Quick Answer
groove.exe is safe. It’s the Groove Music Player from Microsoft, using a modular, multi-process design to manage playback, library data, and background tasks while keeping the UI responsive.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_* and named GrooveMusic.exe
Warning
Multiple Groove processes normal
Groove runs UI, playback, library, and background services in separate processes
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Groove Music to free resources; disable startup in Task Manager if desired
What is groove.exe?
groove.exe is the executable for the Groove Music app on Windows. Groove uses a modular, multi-process design to separate playback, library management, UI, and background services, which helps with stability and performance.
Groove architecture divides tasks into distinct processes, reducing cross-process crashes and enabling background playback controls while the main UI remains responsive.
Quick Fact: Groove Music originated as a Windows media app and continues to use a multi-process model to handle streaming, downloads, and catalog management.
Types of Groove Processes
- UI Process: Main user interface and controls
- Playback Process: Audio playback engine and streaming
- Library Service Process: Catalog, playlists, and metadata
- Background Task Process: Background updates and notifications
- Downloader/Sync Process: Downloads and cloud sync
- Artwork/Metadata Process: Artwork fetch and metadata parsing
Is groove.exe Safe?
Yes, groove.exe is safe when it's the legitimate Groove Music file from Microsoft downloaded from official sources (WindowsApps path or Microsoft Store).
Is groove.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real groove.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may mimic the name. Verify location and signature.
How to Tell if groove.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.19012.10219.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\GrooveMusic.exe or similar, not in Temp or AppData.
- Digital Signature: Right-click GrooveMusic.exe in Windows Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show Microsoft Corporation.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU, 60-300 MB memory. Excessive constant usage outside Groove activity is suspicious.
- Behavior: Groove.exe should run when Groove Music is active or scheduled tasks run; not foreground-only activity when the app is closed.
Red Flags: If groove.exe is found in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Local, or System32), runs when Groove isn't active, lacks a valid signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus.
Why Is groove.exe Running on My PC?
groove.exe runs when you start Groove Music or when background playback, library syncing, or notifications are enabled. It may also run when Windows resumes from sleep to maintain media state.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Playback: Groove is actively playing audio or maintaining a streaming session; the process handles decoding and output.
- Background Sync: Library metadata and cloud sync with your Microsoft account may keep Groove processes alive.
- Startup and Resume: Groove may launch at Windows startup or when resuming from hibernate to restore the last session.
- Notifications and Tiles: Background tasks for toast notifications about new playlists or recommendations may keep groove.exe running.
- Background Media Service: A dedicated service handles media streaming and download tasks even when the main UI is not in focus.
Can I Disable or Remove groove.exe?
Yes, you can disable groove.exe. It's safe to close Groove Music when not in use, and you can uninstall the app or disable startup if you prefer.
How to Stop groove.exe
- Close Groove UI: Close Groove Music from the taskbar or Start menu
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate GrooveMusic or GrooveMusicBackground, end the tasks
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Groove Music
- Manage Background Apps: Settings > Privacy > Background apps > Turn Groove Music off
- Signal for Updates: Windows Update may reinstall; avoid enabling automatic Groove updates if you wish to keep it deprecated
How to Uninstall Groove Music
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Groove Music -> Uninstall
- ✔ Settings -> Apps -> Optional Features -> Groove Music -> Remove
- ✔ Consider alternatives: Spotify, VLC, or other local players
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If groove.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- High Library Activity: Large music library with many metadata fetches can spike CPU. Disable background syncing or rebuild library.
- Background Sync: Disable cloud sync or sign out to limit network activity while troubleshooting.
- Outdated Groove Version: Update Groove Music from Windows Update or Settings -> Update & Security.
- Corrupted Cache: Clear Groove cache via Settings -> Apps & Features -> Groove Music -> Advanced options -> Reset.
- Metadata Fetch: Disable automatic metadata fetch; re-scan library as needed.
- Background Playback: Disable background playback in Settings if not needed; ensure no other apps consume audio resources.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Groove Music task manager and identify heavy tasks
2. Clear cache and reset Groove Music settings
3. Disable background sync in Settings
4. Check for Windows Updates and Groove updates
5. Consider alternative lightweight players for large libraries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is groove.exe a virus?
No, groove.exe is the legitimate Groove Music executable from Microsoft. Verify its location in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.19012.10219.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe and ensure a Microsoft signature.
Why is groove.exe using so much CPU?
If Groove is performing heavy tasks, it may be syncing metadata, playing streaming audio, or indexing your library. Use Task Manager to identify the exact module and limit background tasks.
Can I delete groove.exe?
You can uninstall Groove Music through Windows Settings -> Apps. Deleting the file manually is not recommended. You can replace Groove with another music player.
Can I disable groove.exe?
Yes, disable Groove Music at startup or close the app. Use Task Manager > Startup to disable it from launching automatically, or disable background tasks in Settings.
Why does Groove Music keep opening on startup?
Groove may be set to start with Windows or resume a previous session. Disable startup entry or disable Fast Startup for Groove to prevent automatic launch.
How do I reduce Groove's memory usage?
Limit the library size, disable background services, clear cache, and ensure you’re on a current Windows update. Consider alternate players if the library is very large.