gitkraken.exe

What is gitkraken.exe?

gitkraken.exe is the Windows executable for the GitKraken Desktop Client. It launches the Electron-based GUI that lets you clone, commit, merge, and manage Git repositories with visual tools and a modern interface.

GitKraken runs as an Electron app, spawning a Main Process and multiple Renderer Processes to render the UI and handle Git operations. It leverages a GPU process for rendering and background tasks for updates and syncing with remotes.

Types of GitKraken Processes

• Main Process: Controls the application window, menus, and lifecycle events
• Renderer Process: Renders the UI for each repository tab or pane
• GPU Process: Handles hardware-accelerated rendering
• Background/Updater Process: Performs background tasks like updates and data syncing
• Extension/Integration Process: Manages optional integrations within GitKraken
• Utility Process: Supports miscellaneous background tasks and networking

Is gitkraken.exe Safe?

Yes, gitkraken.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Axosoft, downloaded from the official GitKraken site or installed via trusted channels.

Is gitkraken.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real gitkraken.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade as similar names, so verify the path and signature.

How to Tell if gitkraken.exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\GitKraken\GitKraken.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\GitKraken\GitKraken.exe. Any gitkraken.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
2. Digital Signature: Right-click GitKraken.exe Open file location Right-click GitKraken.exe Properties Digital Signatures. Should show "Axosoft, Inc.".
3. Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU, 120-550 MB memory per window when active. Unusually high usage when idle is suspicious.
4. Behavior: GitKraken should run when you open the app. If you see it running without user action, check startup items and background tasks.

Why Is gitkraken.exe Running on My PC?

GitKraken loads when you start the app or when it performs background tasks like auto-fetch, repo indexing, or update checks.

Reasons it's running:

• Active GitKraken Session: You have GitKraken open with repositories loaded; each window or tab can spawn multiple renderer processes.
• Background Repositories Sync: Auto-fetch, pull, and remote tracking operations run in the background to keep data current.
• Startup Programs: GitKraken is configured to launch on Windows startup, causing gitkraken.exe to run after login.
• Update Checks: The updater process checks for and downloads new versions, often running briefly in the background.
• Indexing and Searching: Large repositories may trigger indexing tasks to enable fast search and graph rendering.

Can I Disable or Remove gitkraken.exe?

Yes, you can disable gitkraken.exe. You can close GitKraken when not in use and disable startup to prevent auto-launch.

How to Stop gitkraken.exe

• End Active Sessions: In GitKraken, close all open repositories or use File > Exit to terminate the app gracefully.
• Close Application: Click the X button or select File > Exit to stop all processes.
• Disable Startup: Windows Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable GitKraken
• Prevent Background Apps: GitKraken Settings > General > Disable "Continue running in background when closed"
• Uninstall: Windows Settings > Apps > GitKraken > Uninstall (to remove the app completely)

How to Uninstall GitKraken

• ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → GitKraken → Uninstall
• ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → GitKraken → Uninstall
• ✔ After uninstall, remove leftover config files under C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\GitKraken if desired

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If gitkraken.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

• Large number of repositories or tabs loaded: Close unused repositories or tabs; consider using the search and filtering features to reduce active views
• Background repository indexing: Wait for indexing to complete; ensure you’ve updated to the latest version with performance improvements
• Outdated GitKraken version: Update GitKraken to the latest version from Help > Check for Updates
• Heavy Git operations in flight: Pause or cancel long-running operations; avoid running multiple large fetch/clone tasks concurrently
• Resource-heavy extensions or integrations: Disable or remove unnecessary integrations in GitKraken settings
• Hardware acceleration issues: Settings > Performance > Disable hardware acceleration if you encounter flickering or high GPU load

Related Processes