Quick Answer
onenoteapp-exe is safe. It's Microsoft's OneNote desktop app executable that runs the notebook UI, renders pages, and syncs with OneDrive/SharePoint; it's designed with background tasks for syncing and indexing.
What is onenote.exe?
onenoteapp-exe is the executable for the Microsoft OneNote desktop app on Windows. It runs the notebook UI, handles page rendering, note saving, and synchronization with OneDrive or SharePoint. It may spawn background tasks for sync and indexing to support offline access and fast search.
Onenoteapp-exe starts the OneNote UI, manages page rendering and note saving, and coordinates cloud sync and offline access. It uses background threads for syncing, indexing, and data integrity checks to keep notebooks current without blocking user actions.
Quick Fact: OneNote has long supported cloud syncing across devices, with the app coordinating local edits and remote updates for continuity.
Types of OneNote Processes
- Main App Process: Primary OneNote UI, notebook navigation, and editing
- Rendering Process: Renders pages, ink, and media content
- Sync Process: Background sync with OneDrive/SharePoint
- Search Indexing: Background indexing for fast search
- Offline Cache: Caching notebooks for offline access
- Notification/Ink Services: Ink input, note syncing, and notifications
Is onenoteapp-exe Safe?
Yes, onenoteapp-exe is safe when it's the legitimate Microsoft binary downloaded from official sources (office.com or Windows Update).
Is onenoteapp-exe a Virus or Malware?
The real onenoteapp-exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade with similar names. Always verify signature.
How to Tell if onenoteapp-exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Confirm the executable resides in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ONENOTE.EXE or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ONENOTE.EXE. Other locations are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click ONENOTE.EXE in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer 'Microsoft Corporation'.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is typically low when idle; spikes may occur during syncing. Check via Task Manager for unusual patterns.
- Behavior: OneNote should run when opening the app and not continuously at startup without user action.
Red Flags: If onenoteapp-exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when OneNote isn't open, has no valid signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, run a malware scan and verify via official channels.
Why Is onenoteapp-exe Running on My PC?
onenoteapp-exe runs when you open Microsoft OneNote or when OneNote is configured to run background tasks. It may also run to support syncing, indexing, and offline notebook access.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Notebook Use: You're actively editing or viewing notebooks; the app keeps data in memory and renders pages.
- Background Synchronization: OneNote syncs changes to OneDrive or SharePoint in the background to keep notebooks current.
- Startup Auto-Launch: OneNote is configured to start with Windows or user login, causing the process to appear at boot.
- Background Indexing: Indexing for quick search runs in the background to improve search performance.
- Offline Cache Management: Caching notebooks for offline access keeps data available when offline and can run in the background.
Can I Disable or Remove onenoteapp-exe?
Yes, you can disable onenoteapp-exe. It's safe to close OneNote when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different note-taking solution.
How to Stop onenoteapp-exe
- End Individual Tasks: In OneNote, close notebooks or use File → Exit to stop the active UI.
- Close Application: Close all OneNote windows or use the system tray option to exit.
- End Processes: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find onenote.exe, right-click → End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable OneNote
- Stop Background Sync: OneNote Settings → Sync → Disable background syncing
How to Uninstall OneNote
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → OneNote → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Microsoft OneNote → Uninstall
- ✔ If using Windows 10/11 OneNote for Windows, consider leaving the system app or replacing with a different note app.
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If onenoteapp-exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large note datasets or many notebooks open: Close unused notebooks; consider reducing embedded media and using archive strategies.
- Background syncing: Pause or customize sync frequency in OneNote settings; ensure stable network connectivity.
- Outdated OneNote version: Update OneNote to the latest version from Office Update or Microsoft 365.
- Corrupted cache: Clear OneNote cache: turn off app, delete cache files from %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\OneNote and restart.
- Conflict notebooks: Resolve sync conflicts by reviewing the Conflicts notebook and merging changes.
- Insufficient disk space: Free up disk space and ensure there is room for offline caches and backups.
Quick Fixes:
1. In OneNote, press Ctrl+Shift+P to open performance options and adjust settings if available
2. Close unused notebooks and disable heavy media in pages
3. Clear cached data: Settings → Storage → Clear cache
4. Update OneNote to the latest version
5. Restart OneNote or the computer to reset background tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is onenoteapp-exe a virus?
No, the legitimate onenoteapp-exe is the Microsoft OneNote application. Verify it is located at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ONENOTE.EXE or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ONENOTE.EXE and digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation.
Why is onenoteapp-exe using so much CPU?
High CPU is usually caused by active synchronization, large notebooks, or heavy rendering tasks (embedded media, ink). Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify the culprit tab or notebook and pause syncing if needed.
Can I delete onenoteapp-exe?
You can uninstall OneNote if you no longer need it by going to Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Microsoft OneNote and selecting Uninstall. This may vary based on whether OneNote is part of Office or the Windows app.
Can I disable onenoteapp-exe?
Yes, you can disable background syncing and startup behavior from OneNote settings or Task Manager. This stops automatic background activity but may affect data syncing across devices.
Why does OneNote start at Windows startup?
OneNote may be configured to launch on login to ensure notebooks are ready for offline work. Disable via Task Manager → Startup, or change OneNote settings to prevent auto-start.
How do I reduce OneNote's memory usage?
Close unused notebooks, disable heavy media, clear cache, and enable Memory Saver in OneNote settings if available. Consider splitting very large notebooks into smaller sections.