pcloud_tray.exe

pCloud Drive Tray Utility

Application ProcessSafeCloud Storage Tray

CPU Usage

0-8%

Memory

15-100 MB

Location

C:\\Program Files (x86)\\pCloud

Publisher

pCloud SA

Quick Answer

pcloud_tray.exe is safe. It's the pCloud Drive tray utility that runs in the background to provide the mounted drive status and quick access in the system tray.

Is it a Virus?

NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files (x86)\\pCloud or C:\\Program Files\\pCloud and have a valid signature.

Warning

Many processes normal

pCloud uses separate tray and drive processes; terminate via Task Manager if not used.

Can I Disable?

YES

Close the tray or disable at startup; the main drive client may re-launch.

What is pcloud_tray.exe?

pcloud_tray.exe is the Windows tray/launcher component for the pCloud Drive application. It updates the system tray icon, handles background readiness, and coordinates with the mounted pCloud drive to reflect status changes and notifications.

This executable runs as part of the pCloud Drive suite, using a small set of background threads to monitor connection health, sync status, and user interactions with the tray icon. It communicates with the core service via local IPC.

Quick Fact: The pCloud tray is lightweight by design, waking only for status updates or user clicks to minimize resource usage.

Types of pCloud Processes

Tray Process: Handles the system tray icon and user interaction (1 instance)
Drive Service: Monitors and syncs the mounted pCloud drive (1+ instances)
Background Sync: Performs background synchronization tasks as needed
IPC Channel: Inter-process communication with the main pCloud service

Is pcloud_tray.exe Safe?

Yes, pcloud_tray.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from pCloud downloaded from official sources (pcloud.com or the Windows installer).

Is pcloud_tray.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real pcloud_tray.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; verify the path and signature.

How to Tell if pcloud_tray.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files (x86)\\pCloud\\ or C:\\Program Files\\pCloud\\. Any pcloud_tray.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures -> Should show a valid signature from "pCloud SA" or equivalent.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0-8% CPU and 15-100 MB memory when idle. Spikes during sync are expected.
Behavior: The tray should respond to clicks and show status; it should not spawn unusual network activity when idle.

Red Flags: If pcloud_tray.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32, runs when the main client isn't installed, lacks a digital signature, or constantly consumes resources, scan with antivirus. Watch for similarly-named files like "pcloudtray.exe".

Why Is pcloud_tray.exe Running on My PC?

The tray helper runs to keep the pCloud Drive integrated with Windows, reflecting status changes, notifications, and providing quick access to the mounted drive from the system tray.

Reasons it's running:

Active pCloud Drive Use: You have pCloud Drive mounted and actively syncing or indexing files.
Background Sync: The tray monitors and reports back on ongoing file sync tasks.
Startup Behavior: The tray may start automatically if the pCloud client is set to launch on boot.
Notifications and Alerts: It runs to deliver status notifications for sync, share links, and drive events.
User Interaction: Clicking the tray icon triggers the pCloud UI or opens the mounted drive in Explorer.

Can I Disable or Remove pcloud_tray.exe?

Yes, you can disable the tray utility. You can stop it from starting automatically or close it; uninstalling the full pCloud Drive client will remove it.

How to Stop pcloud_tray.exe

End Tray Process: Open Task Manager, find pcloud_tray.exe, right-click > End Task.
Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable pCloud Drive or pcloud_tray.
Close Tray Icon: Right-click the system tray icon and select Exit or Quit if available.
Disable Background Sync: Open pCloud Settings > General > Disable background sync and tray loading.
Uninstall pCloud Drive: Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > pCloud Drive > Uninstall.

How to Uninstall pCloud Drive

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → pCloud Drive → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → pCloud Drive → Uninstall
✔ If you only want to remove the tray, keep the core drive client? Not typical; best to uninstall entire client

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If pcloud_tray.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Active syncing of many large files: Pause or limit sync via pCloud Drive settings; schedule sync during off-peak times.
Background processes or frequent notifications: Reduce notification density in Settings; consider disabling nonessential tray alerts.
Outdated client: Update to the latest pCloud Drive version.
Corrupted cache: Clear pCloud cache via Settings → Advanced → Clear Cache.
Malware masquerading as pcloud_tray.exe: Run a full system antivirus scan and verify the binary signature and location.
Multiple mounts or auxiliary syncing tasks: Review mounted drives and disable unnecessary mounts in pCloud settings.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager and identify pcloud_tray.exe processes and high-usage rows
2. Restart the pCloud Drive client to refresh tray state
3. Clear cache and temporary files associated with pCloud
4. Update to the latest version of pCloud Drive
5. Disable nonessential tray notifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pcloud_tray.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate pcloud_tray.exe from pCloud is not a virus. Verify the path is in C:\Program Files (x86)\pCloud or C:\Program Files\pCloud and has a valid signature.

Why is pcloud_tray.exe using CPU?

CPU usage occurs during active syncing or when the tray handles notifications. Check which files are syncing and pause if needed.

Where is pcloud_tray.exe located?

Common locations include C:\Program Files (x86)\pCloud\pcloud_tray.exe or C:\Program Files\pCloud\pCloudTray.exe. Check the properties for publisher.

Can I disable pcloud_tray.exe?

Yes, you can disable startup or exit the tray; uninstalling the pCloud Drive client will remove it.

How do I uninstall pCloud Drive?

Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > pCloud Drive > Uninstall. You can reinstall later from pcloud.com.

What is the function of the pCloud tray icon?

The tray icon shows sync status, status notifications, and provides quick access to the mounted pCloud drive.