OnlyOffice.exe

OnlyOffice Desktop Editors

Application ProcessSafeProductivity Suite

CPU Usage

3-28%

Memory

120-500 MB

Location

Program Files\ONLYOFFICE

Publisher

Ascensio System SIA

Quick Answer

OnlyOffice.exe is safe. It's the legitimate process for the OnlyOffice Desktop Editors that runs multiple tasks for documents, syncing, and collaboration to improve performance and reliability.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be located in C:\Program Files\ONLYOFFICE or C:\Program Files (x86)\ONLYOFFICE

Warning

Many processes normal

Each editor instance or collaborative module can spawn separate processes

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close OnlyOffice applications or disable startup/background tasks in settings

What is OnlyOffice.exe?

OnlyOffice.exe is the core Windows executable for the OnlyOffice Desktop Editors suite. It launches the editor, coordinates document rendering, background synchronization, real-time collaboration components, and plugin services. The process may spawn multiple child processes for tabs and tasks, enabling smoother editing across documents.

OnlyOffice uses a multi-process architecture: the main process hosts the user interface while workers handle document rendering, spell-check, file synchronization, and converter tasks. This isolation improves stability and responsiveness during intensive editing sessions.

Quick Fact: OnlyOffice leverages modular processes to isolate editing tasks, improving crash resistance and enabling smoother real-time collaboration.

Types of OnlyOffice Processes

Main Process: UI, menus, and global management (1 instance)
Renderer Process: Document rendering for each open file
Sync/Background Process: Cloud sync and background tasks
Plugin/Converter Process: Converters and plugin services
Utility Process: Auxiliary tasks like OCR or spell-check

Is onlyoffice.exe Safe?

Yes, onlyoffice.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from ONLYOFFICE downloaded from official sources (official installer or official website).

Is onlyoffice.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real onlyoffice.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names. Always verify file location and signature.

How to Tell if OnlyOffice.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\ONLYOFFICE\DesktopEditors\OnlyOffice.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ONLYOFFICE\DesktopEditors\OnlyOffice.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a certificate issued to "ONLYOFFICE" or "Ascensio System SIA".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-10% CPU per process and 100-300 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the app is idle is suspicious.
Behavior: OnlyOffice should run when the editor is active or syncing. Background activity when the app is closed can indicate malware.

Red Flags: If onlyoffice.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when OnlyOffice isn't open, has no valid digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly named files like "OnlyOfficeUpdate.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is onlyoffice.exe Running on My PC?

onlyoffice.exe runs when you open OnlyOffice Desktop Editors or when tasks like auto-save, collaboration, or cloud synchronization are active.

Reasons it's running:

Active Document Editing: You're actively editing a document; each open file may spawn its own rendering process for responsiveness.
Background Sync: Cloud sync and collaboration features run in the background to keep changes up to date.
Startup and Background Tasks: OnlyOffice can be configured to start with Windows or remain active in the background after you sign in.
Real-time Collaboration: Co-authoring sessions maintain connections to reflect edits and presence information across users.
Plugins and Converters: Plugins, document converters, OCR, and font rendering run as separate tasks to support formats and features.

Can I Disable or Remove onlyoffice.exe?

Yes, you can disable onlyoffice.exe. It's safe to close OnlyOffice when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer not to use it.

How to Stop onlyoffice.exe

Close Documents and Exit: Close all open documents and choose File → Exit or click the close button to exit the app cleanly.
End Background Tasks: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find OnlyOffice.exe, right-click → End Task.
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable OnlyOffice Desktop Editors.
Pause Background Sync: In OnlyOffice Settings → General or Sync, disable background cloud syncing.
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → OnlyOffice Desktop Editors → Uninstall.

How to Uninstall OnlyOffice

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → OnlyOffice Desktop Editors → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → OnlyOffice Desktop Editors → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternatives: Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If onlyoffice.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too many documents or editors open: Close unused documents or tabs; consider saving and exiting idle files to reduce render workloads.
Background Sync or Collaboration: Pause or limit cloud sync in Settings; disable auto-sync for large documents during edits.
Large/Complex Documents: Optimize embedded media, reduce image resolution, or split large documents into smaller files.
Outdated Version: Update OnlyOffice to the latest version from the official site.
Plugins or Converters: Disable unnecessary plugins and converters in Settings to reduce background activity.
Antivirus Scanning: Add OnlyOffice to the exceptions list of your antivirus during editing sessions.

Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused documents and exit OnlyOffice to reset processes
2. Pause cloud sync in Settings
3. Update OnlyOffice to the latest version
4. Disable unnecessary plugins or converters
5. Restart the computer if resource usage remains high

Frequently Asked Questions

Is onlyoffice.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate onlyoffice.exe from ONLYOFFICE is not a virus. Verify the file location at C:\Program Files\ONLYOFFICE\DesktopEditors\OnlyOffice.exe and check for a valid signature from Ascensio System SIA.

Why is onlyoffice.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usually occurs during active editing of complex documents, heavy plugins, or background syncing. Use Task Manager to identify the exact process and close culprit or pause sync.

Can I delete onlyoffice.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall OnlyOffice Desktop Editors from Windows Settings or Control Panel. Your local documents may be removed unless you keep a backup.

Can I disable onlyoffice.exe?

Yes, you can disable startup and background tasks via Task Manager and OnlyOffice Settings. This prevents automatic background activity when the app is not in use.

Why does onlyoffice.exe start with Windows?

If you enabled startup in Windows, OnlyOffice will launch at login. Disable it in Task Manager → Startup or in OnlyOffice settings to stop automatic startup.

How do I reduce OnlyOffice's memory usage?

Close unused documents, disable unnecessary plugins, clear caches, update to the latest version, and enable Memory Saver if available in Settings.

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