Quick Answer
nylas-service.exe is safe. It is the official Nylas background service responsible for syncing mail, calendars, and contacts, running in the background with minimal UI impact.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Should be located in C:\Program Files\Nylas\Nylas Service\nylas-service.exe
Warning
Background tasks are normal
nylas-service.exe runs as a Windows service; multiple worker threads handle syncing in the background
Can I Disable?
YES
You can stop the service via Services.msc or disable at startup; syncing will pause
What is nylas-service.exe?
nylas-service.exe is the Windows background service for the Nylas desktop client. It runs without a UI to manage syncing of emails, calendars, and contacts with the Nylas cloud, handles authentication tokens, and updates local caches for fast access.
The service uses a multi-threaded architecture to perform background tasks, communicates with the Nylas client over a local IPC channel, and ensures data consistency while offline.
Quick Fact: Nylas maintains continuous background synchronization to keep your data up to date without requiring constant user interaction.
Types of Nylas Processes
- Service Process: Main Windows service handling background tasks and IPC with the Nylas client
- Sync Worker: Background thread that handles email/calendar synchronization
- Token Manager: Manages OAuth tokens for Nylas API access
- Cache Manager: Maintains local caches for quick data retrieval
- Update Monitor: Checks for updates to Nylas components and triggers updates
Is nylas-service.exe Safe?
Yes, nylas-service.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Nylas, signed by Nylas, Inc.
Is nylas-service.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real nylas-service.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may disguise itself with similar names.
How to Tell if nylas-service.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Nylas\Nylas Service\nylas-service.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Nylas\Nylas Service\nylas-service.exe. Any nylas-service.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click nylas-service.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Nylas, Inc." as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is ~0.5-4% CPU and 10-60 MB memory. Constant high usage or spikes when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Typically runs as a Windows service. If you see it running without a corresponding Nylas installation, investigate.
Red Flags: If nylas-service.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, or System32), runs without a valid startup entry, lacks a signature from Nylas, or shows persistent high resource use, scan with reputable antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like 'nylas-service32.exe'.
Why Is nylas-service.exe Running on My PC?
nylas-service.exe runs whenever the Nylas desktop client is active or Windows is configured to start the service automatically. It manages background synchronization and token management to keep data current.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Syncing: You have Nylas syncing emails, calendars, or contacts; the service runs to perform those tasks in the background.
- Background Tasks: Token refresh, push notifications, and webhook handling occur in the background via the service.
- Startup Service: If configured, the service starts with Windows to enable immediate syncing when you log on.
- Offline Caching: Local caches for emails and calendars are updated by the service to speed up access and offline availability.
- Update Checks: The service may check for updates to the Nylas components and apply them silently when appropriate.
Can I Disable or Remove nylas-service.exe?
Yes, you can disable nylas-service.exe. Stopping the service will pause syncing, and you can disable it from starting with Windows. Uninstalling Nylas will remove the service, but you may lose syncing functionality.
How to Stop nylas-service.exe
- End the Service: Open Services (services.msc), locate 'Nylas Service', and click Stop
- Disable Startup: In Services, set Startup type to Disabled for 'Nylas Service'
- Uninstall Nylas: Windows Settings > Apps > Nylas > Uninstall (or use Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program)
- Prevent Background Apps: In Nylas settings, disable background sync options if available to minimize activity after stopping the service
How to Uninstall Nylas
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Nylas → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Nylas → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your PC after uninstall
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If nylas-service.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large mailbox or heavy sync: Limit sync scope in Nylas app settings (folders, calendars) to reduce workload
- Frequent polling or push notifications: Adjust sync intervals or disable nonessential notifications in the Nylas client
- Outdated Nylas software: Update Nylas to the latest version from the official site or app
- Corrupted local cache: Clear Nylas cache or reset local data via the app settings or reinstall
- Third-party integrations: Disable or remove problematic integrations in Nylas settings
- Antivirus interference: Whitelist nylas-service.exe in your antivirus or security software
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Services and restart 'Nylas Service'
2. Update Nylas to the latest version
3. Clear Nylas cache or reset local data
4. Whitelist nylas-service.exe in antivirus
5. Adjust sync settings to reduce data load
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nylas-service.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate nylas-service.exe is not a virus. It is the official Nylas background service. Verify its location at C:\Program Files\Nylas\Nylas Service and that it is signed by Nylas, Inc.
Why is nylas-service.exe running when I don't use Nylas?
The service can run if Nylas is installed and configured to start at boot or if background syncing is enabled. If you do not use Nylas, consider disabling the service or uninstalling the application.
Can I disable nylas-service.exe permanently?
Yes. Stop the service in Services, set Startup type to Disabled, and uninstall Nylas if you no longer need it.
Where is nylas-service.exe located?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Nylas\Nylas Service\nylas-service.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Nylas\Nylas Service\nylas-service.exe. If found elsewhere, verify its legitimacy.
How do I uninstall Nylas or stop its service?
Uninstall via Windows Settings > Apps > Nylas > Uninstall, or use Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Nylas. Then restart your PC.
Is nylas-service.exe safe to terminate?
Terminating the process can pause syncing. It is safer to stop the Windows service or uninstall Nylas if you do not need its features.