Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\kitty or C:\Program Files (x86)\kitty. Genuine signatures show the Kitty Project.
Warning
Usually a small number of kitty.exe processes
Kitty may spawn separate processes for each window or feature module (Kittens) depending on configuration.
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Kitty to stop sessions; disable startup entry to prevent auto-launch.
What is kitty.exe?
kitty.exe is the Windows executable for the Kitty Terminal Emulator, a GPU-accelerated, cross-platform terminal. Kitty renders text with ligatures, supports images and inline graphics, and groups sessions into windows. It’s designed for speed, smooth scrolling, and modern fonts across high-DPI displays.
Kitty uses a Qt-based rendering pipeline with GPU acceleration to deliver fast text rendering and smooth scrolling. It supports multiple windows, font ligatures, images, and sixel graphics, while keeping resource usage lean through a modular, client/server-like architecture.
Quick Fact: Kitty emphasizes GPU-accelerated rendering and modular features via “Kittens” for extended capabilities like image previews.
Types of Kitty Processes
- Main Process: Controls the Kitty UI, session management, and coordinates windows.
- Renderer Process: Renders terminal content, fonts, colors, and input handling for each window.
- GPU Renderer: Performs GPU-accelerated rendering tasks to speed up text and graphics.
- Kittens Module: Dynamically loaded feature modules for image previews and special effects.
- Image/Graphic Handler: Decodes and displays inline images or sixel graphics within the terminal.
- Background Watcher: Watches configuration changes and hot-reloads settings without restarting sessions.
Is kitty.exe Safe?
Yes, kitty.exe is safe when downloaded from official sources (https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/ or the official Windows release).
Is kitty.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real kitty.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes uses similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if kitty.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\kitty\kitty.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\kitty\kitty.exe. Any kitty.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from the 'Kitty Project' or maintainer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-7% CPU per window, 20-150 MB RAM total. Constant, high usage across the system is suspicious.
- Behavior: Kitty should only run when you launch it. If Kitty runs without a visible window or starts on its own, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If kitty.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Kitty isn't open, has no valid digital signature, or uses excessive resources continuously, scan with antivirus. Watch for similarly-named files like "kitty32.exe".
Why Is kitty.exe Running on My PC?
kitty.exe runs when you open the Kitty Terminal Emulator or when Kitty is configured to run in the background through startup or session restoration.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Kitty Session: You have Kitty open; each window maintains its own renderer and input loop.
- Background Tasks: Kitty kittens or plugins (like image previews) may run components in the background to support features.
- Startup Launch: Kitty is configured to start automatically when Windows starts.
- Session Restore: Kitty restores previous windows and sessions after a restart, keeping panes and tabs intact.
- Configuration Changes: Live config reloads or dynamic feature loading can briefly keep kitty.exe active during changes.
Can I Disable or Remove kitty.exe?
Yes, you can disable kitty.exe. It's safe to close Kitty when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different terminal.
How to Stop kitty.exe
- End Individual Windows: In Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate kitty.exe, and End Task for active windows.
- Close Kitty: Click the X button on all Kitty windows to shut down the app.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Kitty Terminal Emulator.
- Stop Background Features: If you use startup options or config-driven features, disable automatic session restoration in Kitty settings.
- Stop Extensions/Kittens: Disable or uninstall optional Kittens modules that may run in background.
How to Uninstall Kitty
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Kitty Terminal Emulator → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features → Kitty Terminal Emulator → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative terminals: Windows Terminal, ConEmu, or Alacritty
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If kitty.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Windows or Tabs Open: Close unused Kitty windows or tabs; each window uses rendering resources.
- Resource-Heavy Kittens or Extensions: Disable unnecessary Kittens/modules in Kitty settings or plugin manager.
- Graphics/Driver Issues: Update GPU drivers; consider disabling GPU acceleration in kitty.conf if problems persist.
- Inline Images or Sixels: Temporarily disable image support or limit inline graphics in Kitty configuration.
- Outdated Kitty Version: Update to the latest Kitty release from the official site.
- Misconfigured Font Rendering: Choose lighter fonts or adjust font rendering settings to reduce CPU work.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused Kitty windows and check the Kitty process list in Task Manager
2. Update Kitty to the latest release from https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/
3. Disable or remove unnecessary Kittens/modules
4. Update GPU drivers or disable hardware acceleration in Kitty if needed
5. Review kitty.conf for features like images and complex rendering and simplify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kitty.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate kitty.exe from the Kitty Project is not a virus. Verify the file is located at C:\Program Files\kitty\kitty.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\kitty\kitty.exe and check the digital signature from the Kitty Project.
Why is kitty.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU usually comes from rendering heavy content, many open Kitty windows, or active inline graphics. Use Kitty's task manager, update drivers, and reduce image use or close unnecessary windows.
Can I delete kitty.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall Kitty through Windows Settings > Apps. Your terminal profiles may be removed; you can reinstall Kitty later from the official site if needed.
Can I disable kitty.exe?
Yes. Close Kitty to stop it, and disable any startup entry in Task Manager to prevent automatic launch.
Why is kitty.exe running at startup?
Kitty may be configured to launch at Windows startup for quick access. Disable it in Task Manager > Startup tab to prevent automatic startup.
How do I reduce Kitty's memory usage?
Close unused windows, disable heavy Kittens, update Kitty, and consider enabling lighter font rendering or reducing inline image usage.