php.exe

PHP Command-Line Interface (CLI)

Application ProcessSafeProgramming Language

CPU Usage

0-15%

Memory

40-120 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\PHP

Publisher

The PHP Group

Quick Answer

php.exe is safe. It's the official PHP Command-Line Interface used to run PHP scripts from the console or a batch task.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Typically located in C:\Program Files\PHP\php.exe or C:\PHP\php.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Each script invocation can spawn a separate php.exe instance

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

End tasks when not needed; there is no global switch to disable PHP CLI

What is php.exe?

php.exe is the PHP Command-Line Interface executable that runs PHP scripts from a terminal, batch file, or scheduled task. It is part of PHP installations on Windows and is commonly found under C:\Program Files\PHP or C:\PHP, where developers invoke scripts without a web server.

The CLI (SAPI) executes PHP code directly in a console environment, bypassing web server modules. It reads php.ini, handles CLI flags, and outputs to stdout. This enables automation, testing, and cron-like tasks outside a browser.

Quick Fact: The PHP CLI is optimized for batch tasks and development workflows, often used in automation and CI pipelines.

Types of PHP CLI Processes

CLI Process: Runs a PHP script in a new process from the command line
Scheduled Task Runner: Invoked by Windows Task Scheduler or cron-like schedulers
Background Worker: Long-running CLI processes for queues or data processing
Automation/Build Tools: Used by Composer, Phing, or custom build scripts
Interactive Debug Session: Used for development and debugging from a terminal

Is php.exe Safe?

Yes, php.exe is safe when it comes from an official PHP distribution and is located in a legitimate installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\PHP or C:\PHP).

Is php.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real php.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade as php.exe. Always verify location and signature.

How to Tell if php.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\PHP\ or C:\PHP\. Any php.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click php.exe in Task Manager -> Open file location -> Right-click php.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "The PHP Group".
Resource Usage: Typical CLI usage is modest. CPU usage scales with the script; check for abnormal spikes.
Behavior: php.exe should run only when you invoke a script. Persistent background php.exe without a running console indicates potential misuse.

Red Flags: If php.exe appears outside typical PHP folders, lacks a valid signature, or runs continuously without an active script, scan for malware and review startup tasks.

Why Is php.exe Running on My PC?

php.exe runs when you execute PHP scripts from the command line, when a batch task runs PHP scripts, or when a web server wrapper invokes the CLI to run a PHP script.

Reasons it's running:

Active Script Execution: A PHP script is currently running in the foreground or background
Scheduled Tasks: Windows Task Scheduler or cron-like tools invoke php.exe to run PHP scripts
Background Workers: Long-running CLI processes for queues or data processing
Automation Tools: Composer, Phing, or other build tools trigger PHP CLI to perform tasks
Web Server Wrappers: IIS/Apache may spawn php.exe to handle a specific PHP script under CLI compatibility modes

Can I Disable or Remove php.exe?

Yes, you can disable php.exe. It’s safe to stop running PHP CLI tasks when not needed. Removal should only occur if you uninstall PHP or no longer require the CLI.

How to Stop php.exe

End Running Script: In the console, press Ctrl+C to stop the current script
Close Console: Close the Command Prompt or PowerShell window running PHP
End All PHP Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate php.exe processes, and End Task
Prevent Startup: For scheduled tasks, disable the task; for servers, stop the service that invokes PHP CLI
Stop Background Apps: In PHP settings, disable CLI-based background tasks or remove scheduled jobs

How to Uninstall PHP

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → PHP → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → PHP → Uninstall
✔ If installed via a package manager (e.g., Chocolatey), run choco uninstall php
✔ Delete the PHP installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\PHP or C:\PHP)
✔ Remove PHP from the PATH environment variable and restart the system

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If php.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Long-running scripts or infinite loops: Review code for loops; set max_execution_time and time limits; consider chunked processing
Resource-heavy CLI tasks: Limit memory via memory_limit in php.ini; optimize algorithms
Multiple concurrent invocations: Queue jobs properly; use a worker pool; stagger task schedules
Malicious or misconfigured scripts: Audit scripts; restrict CLI access; scan for malware; disable unauthorized cron tasks
Outdated PHP version: Update PHP to the latest stable version; review end-of-life timelines
Incorrect server configuration: Check web server wrapper (IIS, Apache) configuration; ensure proper PHP-CGI/CLI usage

Quick Fixes:
1. Use Task Manager to identify heavy php.exe instances (look for php.exe under Processes)
2. Increase timeouts for CLI scripts to prevent hangs
3. Limit memory usage in php.ini (memory_limit) and restart PHP services
4. Update PHP to the latest stable version
5. Audit scheduled tasks and remove unnecessary PHP jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is php.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate php.exe from a PHP distribution is not a virus. Verify the location: C:\Program Files\PHP or C:\PHP and confirm a valid signature from The PHP Group.

Why is php.exe running on my PC?

php.exe runs when a PHP script is executed from the command line, by a scheduled task, or by a web server wrapper invoking the CLI.

Can I delete php.exe?

You can uninstall PHP or remove the PHP CLI if you no longer need it. Deleting the binary without uninstalling can break dependent tools like composer.

Can I disable php.exe?

Yes. Stop running scripts, disable startup tasks, or uninstall PHP if you do not need the CLI. For servers, disable the PHP-CLI invocation in the server config.

Why is php.exe running at startup?

If PHP CLI is configured to run as part of scheduled tasks or server startup wrappers, it may start automatically. Review Task Scheduler and server configs.

How do I reduce PHP's memory usage?

Tune memory_limit in php.ini, optimize code, process data in chunks, and use a memory-efficient approach for large data tasks.

Related Processes

php-cgi.exe

PHP CGI wrapper used by some Windows web servers to execute PHP scripts

iisexpress.exe

Microsoft IIS Express web server process that can invoke PHP CLI under certain configurations