Groovy Script Engine
groovy.exe is safe. It is the Windows launcher for the Groovy scripting language runtime that runs on the JVM to execute Groovy scripts from the command line or IDEs.
groovy.exe is the Windows launcher for the Groovy scripting language runtime. It starts a Java Virtual Machine and loads the Groovy engine so you can execute Groovy scripts from the command line or IDEs. Groovy adds dynamic typing, closures, and DSLs on the JVM, compiling scripts to bytecode for execution.
groovy.exe delegates script execution to the Groovy compiler and runtime inside the JVM. It parses Groovy sources, compiles to bytecode, and runs with Java interop and dynamic features, including closures and DSL support.
Quick Fact: Groovy's scripting integrates tightly with the JVM, enabling concise syntax and fast scripting while reusing existing Java libraries.
Yes, groovy.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from the Groovy project downloaded from official sources (groovy-lang.org) or packaged by a trusted IDE. As with any executable, verify signature.
The real groovy.exe is NOT a virus but malware can mimic names. Always verify location and signature.
C:\Program Files\Groovy\Groovy-3.x\bin\groovy.exe or C:\Groovy\Groovy-3.x\bin\groovy.exe. Any groovy.exe elsewhere is suspicious.Red Flags: If groovy.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when no scripts are initiated, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "groovyw.exe" or "groovy.exe.bak" from untrusted sources.
groovy.exe runs to interpret and execute Groovy scripts when you launch the language from the command line, an IDE, or through build tools that embed Groovy DSLs. It may also stay active if a Groovy-based task is configured to run in the background.
Reasons it's running:
Yes, you can disable groovy.exe. If Groovy is not required, uninstall Groovy from Windows Settings or remove its distribution from PATH. Some IDEs or CI tools may re-install Groovy, so remove those components if you want to stop groovy.exe.
If groovy.exe exhibits issues, consider the following scenarios and fixes.
Quick Fixes:
1. Terminate the offending Groovy task in your terminal or IDE
2. Check GROOVY_HOME and PATH for correctness
3. Split large DSL scripts into smaller modules
4. Update Groovy to the latest stable release
5. Limit memory with GROOVY_OPTS or JVM -Xmx settings
Yes, groovy.exe is safe when sourced from the official Groovy distribution or an IDE bundle. Verify the file path in C:\Program Files\Groovy and check the digital signature.
Groovy.exe runs to execute Groovy scripts via the CLI, IDE, Gradle build scripts, or CI pipelines. If you don’t use Groovy, inspect installed tools and disable/uninstall.
You can uninstall Groovy from Windows Settings or Control Panel. Deleting groovy.exe alone may leave the runtime behind; use the uninstaller to remove it completely.
Yes. Remove Groovy from startup tasks or uninstall the Groovy distribution. IDEs and CI tools may invoke Groovy on startup, so disable or reconfigure those integrations.
Identify the script, reduce complexity, and allocate appropriate JVM memory with -Xmx or GROOVY_OPTS. Ensure Java version compatibility and sufficient RAM.
Use Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Groovy → Uninstall, or Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Groovy. Remove related environment variables afterward.