken startup, end the reporter process, and optionally uninstall GitKraken if you no longer need it.