google-photos-backup.exe

Google Photos Backup Utility

Application ProcessSafeBackup Tool

CPU Usage

2-12%

Memory

60-200 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup

Publisher

Google LLC

Quick Answer

google-photos-backup.exe is safe. It's Google's official backup utility that monitors your local photo library and uploads new or changed images to Google Photos according to your settings.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup

Warning

Many processes normal

Each backup task + sync job may spawn separate processes

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Pause backups in the app or disable startup to stop automatic operations

What is google-photos-backup.exe?

google-photos-backup.exe is the executable for the Google Photos Backup Utility on Windows. It scans specified local photo folders, monitors for new or changed images, and uploads them to Google Photos according to your backup settings. It can run in the background to keep your photo library continuously synced and protected without manual intervention.

This backup component runs as a background service and queue-based uploader. It handles retries, metadata tagging, and conflict resolution to avoid duplicates, preserving album structure while syncing photos to Google Photos.

Quick Fact: Google Photos Backup uses a scheduled, event-driven approach to minimize duplicate uploads and conserve bandwidth while keeping your library up to date.

Types of Google Photos Backup Processes

Backup Orchestrator: Main service coordinating scans, queues, and uploads
Folder Scanner: Watches configured directories for changes
Uploader: Transfers files to Google Photos with metadata
Metadata Processor: Attaches albums, timestamps, and tags
Conflict Resolver: Handles duplicates and conflicting edits

Is google-photos-backup.exe Safe?

Yes, google-photos-backup.exe is safe when obtained from Google sources and installed through official Google backup apps.

Is google-photos-backup.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real google-photos-backup.exe is not a virus. Malware may disguise itself with similar names.

How to Tell if google-photos-backup.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup\google-photos-backup.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\PhotosBackup\google-photos-backup.exe. Any google-photos-backup.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Google LLC".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-12% CPU idle; 60-200 MB memory. Extremely high or constant usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Google-photos-backup.exe should run primarily during backups or scheduled operations. Persistent background activity with no backup plan is suspicious.

Red Flags: If google-photos-backup.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when no backup is scheduled, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software. Beware of similarly-named files like "photos-backup.exe" or "photosbackup.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is google-photos-backup.exe Running on My PC?

google-photos-backup.exe runs to keep your local photo library synchronized with Google Photos. It may operate even when the main UI is closed, depending on settings and schedules.

Reasons it's running:

Active Backup Operation: Backups are actively uploading photos to Google Photos as changes are detected.
Scheduled Backups: Backup tasks run on a timer or scheduled interval, even if you are not actively using the app.
Background Sync: The utility monitors folders for changes and queues updates to upload when connected.
Startup and Background Service: Configured to start with Windows or run as a background service to ensure continuous protection.
Network or Power Conditions: Backups may resume or throttle based on network availability, bandwidth, and power settings.

Can I Disable or Remove google-photos-backup.exe?

Yes, you can disable google-photos-backup.exe. You can pause backups in the app, disable startup, or uninstall the backup utility.

How to Stop google-photos-backup.exe

Pause backups in the UI: Open the Google Photos Backup Utility from the Start Menu, go to Settings → Backup & Sync, and toggle Pause.
Disable startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Google Photos Backup → Disable
Stop background tasks: If shown in Task Manager, end the google-photos-backup.exe process or stop related services
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Google Photos Backup → Uninstall
Prevent background runs: Task Scheduler → Google Photos Backup tasks → Disable or Delete

How to Uninstall Google Photos Backup

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Google Photos Backup → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Google Photos Backup → Uninstall
✔ Delete leftover folders: C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup and C:\Users\Public\Documents\Google Photos Backup

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If google-photos-backup.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Initial backup of a large library: Pause the initial run or schedule a gradual backup, and exclude folders with very large files if needed.
Many files being uploaded concurrently: Limit concurrent uploads in the settings or pause some folders during peak usage.
Background sync enabled: Temporarily disable background sync and monitor resource usage after resuming.
Outdated software: Update Google Photos Backup to the latest version via Settings → About.
Firewall or network throttling: Ensure port 443 is allowed and firewall rules permit outbound HTTPS traffic for the backup tool.
Corrupted cache or database: Reset cache or reinstall the backup utility to restore a clean state.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open the Chrome-like backup UI via Start Menu and inspect the active backup tasks
2. Pause or resume backups as needed
3. Update the backup app to the latest version
4. Disable unnecessary folders from backup in Settings
5. Ensure network stability and firewall allow

Frequently Asked Questions

Is google-photos-backup.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate google-photos-backup.exe is a Google-provided component for backing up local photos to Google Photos. Verify its location at C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup and ensure a Google LLC digital signature.

Where is google-photos-backup.exe installed?

Typically in C:\Program Files\Google\PhotosBackup\google-photos-backup.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\PhotosBackup\google-photos-backup.exe, installed as part of Google Photos Backup Utility.

How do I pause or stop backups?

Open the Google Photos Backup Utility settings and toggle Pause, or disable startup via Task Manager → Startup. You can also uninstall the tool if you no longer need it.

Can I choose which folders to back up?

Yes. In the backup settings, select which local folders to monitor and back up. You can exclude large media folders or specific subfolders to manage bandwidth and resources.

Does it back up to Google Photos or Google Drive?

It backs up to Google Photos and is often integrated with Google Drive or Photos metadata. Review your account settings to confirm destination and backup scope.

Will disabling or uninstalling affect existing photos?

Disabling stops new backups, but existing photos already uploaded remain in Google Photos. Uninstalling removes the local app, but cloud copies depend on prior sync.