Quick Answer
notion-updater.exe is safe. It's the official Notion Desktop Updater that checks for, downloads, and installs updates to keep Notion current and secure.
Is it a Virus?
\u2714 NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Notion\Notion Updater\notion-updater.exe
Can I Disable?
\u2714 YES - Notion won't auto-update; you may miss new features and security fixes
Disabling updater will stop automatic Notion updates and may leave you on an older version with potential security risks
What is notion-updater.exe?
notion-updater is the Notion Desktop application's updater component. It runs in the background, detects new Notion versions, downloads update packages from Notion's servers, and applies them to keep the client current with features and security improvements.
This updater coordinates with the Notion app to perform silent updates, uses a manifest to determine applicability, and supports rollback if an update fails to ensure integrity and continuity of your workspace.
Quick Fact: Notion Updater operates as a small background service that validates update packages with digital signatures before applying them.
Types of Notion Updater Processes
- Updater Service: Background service that checks for Notion updates at regular intervals
- Downloader: Downloads update packages securely from Notion servers via HTTPS
- Verifier Process: Validates digital signatures and package integrity before installation
- Installer: Applies the update to the Notion desktop app silently
- Notifier / Telemetry: Sends lightweight status notifications and logs errors
Is notion-updater Safe?
Yes, notion-updater is safe when obtained from official Notion sources (notion.so or the Notion installer). It updates the Notion app securely without compromising your data.
Is notion-updater a Virus or Malware?
The legitimate updater is NOT a virus. Malware can imitate file names. Always verify location and signature.
How to Tell if notion-updater is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Notion\Notion Updater\notion-updater.exe or C:\Program Files\Notion\Notion Updater\updater-service.exe. Any notion-updater elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Notion Labs, Inc." as the signer.
- Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 2-12% CPU and 50-180 MB memory. Consistent, unusually high resource use while idle is suspicious.
- Behavior:: Updater should run during update checks or startup. Persistent background activity outside update windows may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If notion-updater.exe is located outside the Notion folder (for example in AppData\Local, Temp, or System32), runs when Notion isn't open, lacks a valid digital signature, or shows unusual network activity, scan immediately.
Why Is notion-updater Running on My PC?
notion-updater runs to keep the Notion Desktop client current by checking for, downloading, and applying updates as they become available. It can operate in the background to minimize disruption.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Notion Usage: While you interact with Notion, the updater may check for updates and prepare installation paths for smoother releases.
- Background Auto-Updates: The updater runs in the background to fetch patches and install them when permitted by settings.
- Startup Launch: If Notion is configured to auto-update, the updater can start at Windows login to ensure timely patching.
- Scheduled Update Checks: Notion updates are checked at predefined intervals to align with release cycles.
- Background Telemetry: Minimal telemetry is used to report update status and diagnose update failures.
Can I Disable or Remove notion-updater?
Yes, you can disable notion-updater. This will stop automatic updates; Notion may become out-of-date. You can still update Notion manually by downloading the latest installer from notion.so.
How to Stop notion-updater
- End updater process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Processes tab → locate "notion-updater.exe" or similar → End Task
- Disable startup: Open Task Manager → Startup tab → right-click Notion Updater → Disable
- Check for services: If a Notion Updater service exists, open Services (services.msc) → Notion Updater → Stop and set Startup type to Disabled
- Turn off auto-update in Notion: Open Notion settings → Updates → turn off automatic updates if available
- Manual update option: When you want updates, run the official Notion installer to update Notion manually
How to Uninstall Notion Updater
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Notion Updater → Uninstall
- ✔ Notion Updater will be removed but Notion app remains installed
- ✔ Reinstall Notion Updater later if you want automated updates again
Common Problems: Update Failures and Resource Usage
If notion-updater is not updating or consumes high resources, try the following.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Network restrictions: Whitelist updater domains and allow specific ports; ensure TLS 1.2+ is enabled
- Insufficient disk space: Free up disk space in the system drive and retry update
- Antivirus or firewall interference: Add Notion Updater to allowlist and temporarily disable real-time protection during update
- Corrupted updater cache: Delete contents of C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Notion Updater\Cache and retry
- Outdated updater: Reinstall Notion from notion.so to obtain the latest updater
- Conflict with Notion settings: Reset Notion updates config and re-enable auto-update after verifying safety
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Task Manager and end high-CPU notion-updater tasks, then retry update
3. 2. Check internet connectivity and Notion server status
4. 3. Ensure Notion Updater is allowed through firewall/antivirus
5. 4. Clear updater cache/logs in AppData\Local\Notion Updater
6. 5. Update Notion manually by downloading the latest installer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is notion-updater safe?
Yes, notion-updater is safe when installed from official Notion sources; it updates the Notion Desktop app and should be located in the Notion Updater folder.
Does notion-updater update Notion automatically?
Yes. When enabled, it checks for updates in the background and applies them automatically or prompts for restart depending on settings.
Can I uninstall notion-updater without removing Notion?
Notion Updater is typically bundled with Notion. You can uninstall it from Apps & Features, but you may lose automatic updates for Notion.
Why is notion-updater running at startup?
To ensure Notion stays up-to-date, the updater may start at login if auto-update is enabled in settings.
How do I manually update Notion if the updater fails?
Download the latest Notion installer from notion.so and run it; it will update Notion and reinstall the updater component if needed.
Where is notion-updater located on Windows?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Notion\Notion Updater\notion-updater.exe; verify the path in Task Manager or File Explorer.
What resources does notion-updater use?
Typically around 2-12% CPU and 50-180 MB memory, depending on update activity and system load.