Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be associated with JetBrains PhpStorm and located under the official installation path
Warning
Telemetry may run in background
Data collection is passive and limited to usage and crash metrics
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable via IDE: PhpStorm → Preferences → Appearance & Behavior → System Settings → Data Sharing
What is phpstorm64.exe?
phpstorm-telemetry is the telemetry component used by JetBrains PhpStorm to send anonymous usage statistics, feature interactions, and crash reports to JetBrains servers. It helps improve the IDE experience and diagnose issues.
The telemetry runs as a lightweight in-process module within PhpStorm, batching events and sending them over HTTPS to a JetBrains endpoint. It does not capture your actual source code or private project content.
Quick Fact: PhpStorm telemetry can be configured or disabled, but default data helps JetBrains prioritize fixes and feature enhancements.
Types of PhpStorm Processes
- IDE Process: Main PhpStorm UI and tooling host (1 instance)
- Background Indexer: Indexing and code insight tasks running in background
- Telemetry/Crash Reporter: Telemetry collection and error reporting subprocess
- Plugin Loader: Plugins loaded by PhpStorm may run in separate contexts
- JBR/JVM Process: JetBrains Runtime JVM instance supporting the IDE
- Update/Support Services: Background update checks and assistance utilities
Is phpstorm-telemetry Safe?
Yes, phpstorm-telemetry is safe when it’s the legitimate JetBrains component bundled with PhpStorm and enabled by default to improve the product.
Is phpstorm-telemetry a Virus or Malware?
The real telemetry component is NOT a virus. Malware masquerading as JetBrains software can exist; always verify installation paths and digital signatures.
How to Tell if phpstorm-telemetry is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\JetBrains\PhpStorm 2025.2\bin\phpstorm64.exe or a similarly named official path.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "JetBrains s.r.o.".
- Process Publisher:: In Task Manager, check the publisher for the PhpStorm process; should indicate JetBrains.
- Network Behavior:: Telemetry communicates over HTTPS to JetBrains servers and does not exfiltrate source code.
Red Flags: If you find phpstorm-related files outside official install directories, unsigned payloads, or constant network chatter outside IDE usage, scan for malware and verify with JetBrains support.
Why Is phpstorm-telemetry Running on My PC?
PhpStorm telemetry runs when the IDE is active or configured to send anonymous usage data, crash reports, or feature interaction data to JetBrains.
Reasons it's running:
- Active PhpStorm Session: You have PhpStorm open and actively editing code; telemetry samples usage events.
- Background Indexing: Code indexing and inspections occur in the background during activity or on startup.
- Data Sharing Enabled: Telemetry is enabled by default for anonymous data submission to improve the product.
- Crash Reporting: When PhpStorm or its components crash, telemetry may collect and report crash details.
- Plugin Activity: Plugins and language injections may trigger telemetry events during usage.
Can I Disable or Remove phpstorm-telemetry?
Yes, you can disable phpstorm-telemetry. You can turn off data sharing in PhpStorm and uninstall PhpStorm if you no longer need it.
How to Stop phpstorm-telemetry
- Disable Data Sharing: In PhpStorm: File → Settings (Ctrl+Alt+S) → Appearance & Behavior → System Settings → Data Sharing and set to Do not send usage statistics.
- Pause Telemetry: In the IDE, toggle telemetry options or disable crash reporting if available.
- Prevent Startup: Stop PhpStorm from auto-starting via Windows Task Scheduler or startup folder.
- Limit Background Tasks: Turn off unnecessary background services within PhpStorm and disable automatic indexing on startup.
- Uninstall PhpStorm: If you no longer need PhpStorm, uninstall from Settings → Apps (Windows) or Applications (macOS).
How to Uninstall PhpStorm
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → PhpStorm → Uninstall
- ✔ macOS Applications → PhpStorm → Move to Trash
- ✔ Consider alternatives: IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, VS Code
Common Problems: Telemetry-Related Performance
If phpstorm-telemetry is affecting IDE performance or network usage, try the following fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Telemetry Enabled with Frequent Events: Disable or reduce the data categories in PhpStorm's telemetry settings to limit event submission.
- Background Indexing Heavy: Pause or adjust indexing scopes; use Settings → Editor → Code Completion and indexing options.
- Slow Network or VPN: Ensure a stable network; if required, disable sending telemetry over restricted networks.
- Plugin Interference: Disable recently installed plugins and check PhpStorm logs for telemetry-related messages.
- Outdated PhpStorm: Update PhpStorm to the latest version to include bug fixes for telemetry.
- Malicious Config: Reset IDE settings to default or reinstall PhpStorm from official site.
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open PhpStorm Task Manager or examine CPU/memory usage within the IDE
3. Disable unnecessary telemetry categories in Settings
4. Update PhpStorm to the latest version
5. Clear caches: File → Invalidate Caches / Restart
6. Review installed plugins and remove suspicious ones
Frequently Asked Questions
Is phpstorm-telemetry safe to run by default?
Yes. PhpStorm telemetry runs locally within the IDE and sends anonymous usage data to JetBrains. You can disable it anytime in the IDE.
What data does phpstorm-telemetry collect?
It collects usage metrics, feature interactions, and crash reports. It does not capture your source code or project files.
How do I disable phpstorm-telemetry?
Go to File → Settings → Appearance & Behavior → System Settings → Data Sharing and turn off data sharing; you can also disable crash reporting if offered.
Will telemetry affect my project's confidentiality?
Telemetry is designed to be anonymous and not contain source code. Nevertheless, review privacy settings if you're handling sensitive data.
Where does telemetry data go?
Telemetry data is transmitted to JetBrains servers over HTTPS and used to improve PhpStorm and related products.
Can telemetry be disabled per-project?
Telemetry settings are IDE-wide, not per-project, but you can disable it when working on sensitive tasks.