Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in Program Files\Meld\Meld.exe
Warning
Manual or automated diffs
Meld runs per comparison or merge; multiple instances may appear during active use
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Meld when not in use; disable auto-launch if configured by your OS or IDE integration
What is meld.exe?
meld.exe is the Windows executable for the Meld diff and merge tool. Meld offers side-by-side file and directory comparisons, supports two- and three-way merges, and highlights changes with color-coded diffs for easy code review and patching.
Meld uses a GTK-based GUI; on Windows, meld.exe manages the UI, loads selected files or folders, and orchestrates the diff/merge operations with the underlying algorithms and patch support.
Quick Fact: Meld pioneered structured visual diffs and three-way merges; its user-friendly interface helps teams review changes quickly.
Types of Meld Processes
- Main GUI Process: Launcher and primary window for a diff/merge session
- Difference Renderer: Renders side-by-side diffs and highlights changes
- Three-Way Merge Helper: Manages merge conflicts across three inputs
- Directory Comparison: Recursive folder comparisons for whole project diffs
- External Editor Bridge: Integration hooks with version control or IDEs
Is meld.exe Safe?
Yes, meld.exe is safe when obtained from official sources (the Meld project site or trusted package managers) and located at the expected path on Windows.
Is meld.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real meld.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade as Meld; verify signature and location.
How to Tell if meld.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Meld\Meld.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Meld\Meld.exe. Any meld.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click Meld.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "The Meld Project".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is light; heavy CPU or memory when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Meld should only run during explicit diff/merge operations or via IDE integration.
Red Flags: If meld.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when not asked, has no digital signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Watch for similarly named files like "meld32.exe".
Why Is meld.exe Running on My PC?
meld.exe runs when you start a diff/merge session, or when an IDE, Git client, or file watcher triggers a Meld comparison.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Merge or Diff Session: You have an open Meld session or a compare operation in progress.
- IDE or VCS Integration: Integrated tooling launches Meld for diffs/merges from IDEs or Git clients.
- Background Directory Scans: Meld may monitor folders being compared; changes can re-open or refresh views.
- Git Rebase or Patch Review: During patch review or rebase, Meld can be invoked by the tooling.
- Startup or Shell Integration: Meld may be configured to auto-launch for quick diffs from the file manager or shell extension.
Can I Disable or Remove meld.exe?
Yes, you can disable meld.exe. Close Meld and remove or disable any integrations; you can uninstall Meld via Settings or the installer.
How to Stop meld.exe
- Close Sessions: Close all Meld diff/merge windows
- Exit the Application: Exit Meld from the File menu
- Disable Startup or Associations: Disable any shell integration or startup options in your environment
- Disable IDE/VCS Hooks: In IDE or Git client, disable Meld as the diff/merge tool
- Uninstall Meld: Use Windows Settings → Apps → Meld → Uninstall
How to Uninstall Meld
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Meld → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Meld → Uninstall
- ✔ Reinstall Meld from meldmerge.org or your package manager
Common Problems: Slowness or Crashes
If meld.exe misbehaves or slows down during large diffs:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Very Large Diffs or Directories: Use targeted file diffs or limit directory comparisons; consider excluding heavy folders.
- Missing GTK Runtime: Ensure required GTK components are installed; reinstall Meld from official source.
- Outdated Meld Version: Update Meld to the latest release from meldmerge.org or your package manager.
- Conflicting Extensions or Hooks: Disable IDE or shell integrations that interfere with Meld.
- Corrupt Configuration: Reset Meld settings or delete config files in user profile; backup first.
- Resource Contention: Close other heavy apps; ensure sufficient memory and CPU for Meld operations.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close large sessions and re-open a smaller diff
2. Update Meld and dependencies
3. Check IDE/integration settings for Meld
4. Reset Meld preferences if issues persist
5. Run Meld from a fresh profile
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meld.exe safe and legitimate?
Yes—when obtained from official Meld sources and located in the proper Morg path, meld.exe is safe. Verify the path and signature.
Why is meld.exe using CPU when idle?
Idle Meld should use minimal CPU. Spikes usually come from active diffs, file watchers, or integration hooks.
How do I configure Meld with Git?
Set Meld as the diff/merge tool in Git config (git config --global diff.tool meld; git config --global merge.tool meld) and ensure meld is in PATH.
Can I uninstall Meld without losing data?
Yes, uninstall Meld will remove the application; your diffs are stored as files unless you saved sessions within Meld; check your project directories.
Where is Meld installed on Windows?
Commonly in C:\Program Files\Meld or C:\Program Files (x86)\Meld. Confirm the exact path from your installer log or Start Menu shortcut.
How can I reset Meld to default settings?
Within Meld, use Preferences or delete the user profile folder (e.g., C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Meld) after backing up configurations.