pdfxview.exe

Tracker Software PDF-XChange Viewer

Application ProcessSafePDF Viewer

CPU Usage

1-5%

Memory

20-120 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\PDF View

Publisher

Tracker Software Products Ltd

Quick Answer

pdfxview.exe is safe. It's the PDF-XChange Viewer executable from Tracker Software used to render and annotate PDF documents.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\PDF View\pdfxview.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Each opened PDF can spawn a rendering thread; multiple processes may appear

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close PDF-XChange Viewer or uninstall if you no longer use it

What is pdfxview.exe?

pdfxview.exe is the main executable for Tracker Software's PDF-XChange Viewer. It renders PDF pages, supports annotations, form filling, printing, and basic document management. The process may spawn helper threads or extra processes to render pages, manage caches, and coordinate plug-ins when viewing or editing PDFs.

pdfxview.exe renders PDF pages with Tracker Software's engine, manages annotations and bookmarks, and handles printing and plug-ins. It may spawn helper threads for rendering and background tasks, and is a user-mode application rather than a core Windows system process.

Quick Fact: PDF-XChange Viewer began as a lightweight alternative to heavy PDF suites, emphasizing fast rendering and annotation features.

Types of PDF-XChange Viewer Processes

Main GUI Process: User interface, menus, and overall control (pdfxview.exe)
Renderer Thread: Renders PDF pages for viewing
Annotation Handler: Manages annotations and form inputs
Print Helper: Coordinates printing tasks
Plugin/Tool Component: Handles optional plugins for extended features
Cache/Thumbnail Helper: Manages cached thumbnails and quick previews

Is pdfxview.exe Safe?

Yes, pdfxview.exe is safe when it is the legitimate file from Tracker Software downloaded from official sources (tracker-software.com or bundled with the product).

Is pdfxview.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real pdfxview.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may impersonate file names to confuse users.

How to Tell if pdfxview.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\PDF View\pdfxview.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Tracker Software\PDF View\pdfxview.exe. Any pdfxview.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "Tracker Software Products Ltd".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-5% CPU per active render, 20-120 MB total memory. Excessive constant usage outside PDF viewing is suspicious.
Behavior: pdfxview.exe should run when you open a PDF or start the viewer. Constant background activity without PDFs or viewer UI may indicate malware.

Red Flags: If pdfxview.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when the viewer isn't opened, lacks a digital signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus software. Be wary of similarly-named files like "pdfview.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is pdfxview.exe Running on My PC?

pdfxview.exe runs when you open PDF-XChange Viewer or when PDF viewing tasks are active, including background rendering, thumbnail creation, or printer preparation.

Reasons it's running:

Active PDF Viewing: You have a PDF open; the renderer draws pages and applies annotations in real time.
Background Thumbnail/Pre-render: The viewer generates thumbnails and pre-renders pages to speed up navigation.
Annotations and Forms: Opening or editing annotations and form fields may spawn extra helper tasks.
Startup or File Association: PDFs associated with the viewer or Windows startup tasks can launch pdfxview.exe automatically.
Print and Print Spooler Tasks: Preparing print jobs or interacting with print services can cause temporary activation of pdfxview.exe components.

Can I Disable or Remove pdfxview.exe?

Yes, you can disable pdfxview.exe. If you don’t use PDF-XChange Viewer, you can uninstall it. If you do use it, you can prevent it from running on startup or while idle.

How to Stop pdfxview.exe

Close the Viewer: Exit PDF-XChange Viewer normally via the close button or File > Exit.
End Specific Tasks: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end pdfxview.exe or related renderer processes.
Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable PDF-XChange Viewer
Disable Background Tasks: Within PDF-XChange Viewer settings, turn off background thumbnail generation or auto-check for updates if available.
Uninstall: Windows Settings > Apps > PDF-XChange Viewer > Uninstall

How to Uninstall PDF-XChange Viewer

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → PDF-XChange Viewer → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → PDF-XChange Viewer → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative viewers: SumatraPDF, Foxit Reader, or Adobe Reader

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If pdfxview.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large number of open PDFs: Close unused PDFs or enable tab suspension if available; limit simultaneous documents.
Background thumbnail generation: Disable thumbnail generation in preferences or limit background tasks to reduce constant activity.
Resource-heavy annotations: Save work, restart the viewer, or disable heavy annotation tools temporarily.
Outdated version: Update PDF-XChange Viewer to the latest version from the official site.
Corrupted cache or profile: Clear caches or reset user profile within the application settings.
Conflicting plugins: Disable third-party plugins or extensions and test with a clean profile.

Quick Fixes:
1. Close all open PDFs or restart PDF-XChange Viewer
2. Clear cache within the app settings
3. Disable non-essential plugins or tools
4. Update to the latest version
5. If issues persist, temporarily use an alternative viewer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pdfxview.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate pdfxview.exe from Tracker Software is not a virus. Verify the file is located in C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\PDF View\pdfxview.exe and has a valid digital signature from Tracker Software.

Why is pdfxview.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usage can occur when rendering large PDFs, performing complex annotations, or when multiple documents are open. Use Task Manager to identify the renderer consuming resources and close or suspend tabs.

Can I delete pdfxview.exe?

You can uninstall PDF-XChange Viewer if you no longer need it. Deleting the executable file directly may break the program; use Settings > Apps > Uninstall.

Can I disable pdfxview.exe?

Yes. Close the viewer, disable startup in Task Manager, and turn off background tasks in the app’s preferences.

Why is pdfxview.exe running at startup?

PDF-XChange Viewer may be configured to launch at Windows startup or to handle PDF file associations. Disable the startup entry in Task Manager > Startup or adjust Windows default app settings.

Why are there multiple pdfxview.exe processes?

The viewer may spawn separate processes for rendering, annotation handling, and background tasks. This division improves stability; you can identify them via Task Manager.