roam.exe

Roam Research Desktop Application

Application ProcessSafeNote-taking / Graph App

CPU Usage

3-20%

Memory

120-500 MB

Location

Program Files\Roam Research

Publisher

Roam Research, Inc.

Quick Answer

roam.exe is safe. It's Roam Research Desktop, a local/online note-taking app that uses separate processes for windows, syncing, and indexing to keep the graph responsive.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\Roam Research\Roam.exe

Warning

Multiple processes are normal

Each pane and background task may spawn a separate process

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close Roam or disable startup to reduce usage

What is roam.exe?

roam.exe is the executable for Roam Research Desktop. It powers offline graph editing, local data caching, and online syncing, while managing multiple windows and background tasks. This process is central to how Roam renders blocks, stores your graph, and stays responsive.

Roam Research Desktop uses a modular engine where roam.exe coordinates the main window, graph indexing, and communication with Roam servers. It runs with sandboxed sub-processes to render content and handle sync, enabling fast UI and reliable offline work.

Quick Fact: Roam's desktop app caches your graph locally and syncs changes to the cloud, so you can work offline and still update when you reconnect.

Types of Roam Processes

Main Window Process: The primary Roam Research Desktop window and UI (1 instance)
Graph Renderer Process: Renders pages and blocks for active graphs (multiple instances)
Sync Processor: Handles data synchronization with Roam servers
Background Indexer: Indexes notes for fast search and retrieval
Extension Loader: Loads optional integrations or plugins (if enabled)
Utility / Launcher: Background tasks and startup utilities

Is roam.exe Safe?

Yes, roam.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Roam Research downloaded from official sources (roamresearch.com or the official installer).

Is roam.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real roam.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names.

How to Tell if roam.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Roam Research\Roam.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Roam Research\Roam.exe. Any roam.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Roam Research, Inc."
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 3-20% CPU per session, 120-500 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Roam should run primarily when the app is active. If roam.exe spawns continuously without user interaction, scan for malware.

Red Flags: If roam.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Roam isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "roam32.exe" or "roam_backup.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is roam.exe Running on My PC?

roam.exe runs when you open Roam Research Desktop or when Roam is configured to run in the background.

Reasons it's running:

Active Roam Use: You're actively editing or viewing your Roam graph – Roam spawns processes per graph pane and UI component
Background Sync: Roam is syncing changes to the cloud while you work and may keep a persistent background process for continuity
Startup Program: Roam is configured to launch automatically when Windows starts or you log in
Graph Indexing: Roam indexes blocks and pages in the background to speed up search and references
Background Extensions: Enabled integrations or offline add-ons may run tasks in the background

Can I Disable or Remove roam.exe?

Yes, you can disable roam.exe. It's safe to close Roam when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different note-taking app.

How to Stop roam.exe

End Active Roam Sessions: Close Roam windows or use File → Exit to terminate the UI
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Roam Research
Prevent Background Sync: Roam Settings → Sync → Disable 'Continue syncing in background'
Disable Auto-Launch: Windows Task Scheduler or Startup folder remove Roam Research shortcut
Stop Background Services: In Roam, disable any background services or automated backups if available

How to Uninstall Roam

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Roam Research → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Roam Research → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative note-taking apps: Obsidian, Notion, or Microsoft OneNote

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If roam.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large graph with many blocks and open panes: Close unused panes, collapse large blocks, and limit open graphs to reduce indexing and rendering load
Background Sync: Check Roam Sync settings and schedule sync intervals; disable background sync if not needed
Background Extensions: Disable unnecessary integrations in Roam Settings → Extensions
Outdated Roam Version: Update Roam Research Desktop to the latest version from the official site
Corrupted Cache or Index: Clear Roam cache or reinstall Roam to rebuild the graph index
Hardware Acceleration Issues: Disable hardware acceleration in Roam Settings → Performance

Quick Fixes:
1. Use Roam Task Manager (if available) to identify heavy graphs or blocks
2. Clear local cache and restart Roam
3. Disable non-essential extensions or integrations
4. Update Roam Research Desktop to the latest version
5. Enable Memory Saver: Settings → Performance → Memory Saver

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roam.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate roam.exe from Roam Research is not a virus. Ensure the file is located at C:\Program Files\Roam Research\Roam.exe and has a valid digital signature from Roam Research, Inc.

Why is roam.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU often comes from heavy graph rendering, large graphs with many blocks, or active sync. Use Roam Task Manager (if available) to identify the culprit, then close the tab or pause syncing.

Can I delete roam.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall Roam Research Desktop via Windows Settings → Apps. Your roaming data may be retained if you sync with your Roam account; otherwise, data could be removed locally.

Can I disable roam.exe?

Yes, you can close Roam or disable startup and background sync. To stop Roam from launching at login, disable the startup entry in Task Manager → Startup.

Why is Roam starting at startup?

Roam may be configured to launch at Windows startup to ensure your graphs are ready when you sign in. Disable this in Task Manager → Startup or in Roam's settings.

Why are there multiple roam.exe processes?

Roam uses a multi-process architecture to isolate graph rendering, syncing, and UI tasks. This improves stability; you can see each function in Task Manager.