Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Should originate from an official GlassFish distribution at a path like C:\GlassFish\bin\glassfish.exe
Warning
Typically a single JVM per domain
If you see unexpected multiple glassfish.exe instances, verify domain setup and startup scripts; look for multiple domains or misconfigured services
Can I Disable?
YES
Stop the GlassFish domain via asadmin stop-domain or stop service, then disable the Windows service or startup script
What is glassfish.exe?
glassfish.exe is the Windows executable that starts the GlassFish Server domain. It launches the JVM, binds to ports, deploys Java EE applications, and exposes admin interfaces. This process runs as part of a GlassFish domain instance and typically is started via asadmin, a Windows service, or a startup script.
GlassFish runs as a domain-based Java EE server; glassfish.exe starts the JVM for a given domain, loading configuration, web apps, and services, and coordinating lifecycle, deployment, and remote management via the admin console.
Quick Fact: GlassFish uses domain-based architecture; a single domain can host multiple apps, while separate domains isolate configurations and deployments.
Types of GlassFish Processes
- GlassFish Server Process: Main JVM instance for a GlassFish domain
- HTTP Connector Process: Web server listener and request handling inside the JVM
- JMX/Admin Process: Administrative interfaces and management tasks
- JDBC/Driver Loader: JDBC drivers and native bridges loaded by the JVM
- Background Worker: Asynchronous tasks and scheduler services within the domain
- Garbage Collector: JVM memory management running within the process
Is glassfish.exe Safe?
Yes, glassfish.exe is safe when it comes from an official GlassFish distribution and is signed by the appropriate project sponsor (Eclipse Foundation or Oracle).
Is glassfish.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real glassfish.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; always verify sources.
How to Tell if glassfish.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Ensure glassfish.exe is at C:\GlassFish\bin\glassfish.exe (adjust for your install).
- Digital Signature: Right-click glassfish.exe in Explorer or Task Manager -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show the project signer (Eclipse Foundation or Oracle).
- Resource Usage: Normal usage shows CPU on demand during deployment; idle CPU is low. Memory usage varies with domain size.
- Behavior: GlassFish should run under a valid domain startup. Unsolicited background start or silent auto-launch without a service is suspicious.
Red Flags: If glassfish.exe is located outside the GlassFish install directory, lacks a valid digital signature, or starts without a domain, scan for malware and verify the installation source.
Why Is glassfish.exe Running on My PC?
glassfish.exe runs to host and serve Java EE applications within a GlassFish domain, and can also be started as a Windows service or via asadmin. It may persist while the domain serves apps.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Domain Execution: You have a running GlassFish domain handling deployed apps and admin requests.
- Background Administrative Tasks: Admin console and JMX tasks may keep a persistent JVM instance for management.
- Auto-Start Service: The GlassFish domain or service is configured to start automatically on boot.
- Multiple Domains: Running more than one GlassFish domain can spawn separate glassfish.exe processes.
- Domain Health Checks: Health checks, deployment scanning, and scheduled jobs may keep the process active.
Can I Disable or Remove glassfish.exe?
Yes, you can disable glassfish.exe. It's safe to stop the domain when not in use, and you can remove GlassFish by deleting the installation or uninstalling via the OS package manager if installed as a service.
How to Stop glassfish.exe
- Stop Domain via asadmin: Run: asadmin stop-domain --d <domain-name>
- Stop Windows Service: In Services, find GlassFish service and stop it
- Stop via Admin Console: Use the Admin Console to stop apps and domain gracefully
- Disable Auto-Start: Open Windows Services and set GlassFish service to Disabled; or remove startup scripts
- Prevent Background Run: If you started as a Windows service, ensure service is disabled on boot
How to Uninstall GlassFish
- ✔ Delete the GlassFish installation directory (e.g., C:\GlassFish)
- ✔ If installed via a Windows installer, use Apps & Features or Programs and Features to uninstall
- ✔ Remove any Windows service wrappers and clean up domain data from domains/ and config/
Common Problems: GlassFish Performance and Deployments
If glassfish.exe shows issues, review domain logs and configuration. The following are common problems and practical fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Domain heap too small: Increase Java heap size in domain.xml or set JAVA_OPTS in startup script to a higher -Xmx value.
- Too many deployed apps or large WARs: Uninstall unused apps and optimize WARs; consider domain resources to limit deployment concurrency.
- Connection pool exhaustion: Tune JDBC connection pools in glassfish-resources.xml and verify database connectivity.
- Port conflicts: Check server ports (e.g., 8080) and another service using the same port; adjust domain ports.
- Misconfigured domain: Review domain.xml, config directories; consider recreating domain if config is corrupt.
- Disk I/O bottlenecks: Ensure sufficient disk performance, monitor GC pauses, and consider upgrading storage or increasing heap tuning.
Quick Fixes:
1. Review logs in domains/domain1/logs/server.log
2. Restart domain after config changes
3. Increase heap with -Xmx in JAVA_OPTS
4. Disable unused deployments via Admin Console
5. Update GlassFish to the latest patch level
Frequently Asked Questions
Is glassfish.exe a virus?
No, glassfish.exe is legitimate when it comes from an official GlassFish distribution and is located under the GlassFish installation directory (e.g., C:\GlassFish\bin\glassfish.exe).
Why is glassfish.exe using a lot of CPU?
CPU usage usually rises during deployment, runtime application processing, or heavy admin tasks. Check the Admin Console, review deployed apps, and monitor via server.log for hotspots.
Can I delete glassfish.exe?
Yes, uninstall GlassFish by removing the installation directory or via OS package management, but ensure you back up domains and config first.
Can I disable glassfish.exe from starting automatically?
Yes, disable the Windows service or remove startup scripts. You can also disable auto-start in the Services control panel.
How do I check GlassFish logs?
Logs are in C:\GlassFish\domains\domain1\logs (server.log and domain logs). Use tail -f or a log viewer to monitor events.
How do I deploy apps to GlassFish?
Use the Admin Console or asadmin deploy commands to deploy WAR/EAR files. Ensure resources (datasources, JDBC pools) are configured first.