grammarly.exe

Grammarly Desktop Application

Application ProcessSafeWriting Assistant

CPU Usage

2-15%

Memory

100-350 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Grammarly

Publisher

Grammarly, Inc.

Quick Answer

grammarly.exe is safe. It's Grammarly's official desktop application that provides real-time writing suggestions by analyzing text locally and through Grammarly's cloud services.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\Grammarly\Grammarly.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Grammarly uses a background service for real-time checks; not unusual to have multiple helper processes

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

You can sign out or disable Grammarly features in the app; closing the app stops the service.

What is grammarly.exe?

grammarly.exe is the executable for the Grammarly Desktop Application. It runs a background service to enable real-time writing suggestions across supported apps (word processors, email clients, and browser editors) by intercepting text input, sending it securely to Grammarly servers for analysis, and returning suggestions to the UI.

Grammarly's desktop component runs a local service plus cloud checks. It integrates with apps to provide grammar, spelling, and style improvements as you type, while honoring user privacy and configurable data sharing settings.

Quick Fact: Grammarly introduced desktop integration to extend its writing assistance beyond browser-only use, enabling cross-app editing.

Types of Grammarly Processes

Launcher Process: Starts Grammarly at login and manages update checks
Editor/Checker Process: Core text analysis engine that communicates with the cloud
Background Sync: Synchronizes preferences and writing data with Grammarly account
UI Helper: Provides in-app suggestions in supported editors
Telemetry/Update: Sends anonymous usage data and handles updates

Is grammarly.exe Safe?

Yes, grammarly.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Grammarly downloaded from official sources (grammarly.com or official Microsoft Store distribution).

Is grammarly.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real grammarly.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can disguise itself with similar names; verify signatures and location.

How to Tell if grammarly.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Grammarly\Grammarly.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Grammarly\Grammarly.exe. Any grammarly.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click grammarly.exe in File Explorer → More options → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Grammarly, Inc.".
Resource Usage: Running Grammarly typically uses modest CPU (1-8%) and memory (50-150 MB) idle; spikes during heavy typing indicate activity.
Behavior: Grammarly should only run when the app is active or the desktop service is enabled. Unexpected background activity warrants a malware check.

Red Flags: If grammarly.exe is located in temporary folders, shows no signature, or continually runs without Grammarly installed, scan with antivirus. Look for similarly named files like "grammarlys.exe".

Why Is grammarly.exe Running on My PC?

grammarly.exe runs when you use Grammarly-enabled apps or when the desktop service is configured to start at login. It may also run for background checks and data synchronization.

Reasons it's running:

Active Writing Assistance: You are actively editing text in a supported app; Grammarly analyzes and suggests improvements in real time.
Background Sync and Preferences: Grammarly synchronizes your settings, dictionaries, and writing preferences with your Grammarly account.
Startup Service: Grammarly may start at Windows login to provide immediate suggestions.
Document Upload and Processing: Some apps trigger document checks or clipboard-based grammar checks even when not editing directly.
Offline/Online Modes: The desktop client may perform checks offline and/or fetch updated rules from the cloud when online.

Can I Disable or Remove grammarly.exe?

Yes, you can disable grammarly.exe. You can sign out, disable Grammarly features, or uninstall Grammarly if you no longer need it.

How to Stop grammarly.exe

Quit Application: Close Grammarly via system tray icon or main window.
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Grammarly.
Pause Background Tasks: In Grammarly settings, disable background checks and syncing.
End Processes: Open Task Manager, find grammarly.exe, End Task.
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Grammarly → Uninstall.

How to Uninstall Grammarly

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Grammarly → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Grammarly → Uninstall
✔ Restart your computer after uninstallation

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If grammarly.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Documents/Editors Open: Close unused editors; Grammarly checks multiple documents simultaneously; reduce open items.
Background Sync Heavy Data: Limit or pause syncing in Grammarly settings; disable auto-sync when on limited bandwidth.
Outdated Grammarly Version: Update Grammarly to the latest version from Settings → About → Check for updates.
Conflicting Extensions or Apps: Disable other text-editing plugins that may conflict with Grammarly.
Poor Network Connectivity: Stable internet required for cloud checks; switch to a reliable network.
Corrupt User Data/Profile: Reset Grammarly profile or reinstall if persistent issues occur.

Quick Fixes:
1. Quit and relaunch Grammarly
2. Restart the PC to clear stuck processes
3. Check for updates and install
4. Disable non-essential real-time checks in settings
5. Run antivirus scan if unexpected CPU spikes persist

Frequently Asked Questions

Is grammarly.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate grammarly.exe is a component of Grammarly's desktop app. Verify location: C:\Program Files\Grammarly\Grammarly.exe and a valid Digital Signature from Grammarly, Inc.

Why is grammarly.exe using CPU?

Grammarly analyzes text in real time and communicates with Grammarly servers; high CPU can be due to heavy document editing, network issues, or a misbehaving extension.

Can I delete grammarly.exe?

You can uninstall Grammarly from Windows Settings → Apps; your saved writing data may be preserved in your Grammarly account if you sync.

Can I disable grammarly.exe?

Yes, disable Grammarly in the app or stop its startup; you can End Task via Task Manager and turn off background checks.

Why does grammarly.exe start at startup?

If Grammarly is set to launch on login or if the helper service is configured to start automatically to provide features immediately.

How do I reduce Grammarly's resource usage?

Close unused editors, disable unnecessary checks, ensure you have latest version, and ensure a stable network for cloud checks.

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Microsoft Word with Grammarly for Office integration