Quick Answer
obsidian.exe is safe. It’s the main executable for the Obsidian notes app. It runs locally, manages vault access, and loads plugins. Ensure it’s from the official Obsidian source.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in one of the official Obsidian install paths
Warning
Most Obsidian activity is normal
Obsidian may spawn extra processes for plugins or UI panels; this is expected behavior
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Obsidian or exit to prevent background activity; use Safe Mode to disable plugins temporarily
What is obsidian.exe?
obsidian.exe is the main executable for Obsidian, the local-first note-taking app that stores vaults on your device and optionally syncs with cloud services. It runs as a desktop app and manages the user interface, vault access, and plugin interactions. You’ll see it listed when Obsidian is open.
Obsidian uses an Electron-like architecture with a main process and renderers to present the UI. It handles file I/O for vaults, markdown rendering, and plugin execution in a sandboxed context to keep data secure while remaining responsive.
Quick Fact: Obsidian’s core runs offline with local vaults; plugins extend functionality while data stays in your vault folder.
Types of Obsidian Processes
- Main Process: Core application window and vault coordination (1 instance)
- Renderer Process: UI rendering for the vaults, notes, and panels (multiples)
- Sync Process: Background synchronization with Obsidian Sync or cloud services
- Plugin Host: Execution environment for plugins (sandboxed within Electron context)
- Background/Utility: Indexing, search indexing, and scheduled tasks
Is obsidian.exe Safe?
Yes, obsidian.exe is safe when obtained from the official Obsidian website (obsidian.md) or an official store installer.
Is obsidian.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real obsidian.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names. Always verify the file location and signature.
How to Tell if obsidian.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Obsidian\Obsidian.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Obsidian\Obsidian.exe. Other locations are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show an Obsidian signer or 'ObsidianMD, LLC'.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-10% CPU and tens to a few hundred MB memory per vault session.
- Behavior: Obsidian should run when you launch the app and close when you exit. Continuous background activity without launching the app is suspicious.
Red Flags: If obsidian.exe appears in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData\Roaming), runs when Obsidian isn’t open, lacks a valid signature, or uses abnormal resources, run a malware scan and reinstall from official sources.
Why Is obsidian.exe Running on My PC?
obsidian.exe runs when you start Obsidian or when a vault is actively being accessed, indexed, or synced. Background tasks and plugins can also trigger additional activity.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Vault Interaction: Opening or editing notes causes the main and renderer processes to stay active for rendering and I/O.
- Sync and Background Tasks: Obsidian Sync or cloud integrations run in the background to sync changes across devices.
- Plugin Activity: Community or core plugins may run code that keeps certain processes alive for tasks like indexing.
- Startup Launch: Obsidian may be configured to start at Windows login or when you sign in to your system.
- Vault Indexing: Indexing large vaults or search indexing can briefly keep obsidian.exe active.
Can I Disable or Remove obsidian.exe?
Yes, you can disable obsidian.exe. You can stop it by closing the app or disabling startup; you can uninstall Obsidian if you no longer need it.
How to Stop obsidian.exe
- Close the App: Close all Obsidian windows or use the system tray to quit
- End Individual Tasks: If needed, use Task Manager to end obsidian.exe processes
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Obsidian
- Disable Background Sync: In Obsidian Settings → Sync, turn off automatic syncing
- Safe Mode: Start Obsidian with Safe Mode to disable third-party plugins
How to Uninstall Obsidian
- ✔ Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Obsidian → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Obsidian → Uninstall
- ✔ If you need a different note tool, consider alternatives like Bear, Notion, or RemNote
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If obsidian.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large vault with many notes and rich media: Reduce open vaults or split large vaults; consider archiving media externally
- Heavy or misbehaving plugins: Disable or uninstall problematic plugins via Settings → Community Plugins
- Sync conflicts or indexing: Pause syncing, resolve conflicts, and allow the index to complete
- Outdated Obsidian version: Update to the latest release from the official site
- Corrupted cache or vault data: Restart with Safe Mode; clear cache if available; consider reloading vault
- Hardware acceleration or rendering issues: Disable hardware acceleration in Settings → Appearance
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Obsidian in Safe Mode to disable third-party plugins
2. Close unused vaults and tabs to reduce active indexing
3. Update Obsidian to the latest version
4. Disable or remove problematic plugins via Settings → Community Plugins
5. Restart Obsidian and allow vaults to re-index
Frequently Asked Questions
Is obsidian.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate obsidian.exe from Obsidian is not a virus. Ensure the file is located in a trusted path such as C:\Program Files\Obsidian\Obsidian.exe and has a valid signature from ObsidianMD.
Why is obsidian.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can occur with large vaults, many open notes, or heavy plugins. Check which plugin or note is active using Task Manager, then close or disable the culprit and update Obsidian.
Can I delete obsidian.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall Obsidian if you no longer need it. Your vaults remain in your chosen folder unless you delete them. Reinstall anytime from obsidian.md if you return to note-taking.
Can I disable obsidian.exe?
Yes, you can disable startup in Task Manager and close the app when not in use. Safe Mode can disable third-party plugins to reduce background activity.
Why does Obsidian start on Windows startup?
Obsidian may be set to launch at startup. Disable via Task Manager → Startup, or adjust settings within Obsidian to prevent auto-launch.
Why are there multiple obsidian.exe processes?
Obsidian uses a multi-process Electron-like architecture for UI, rendering, and plugins. Multiple processes help keep the app responsive, but you can use Safe Mode to limit them.