rocket-chat.exe

Rocket.Chat Desktop Client

Application ProcessSafeChat Application

CPU Usage

1-8%

Memory

120-500 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Rocket.Chat

Publisher

Rocket.Chat

Quick Answer

rocket-chat.exe is safe. It's Rocket.Chat's official desktop client executable built on Electron that opens real-time chats, channels, and mentions, while managing the UI and background synchronization.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Rocket.Chat\Rocket.Chat.exe

Warning

Multiple processes

Rocket.Chat uses Electron with renderer processes for UI panels; multiple processes are expected and normal

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close Rocket.Chat when not in use or disable startup via Task Manager

What is rocket-chat.exe?

rocket-chat.exe is the Windows desktop executable for the Rocket.Chat desktop client. Built on Electron, it launches the chat interface, connects securely to Rocket.Chat servers, and enables real-time messaging, file sharing, and presence indicators. It uses multiple child processes for UI rendering, background synchronization, and notifications to maintain responsiveness and stability.

Rocket.Chat uses a multi-process Electron architecture. The rocket-chat.exe process manages the main UI and coordinates renderer processes for each chat, while background workers maintain server communication, presence updates, and push notifications, all while sandboxing components for security.

Quick Fact: Rocket.Chat pioneered real-time, multi-process chat architecture in a desktop client, keeping the UI responsive while handling background sync.

Types of Rocket.Chat Processes

Main Process: Handles the application window and user interface
Renderer Process: Per-chat panel rendering of chat content
Background Process: Server synchronization and presence updates
Notification Process: Desktop notifications and alerting
Update Process: Handles auto-update checks and installations
Utility Process: Networking and ancillary tasks

Is rocket-chat.exe Safe?

Yes, rocket-chat.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Rocket.Chat downloaded from official sources.

Is rocket-chat.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real rocket-chat.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if rocket-chat.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Rocket.Chat\Rocket.Chat.exe or C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Programs\Rocket.Chat\Rocket.Chat.exe. Any rocket-chat.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "Rocket.Chat" or a recognizable publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-8% CPU per instance and 120-500 MB memory. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Rocket.Chat should run when you launch the app or a background notifier is enabled. If you see it start without user action, scan for malware.

Red Flags: If rocket-chat.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\\Roaming, or System32), runs when Rocket.Chat isn't open, has no valid digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "rocket-chat32.exe" or "rocketchat.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is rocket-chat.exe Running on My PC?

rocket-chat.exe runs when you open the Rocket.Chat desktop client or when background tasks such as notifications and sync are enabled.

Reasons it's running:

Active User Session: You're actively using Rocket.Chat; each window/panel may spawn a renderer process to display content.
Background Sync: Presence, message syncing, and file indexing occur in the background to provide up-to-date data.
Startup Program: Rocket.Chat can be configured to launch at Windows startup, keeping you signed in.
Notifications: Desktop notifications require a background component to stay connected to the server.
Real-Time Connection: A persistent WebSocket connection to the Rocket.Chat server delivers live chat updates.

Can I Disable or Remove rocket-chat.exe?

Yes, you can disable rocket-chat.exe. It's safe to close Rocket.Chat when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different chat client.

How to Stop rocket-chat.exe

Exit the Application: Click the X or use File → Quit to close Rocket.Chat gracefully.
System Tray: Right-click the Rocket.Chat icon in the system tray and select Quit or Exit.
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Rocket.Chat
Background Settings: Settings → Notifications → Disable 'Run in background' to stop background tasks.
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Rocket.Chat → Uninstall

How to Uninstall Rocket.Chat

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Rocket.Chat → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Rocket.Chat → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative chat clients: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If rocket-chat.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Chats or Panels Open: Close unused chat windows or reduce the number of active panels; consider muting idle conversations.
Background Sync or Notifications: Disable nonessential notifications and background sync in Settings.
Outdated Client: Update Rocket.Chat to the latest version from the official site or app store.
Network Issues: Check network connectivity and server reachability; jittery connections increase resource use.
Corrupted Cache: Clear the application cache or reinstall Rocket.Chat to reset local data.
Security Software Interference: Add Rocket.Chat to antivirus exclusions to prevent heavy scanning from causing slowdowns.

Quick Fixes:
1. Quit and restart Rocket.Chat to reset processes
2. Close idle chats or panels, reduce concurrent chats
3. Check for updates and install the latest version
4. Review Settings → Notifications and disable background run
5. Clear cache and temporary data from Settings or reinstall

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rocket-chat.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate rocket-chat.exe from Rocket.Chat is not a virus. Ensure the file path is C:\Program Files\Rocket.Chat\Rocket.Chat.exe and that the digital signature shows Rocket.Chat.

Why is rocket-chat.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU can result from many active chats, media-heavy content, or problematic network conditions. Use the Rocket.Chat task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc within the app) to identify culprit windows or components, then close or mute them.

Can I delete rocket-chat.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall Rocket.Chat via Windows Settings → Apps → Rocket.Chat → Uninstall. Your chat history may be preserved if you sync to a Rocket.Chat account.

Can I disable rocket-chat.exe at startup?

Yes. Disable it in Task Manager → Startup tab, or within Rocket.Chat's Settings under System or Notifications to stop running on login.

Why are there so many rocket-chat.exe processes?

Rocket.Chat uses a multi-process architecture where the main process coordinates UI and background tasks, and renderer processes handle individual chat panels. This modular design improves stability.

How can I reduce Rocket.Chat's memory usage?

Close unused chats, disable nonessential notifications or background tasks, update to the latest version, and consider using the Memory Saver or lightweight theme if available.