Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Should be located in C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3\\bin or within the IDE installation directory
Warning
Lightweight background task
Sync runs periodically or on IDE events; not a full IDE process
Can I Disable?
YES
Disable in IDE Settings > Settings Sync or by turning off sync features in the IDE
What is intellij-sync.exe?
intellij-sync.exe is a dedicated JetBrains executable that coordinates the synchronization of IDE settings, plugins, themes, keymaps, and configurations between IntelliJ IDEA installations on local machines or across your JetBrains account. It activates when Settings Sync is enabled and communicates with JetBrains services to apply preferences.
It runs as a small background process that coordinates with JetBrains cloud or local repositories to fetch and apply user preferences, ensuring consistent development environments across IDE installations.
Quick Fact: IntelliJ Settings Sync first appeared as an integrated feature to unify user preferences across devices and IDE instances.
Types of IntelliJ Sync Processes
- Sync Manager: Orchestrates the synchronization workflow (1 instance)
- Config Retriever: Fetches user settings from JetBrains account or local repository
- Conflict Resolver: Handles conflicts between local and remote settings
- Cache Cleaner: Manages cached sync data
- Telemetry Handler: Optional data collection for sync diagnostics
- Background Listener: Listens for IDE events to trigger sync
Is intellij-sync.exe Safe?
Yes, intellij-sync.exe is safe when it is from JetBrains and installed via official IDE distributions (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA).
Is intellij-sync.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real intellij-sync.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade with similar names, so verify the path and signature.
How to Tell if intellij-sync.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3\\bin\u0000 or within the IDE installation directory; avoid Temp or AppData locations.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file at C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3\\bin\\intellij-sync.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show JetBrains s.r.o.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU, 40-180 MB memory during sync; persistently higher usage outside sync actions is suspicious.
- Behavior: Should run primarily during active settings sync events or when the IDE triggers a sync task.
Red Flags: If intellij-sync.exe is located in unexpected folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), lacks a signature, or runs constantly without IDE activity, scan with antivirus. Beware of similarly named files such as "idea-sync.exe" or "intellij-sync32.exe".
Why Is intellij-sync.exe Running on My PC?
intellij-sync.exe runs when you use IntelliJ IDEA with Settings Sync enabled or when IDE events trigger a synchronization cycle.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Sync Session: An active Settings Sync operation is in progress or awaiting user confirmation.
- IDE Startup: IDE launches the Sync Manager during startup to fetch latest configurations.
- Background Sync: Settings updates from JetBrains account or shared workspace are pulled in background.
- Plugin/Theme Changes: New plugins, themes, or keymaps trigger a sync to propagate changes.
- Conflict Resolution: The system is reconciling differences between local and remote settings after a change.
Can I Disable or Remove intellij-sync.exe?
Yes, you can disable intellij-sync.exe. Disabling Settings Sync will stop automatic synchronization, but you can still use the IDE locally.
How to Stop intellij-sync.exe
- Disable Settings Sync: In IntelliJ IDEA, Settings/Preferences > Settings Sync, uncheck Enable Sync.
- Disable IDE Background Tasks: In Windows, disable the related service or task if present; otherwise keep IDE closed during sync.
- Prevent Startup: Remove IntelliJ launcher from Windows startup via Task Manager > Startup and disable.
- Manual Sync Only: Trigger sync manually from the IDE Settings dialog when you need it.
- Stop Background Apps: In IDE, disable telemetry or diagnostics that may trigger sync-related tasks.
How to Uninstall IntelliJ Sync Tools
- ✔ Uninstall the JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ IDEA) from Windows Settings > Apps to remove the built-in sync features.
- ✔ Use JetBrains Toolbox to manage IDE components and disable Sync feature per IDE profile.
- ✔ If needed, uninstall the IDE entirely and reinstall without enabling Settings Sync.
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If intellij-sync.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Frequent Sync Triggers: Limit sync frequency in IDE settings or disable non-essential sync options.
- Large Settings Repository: Limit the scope of sync to needed settings; prune large plugins or caches.
- Frequent IDE Restarts: Ensure proper shutdown of IDE to allow clean sync cycles; avoid forced restarts.
- Corrupted Settings Cache: Clear the sync cache from the IDE or delete the cache folder in %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA%.
- Network Latency: Check network and retry; sync may hang under poor connectivity.
- Outdated Synced Profiles: Update to the latest IDE version; ensure you are on a supported sync schema.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open IntelliJ IDEA and go to Settings/Preferences > Settings Sync to review enabled items
2. Disable unnecessary sync targets (e.g., themes, keymaps) to reduce load
3. Update IntelliJ IDEA to the latest version
4. Clear cache for IntelliJ: Invalidate Caches / Restart
5. Restart IDE and monitor for recurrence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is intellij-sync.exe part of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA?
Yes, intellij-sync.exe is typically part of the IntelliJ Settings Sync feature, installed with the IDE binaries (bin folder) to manage cross-device settings.
Why is intellij-sync.exe running when the IDE is closed?
If Settings Sync is set to run in the background, the executable may still be scheduled to perform maintenance tasks or sync on a timer; otherwise, it should not run heavily.
Can I disable intellij-sync.exe without breaking IDE?
Disabling Sync stops cross-device settings propagation but does not affect core IDE functionality; you can re-enable anytime.
Where is intellij-sync.exe located on Windows?
Typical location is C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3\\bin\\intellij-sync.exe or within the corresponding IDE installation directory.
How do I know if intellij-sync.exe is legitimate?
Check digital signature from JetBrains s.r.o. and confirm the file path matches the IDE installation; avoid files in Temp or AppData that lack signatures.
What should I do if intellij-sync.exe causes high memory usage?
Review active sync targets, disable nonessential items in Settings Sync, and update to the latest JetBrains IDE which improves sync efficiency.