obs64.exe / obs.exe

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)

Application Process Safe Multimedia / Streaming & Recording

CPU Usage

20-60%

Memory

300-2000 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

OBS Project

Quick Answer

obs64.exe is safe and legitimate. It's the main executable for OBS Studio, a free open-source streaming and recording software used by millions of content creators for Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\obs-studio\bin

Resource Usage

HIGH when streaming

20-60% CPU, 300MB-2GB RAM when active

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close OBS or uninstall if not needed

What is obs64.exe?

obs64.exe (or obs.exe for 32-bit systems) is the main executable file for OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software), a free and open-source streaming and recording application. OBS Studio is the industry-standard software used by content creators, streamers, and professionals to broadcast live streams to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming, and to record high-quality video content.

When you open OBS Studio to stream or record, obs64.exe handles video capture from multiple sources (webcams, game windows, desktop screens), audio mixing, video encoding, and transmission to streaming platforms. The process is resource-intensive by design because it performs real-time video encoding, which requires significant CPU and GPU power, especially when streaming at high resolutions (1080p, 4K) or high frame rates (60fps).

Quick Fact: OBS Studio is used by millions of streamers worldwide and is completely free with no paywalls or subscription fees. The "64" in obs64.exe indicates it's the 64-bit version, which can utilize more system memory than the 32-bit obs.exe version.

Is obs64.exe Safe?

Yes, obs64.exe is completely safe when it's the legitimate OBS Studio application downloaded from the official website (obsproject.com) or trusted sources like the Microsoft Store.

Is obs64.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real obs64.exe is NOT a virus. OBS Studio is a legitimate, open-source application trusted by millions of users worldwide. However, malware can disguise itself with similar names or replace the legitimate file.

How to Tell if obs64.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\obs-studio\bin\32bit\obs.exe. Any obs64.exe elsewhere (especially in Temp folders, AppData, or System32) is highly suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures tab. Should show "OBS Project" or "Hugh Bailey" as the verified publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 20-60% CPU when streaming/recording, idle when not in use. Constant high usage when OBS is closed is suspicious.
Behavior: Should only run when you manually open OBS Studio. If it starts automatically without you launching it, investigate further.

Red Flags:

obs64.exe in wrong location (not in Program Files\obs-studio)
Running when OBS Studio isn't open
Unsigned or signed by unknown publisher
Excessive network activity to unknown servers (not streaming platforms)
Multiple instances running simultaneously

Why Is obs64.exe Running on My PC?

obs64.exe runs because you (or someone with access to your computer) has launched OBS Studio to stream or record content.

Reasons it's running:

Active Streaming: You're currently live streaming to Twitch, YouTube, or another platform. OBS captures your screen/game, encodes video, and transmits to the streaming service.
Recording Content: You're recording gameplay, tutorials, or other content to your hard drive. OBS is encoding video in real-time and writing to disk.
OBS is Open (Idle): OBS Studio is open but not actively streaming or recording. It still uses some resources for the preview window and scene management.
Background Plugin Activity: Some OBS plugins or replay buffer features keep the process active in the background even when the main window is minimized.
Startup Configuration: In rare cases, OBS might be configured to start with Windows, though this is not the default behavior.

Note: OBS does NOT run automatically at startup by default. If you see it running without opening the application, check Task Manager's Startup tab or your Windows Startup folder to see if it was manually added.

Can I Disable or Remove obs64.exe?

Yes, you can absolutely disable or remove obs64.exe. OBS Studio is optional third-party software that has no impact on core Windows functionality. Closing or uninstalling it will not harm your system.

How to Disable obs64.exe

✔ Close OBS Studio: Simply close the OBS window or right-click the OBS icon in your system tray and select "Exit"
✔ End Task: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find "OBS Studio" or "obs64.exe", right-click and select "End Task"
✔ Disable Startup (if enabled): Open Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable "OBS Studio" if present

How to Remove obs64.exe Completely

If you don't use OBS Studio and want to free up disk space:

Open Windows Settings (Win + I)
Go to Apps → Apps & features (or Installed apps)
Find "OBS Studio" in the list
Click the three dots (•••) or select it and click "Uninstall"
Follow the uninstallation wizard

Safe to Remove: OBS Studio is completely safe to uninstall if you don't stream or record content. You can always reinstall it later from obsproject.com if needed.

What Happens if You Disable It?

❌ You won't be able to stream to Twitch, YouTube, or other platforms using OBS
❌ You won't be able to record gameplay or screen recordings with OBS
✔ Your system will have more available RAM and CPU resources
✔ Windows and all other applications will function normally

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If obs64.exe is consuming excessive resources (over 80% CPU or 3+ GB RAM), this can cause stuttering streams, dropped frames, or system lag:

Common Causes & Solutions

High Resolution/Bitrate Settings: Streaming at 4K or very high bitrates → Reduce output resolution to 1080p or 720p, lower bitrate to 3000-6000 Kbps
CPU Encoding (x264): Software encoding is very CPU-intensive → Switch to GPU encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA, AMF for AMD, QuickSync for Intel) in Settings → Output → Encoder
Too Many Sources/Scenes: Having dozens of browser sources, media files, or overlays → Reduce number of active sources, disable unused scenes, optimize browser sources
Outdated OBS Version: Old versions may have performance bugs → Update to the latest OBS Studio version from obsproject.com
Multiple Instances Running: Accidentally running OBS multiple times → Close all instances via Task Manager and restart OBS once
Capture Method Issues: Using Display Capture instead of Game Capture → Use "Game Capture" for games (much more efficient than Display Capture)
Background Processes: Other programs competing for resources → Close unnecessary applications while streaming
Outdated GPU Drivers: Old drivers cause encoding issues → Update your graphics card drivers (NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Graphics)

Quick Fixes to Reduce OBS CPU/Memory Usage:
1. Change Encoder: Settings → Output → Encoder → Select "NVENC" (NVIDIA), "AMD AMF" (AMD), or "QuickSync" (Intel) instead of x264
2. Lower Output Resolution: Settings → Video → Output Resolution → Set to 1920x1080 or 1280x720
3. Reduce FPS: Settings → Video → Common FPS Values → Set to 30 FPS instead of 60 FPS
4. Optimize Preset: Settings → Output → Encoder Preset → Use "Performance" or "Quality" instead of "Max Quality"
5. Close Preview When Not Streaming: Right-click preview window → uncheck "Enable Preview" (saves resources when not streaming)
6. Use Game Capture: Replace "Display Capture" sources with "Game Capture" for games (uses less CPU)
7. Run as Administrator: Right-click OBS shortcut → Run as administrator (can improve game capture performance)

Disk Usage High When Recording

If your disk usage spikes to 100% while recording:

Save to Faster Drive: Settings → Output → Recording Path → Change to SSD instead of HDD
Change Recording Format: Settings → Output → Recording Format → Try "MKV" (safer) or "MP4" (smaller files)
Lower Recording Quality: Settings → Output → Recording Quality → Use "High Quality, Medium File Size" instead of "Indistinguishable Quality"

Network Usage High When Streaming

High network usage is normal when streaming (3-10 Mbps), but if it's excessive:

Lower Bitrate: Settings → Output → Video Bitrate → Set to 3000-6000 Kbps (Twitch max is 6000)
Check for Multiple Streams: Ensure you're not streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously
Disable Auto-Reconnect Issues: If OBS is stuck in reconnect loop, restart OBS and check your stream key

Frequently Asked Questions

Is obs64.exe a virus?

No, obs64.exe is NOT a virus. It's the legitimate executable for OBS Studio, trusted streaming software used by millions. However, always verify it's located in C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\ and digitally signed by "OBS Project". If found elsewhere or unsigned, scan with antivirus software.

Why is obs64.exe using so much CPU?

OBS uses 20-60% CPU (or more) because it's encoding video in real-time. High usage is normal when streaming/recording. To reduce it: (1) Switch from x264 to hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF/QuickSync), (2) Lower output resolution to 720p, (3) Reduce FPS to 30, (4) Use "Game Capture" instead of "Display Capture", (5) Close unnecessary browser sources and scenes.

Can I delete obs64.exe?

Yes, you can safely uninstall OBS Studio if you don't need it. Go to Windows Settings → Apps → find "OBS Studio" → Uninstall. This will remove obs64.exe and all related files. OBS is optional software and removing it won't affect Windows or other programs. You can reinstall anytime from obsproject.com.

Can I disable obs64.exe?

Yes, simply close OBS Studio or use Task Manager to end the obs64.exe process. OBS doesn't run in the background by default—it only runs when you open the application. If it's starting automatically, check Task Manager's Startup tab and disable it. Closing OBS immediately frees up CPU, RAM, and network resources.

Why is obs64.exe running at startup?

OBS Studio does NOT start automatically by default. If it's running at startup: (1) Check Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable "OBS Studio", (2) Check Windows Settings → Apps → Startup → Turn off OBS, (3) Check if any scheduled tasks are launching OBS. Someone may have manually configured it to start with Windows for automatic streaming purposes.

What's the difference between obs64.exe and obs.exe?

obs64.exe is the 64-bit version of OBS Studio, while obs.exe is the 32-bit version. The 64-bit version (obs64.exe) can use more than 4GB of RAM and is recommended for modern systems. If you have a 64-bit Windows installation (most computers since 2010), use obs64.exe for better performance. The 32-bit version is only for very old computers.

Why is my stream lagging with high obs64.exe CPU usage?

Stream lag with high CPU usage means your CPU is overloaded. Solutions: (1) Enable hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF/QuickSync instead of x264 software encoding), (2) Lower your output resolution from 1080p to 720p, (3) Reduce frame rate from 60fps to 30fps, (4) Lower the CPU Usage Preset to "veryfast" or "ultrafast", (5) Close other demanding programs, (6) Upgrade to a more powerful CPU if needed.

Is it safe to end obs64.exe in Task Manager?

Yes, it's completely safe to end obs64.exe in Task Manager. This will immediately stop any active streams or recordings and close OBS Studio. You won't lose any settings or configurations. If you're actively streaming, your stream will end abruptly, so it's better to stop the stream properly in OBS first, then close the application normally.

Related Processes

streamlabs-obs.exe

Streamlabs OBS streaming software (alternative to OBS Studio)

xsplit.exe

XSplit streaming and recording software

discord.exe

Discord voice chat (commonly used alongside streaming)

nvidia-broadcast.exe

NVIDIA Broadcast for AI-powered streaming effects