Quick Answer
intellij.exe is safe. It's the JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA launcher that starts the Java-based IDE and manages plugins, indexing, and UI.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1\bin or C:\Program Files (x86)\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1\bin
Warning
Multiple processes may appear
IntelliJ uses a launcher process and separate JVM for the IDE; heavy indexing can spawn additional threads
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can disable startup indexing and optional features to reduce resource use
What is idea64.exe?
intellij.exe is the launcher for JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA, a Java-based Integrated Development Environment. The executable starts the IDE, loads the bundled JVM, and coordinates plugins, actions, and UI components when you launch IntelliJ.
idea64.exe launches the JetBrains platform JVM and orchestrates the IDE's modules, indexing, and plugin system; most tasks run within the single main process with multiple worker threads.
Quick Fact: IntelliJ IDEA uses a modular platform with lazy-loaded plugins; the idea64.exe launcher starts the JVM and loads essential components on demand.
Types of IntelliJ Processes
- Launcher Process: idea64.exe starts the IDE and loads JVM
- IDE Main Process: UI, project model, and tool windows
- Indexer/Background Task: Background indexing and code analysis
- Plugin Loader: Loads and manages plugins
- Compiler Thread: Build and compile tasks
- Live Share/Debugger: Remote or debugging features when active
Is intellij.exe Safe?
Yes, intellij.exe is safe when it's the legitimate JetBrains launcher downloaded from jetbrains.com or installed by your organization.
Is intellij.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real intellij.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade as JetBrains files; verify digital signature and location.
How to Tell if intellij.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1\bin\idea64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1\bin\idea64.exe.
- Digital Signature: Right-click idea64.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "JetBrains s.r.o.".
- Resource Usage: Normal idle usage is low; heavy CPU with indexing is expected during project refresh.
- Behavior: Idea64.exe should launch the IDE on demand; constant background running without a launcher is suspicious.
Red Flags: If intellij.exe is located outside JetBrains folders, lacks a valid signature, or runs at high CPU continuously when idle, scan with antivirus and compare with official JetBrains hashes.
Why Is intellij.exe Running on My PC?
intellij.exe runs when you start IntelliJ IDEA or when the IDE is performing background tasks like indexing or plugin initialization.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Project Editing: Opening a project or file triggers the IDE to load project structures, index code, and provide real-time analysis.
- Background Indexing: IDE analyzes code, caches symbols, and provides code completion; indexing runs in background to speed up operations.
- Plugins and Extensions: Enabled plugins may run as separate components that incur CPU/memory use during operations.
- Live Templates and Inspections: Code inspections, refactoring, and live templates execute in the background as you work.
- Build/Compilation: During project builds or incremental compilation, IntelliJ will spawn processes/threads to compile.
Can I Disable or Remove intellij.exe?
Yes, you can disable IntelliJ IDEA launching at startup or disable certain features. You can uninstall IntelliJ or adjust startup with Windows settings.
How to Stop intellij.exe
- Close IDE: Use File > Exit or click X to close all windows
- End Processes: In Task Manager, find idea64.exe and end task
- Disable Startup: Disable JetBrains Toolbox or IntelliJ from Windows Startup (if installed)
- Adjust Background Tasks: In IDE, disable 'Power Save Mode' or plugins that run in background
- Increase Performance: Increase IDE heap size: Help > Edit Custom VM Options; adjust -Xmx values
How to Uninstall IntelliJ IDEA
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA → Uninstall
- ✔ JetBrains Toolbox → Remove from list (if installed via Toolbox)
- ✔ Delete remaining configuration directories: C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\IntelliJIdea<version> and C:\Users\<User>\.<Configuration|Preferences>.
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If intellij.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Indexing large projects: Give indexing time, disable heavy inspections, or exclude folders via Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Excludes
- Too many open editors: Close unused editors or use Editor Tabs management.
- Heavy plugins: Disable or uninstall plugins from Settings > Plugins
- Insufficient memory allocation: Increase IDE heap size in Help > Change Memory Settings or vmoptions
- Outdated IDE: Update IntelliJ IDEA to latest version from JetBrains or use Toolbox
- CPU-bound build tasks: Use Power Save mode, disable automatic build on save, or configure Build Tools
Quick Fixes:
1. Wait for indexing to complete and monitor in Task Manager
2. Invalidate caches and restart: File > Invalidate Caches / Restart
3. Disable unused plugins: Settings > Plugins
4. Adjust memory: Help > Change Memory Settings
5. Disable processor-hungry features: Preferences > Build, Execution, Deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is intellij.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate intellij.exe from JetBrains is not a virus. Verify the file path is within C:\Program Files\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1\bin and that the digital signature shows JetBrains s.r.o.
Why is intellij.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU is usually caused by indexing, code analysis, or many plugins. Use the IDE's built-in profiler or Task Manager to locate the culprit and adjust indexing or disable plugins.
Can I delete intellij.exe?
You can uninstall IntelliJ IDEA via Windows Settings or JetBrains Toolbox. Your projects and settings are stored separately; you can reinstall later.
Can I disable intellij.exe?
Yes, you can close the IDE or disable startup/Background tasks in JetBrains Toolbox or Windows Startup settings.
Why is intellij.exe running at startup?
If you have JetBrains Toolbox or IntelliJ configured to start at system boot, it will launch intellij.exe on login. Disable from Toolbox or Windows Startup.
How do I reduce IntelliJ's memory usage?
Increase heap size within the IDE or in vmoptions, exclude large folders from indexing, and consider disabling unnecessary plugins.