Quick Answer
scrivener.exe is safe. It's the official Scrivener writing application executable that runs the editor, corkboard, outlines, and compile features with a multi-process architecture for stability.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Scrivener\\Scrivener.exe
Warning
Multiple processes may appear
Scrivener uses separate processes for UI, autosave, and syncing to maintain responsiveness.
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can close Scrivener or disable startup/background syncing to reduce activity
What is scrivener.exe?
scrivener.exe is the main Windows executable for the Scrivener writing application. It launches the editor, corkboard, outlines, and compile tools, and coordinates autosave, project backups, and background syncing with cloud services. The process manages UI rendering, document handling, and overall project state while you work on your manuscript.
Scrivener uses a standard desktop app model where scrivener.exe hosts the user interface and opens project files (.scrivener3). Background tasks like autosave, search indexing, and syncing run in separate threads or subprocesses to keep the UI responsive.
Quick Fact: Scrivener's Windows build focuses on project-level data integrity; the scrivener.exe process coordinates the editor and UI while background tasks handle autosave and syncing.
Types of Scrivener Processes
- Main UI Process: Core UI, project loading, editing
- Autosave/Background Tasks: Periodic autosave and background syncing
- Compiler and Export: Compile drafts, export formats, and preview rendering
- Search and Indexer: Full-text indexing and fast search across a project
- Sync Helper: Handles cloud sync (Scrivener Cloud, Dropbox) when enabled
- Diagnostics/Crash Reporter: Optional crash reporting and diagnostics
Is scrivener.exe Safe?
Yes, scrivener.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Literature & Latte downloaded from official sources or installed by the vendor.
Is scrivener.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real scrivener.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may masquerade with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if scrivener.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Scrivener\\Scrivener.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Scrivener\\Scrivener.exe. Any scrivener.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "Literature & Latte".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-18% CPU per process, 60-350 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when Scrivener is not in active use is suspicious.
- Behavior: Scrivener should run when you launch the app. Multiple instances when Scrivener is closed indicates malware.
Red Flags: If scrivener.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Scrivener 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 "scrivener32.exe" or "scrivener.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is scrivener.exe Running on My PC?
scrivener.exe runs when you open Scrivener or when background tasks such as autosave, indexing, and cloud syncing are active.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Editing: You're actively editing a Scrivener project; the UI process stays loaded to respond quickly.
- Autosave and Backups: Scrivener periodically saves changes and creates backups to prevent data loss.
- Compile or Export: Running a compile/export operation will engage processing within scrivener.exe.
- Cloud Sync: Syncing with Scrivener Cloud or third-party services can keep scraps of data in flight, keeping your project up to date.
- Startup Launch: Scrivener may be configured to start with Windows or remain resident after you close the UI for quick re-launch.
Can I Disable or Remove scrivener.exe?
Yes, you can disable scrivener.exe. It's safe to close Scrivener when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different writing tool.
How to Stop scrivener.exe
- End Active Sessions: Close active Scrivener projects and use File → Exit to shut down the UI gracefully.
- Close Application: Click the X button to exit Scrivener or use Alt+F4 to close the window.
- End All Processes: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate scrivener.exe, right-click → End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Scrivener
- Stop Background Apps: In Scrivener: Tools → Options → Synchronization → Disable "Continue running background tasks when Scrivener is closed"
How to Uninstall Scrivener
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Scrivener → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Scrivener → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative writing tools: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Ulysses
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If scrivener.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large or Complex Projects: Large projects with many documents and image assets can spike memory usage. Consider splitting into smaller projects, archiving older sections, and using the Research folder for assets.
- Background Sync: Disable or limit cloud syncing temporarily in Scrivener's Preferences to see if usage drops.
- Autosave/Backups: Adjust autosave frequency in Tools → Options → General, and manage backups to reduce disk activity.
- Embedded Media: Heavy images, PDFs, or media embedded in a project can drive memory usage. Replace large assets with links where possible.
- Outdated Software: Update Scrivener to the latest version to benefit from performance fixes: Help → Check for Updates
- Antivirus Scanning: Some antivirus tools scan Scrivener files intensively. Exclude the Scrivener project folder from real-time scanning.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused Scrivener projects to free memory
2. Restart Scrivener to clear temporary memory usage
3. Disable background syncing temporarily in Preferences
4. Check for Scrivener updates and install if available
5. Enable Memory Saver mode in Settings if available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is scrivener.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate scrivener.exe from Literature & Latte is not a virus. Verify the path is C:\\Program Files\\Scrivener\\Scrivener.exe and that the digital signature matches Literature & Latte.
Why is scrivener.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can result from large projects, heavy exports, or background syncing. Use Scrivener Task Manager (View → Project Usage) to identify culprits, update the app, and disable unnecessary syncs.
Can I delete scrivener.exe?
You can uninstall Scrivener through Windows Settings → Apps or Control Panel. Deleting the executable manually may corrupt the application; use the proper uninstaller.
Can I disable scrivener.exe?
Yes. Close Scrivener and disable startup through Task Manager. To stop background tasks, turn off background synchronization in Scrivener’s preferences.
Why is Scrivener starting at startup?
Scrivener may be configured to launch at Windows startup for quick access. Disable it in Task Manager → Startup by selecting Scrivener and choosing Disable.
Why are there multiple scrivener.exe processes?
Scrivener uses a modular architecture with separate processes for UI, autosave, and background tasks. This improves responsiveness but can show multiple scrivener.exe instances in Task Manager.