Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Commonly located within JetBrains IDE folders or Toolbox installations
Warning
Low risk, essential for IDE workflow
If mislocated or high resource usage, verify path
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disabling may affect plugin management; consider leaving enabled and reducing usage instead
What is servicehub.exe?
servicehub.exe is the background host for JetBrains' ServiceHub framework. It coordinates plugin processes, tooling services, and inter-process communication within JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and WebStorm. This service enables dynamic loading and management of extensions.
It uses a multi-process architecture to isolate IDE components and plugins, improving stability and responsiveness by delegating tasks such as plugin loading, UI handling, background syncing, and inter-process communication to separate processes within the IDE ecosystem.
Quick Fact: ServiceHub is a core component used by JetBrains tooling to manage plugins; it helps update and load plugins without restarting the IDE.
Types of ServiceHub Processes
- Main Service: Core coordination process for the IDE
- Plugin Loader: Loads and isolates plugins
- Updater Agent: Handles plugin/tool updates in background
- Interop Bridge: Facilitates communication between IDE components
- Telemetry Gateway: Gathers usage telemetry and reporting
- Resource Manager: Monitors memory and CPU for plugin processes
Is servicehub.exe Safe?
Yes, servicehub.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from JetBrains downloaded from official sources (jetbrains.com or JetBrains Toolbox).
Is servicehub.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real servicehub.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may imitate names; verify path and signature.
How to Tell if servicehub.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in a JetBrains IDE folder, for example "C:\Program Files\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2\bin\servicehub.exe" or in the JetBrains Toolbox path under "C:\Users\Public\JetBrains\Toolbox\JetBrains Toolbox\bin\servicehub.exe".
- Digital Signature: Right-click servicehub.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "JetBrains s.r.o." as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low to moderate; extremely high usage when idle may indicate issue.
- Behavior: Should start with the IDE or Toolbox. Persistently running without an IDE session could indicate malware.
Red Flags: If servicehub.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32, runs without an IDE, lacks a valid signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus. Beware of similarly-named files like "servicehub32.exe".
Why Is servicehub.exe Running on My PC?
servicehub.exe runs to support JetBrains IDEs and toolchains. It may stay active for plugin management, updates, and inter-process tasks even when the IDE window is minimized.
Reasons it's running:
- Active IDE Use: You're running a JetBrains IDE; ServiceHub coordinates plugins and subsystems.
- Background Plugin Management: Plugins loaded on-demand and updated via the hub while IDE runs.
- Toolbox Auto-Launch: JetBrains Toolbox may launch servicehub to manage IDEs and plugins.
- Update Checks: Automatic plugin or IDE component checks may trigger servicehub activity.
- Telemetry and Analytics: Optional telemetry traffic may run through the hub when enabled.
Can I Disable or Remove servicehub.exe?
Yes, you can manage its activity, but fully removing it is not recommended if you use JetBrains IDEs. Disabling some features or closing the IDE typically suffices.
How to Stop servicehub.exe
- Close IDE: Exit all JetBrains IDEs to allow the hub to idle down.
- End Task: In Task Manager, locate servicehub.exe and End Task. This may interrupt updates until IDE restarts.
- Disable Auto-Start: In JetBrains Toolbox, disable automatic startup for IDEs that rely on ServiceHub.
- Modify Update Settings: Within IDE or Toolbox settings, reduce or disable background update checks.
- Uninstall IDE (as last resort): If you no longer use JetBrains IDEs, uninstall them to remove servicehub entirely.
How to Uninstall JetBrains IDEs (to remove servicehub)
- ✔ JetBrains Toolbox: Uninstall the IDE from Toolbox, then delete Toolbox directory.
- ✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Uninstall JetBrains IDE
- ✔ Remove Toolbox launcher from Startup if needed
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If servicehub.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Idle or background tasks: Wait for background tasks to complete; ensure you don't have many plugins loaded at once.
- Outdated JetBrains tooling: Update to latest IDE and ServiceHub version via JetBrains Toolbox or IDE updater.
- Misbehaving plugins: Disable or uninstall problematic plugins in the IDE.
- Corrupted cache: Invalidate caches and restart IDE from menu: File > Invalidate Caches / Restart.
- Background telemetry: Disable telemetry in IDE settings if you want lower resource usage; otherwise leave enabled.
- Multiple IDE instances: Close redundant IDE instances to reduce hub load.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close idle JetBrains IDEs and projects
2. Update JetBrains Toolbox and IDEs
3. Disable unnecessary plugins in the IDE
4. Clear caches: File > Invalidate Caches / Restart
5. Check for background tasks in Toolbox and stop unnecessary tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is servicehub.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate servicehub.exe from JetBrains is not a virus. It is part of JetBrains IDE infrastructure and typically located in IDE install folders or JetBrains Toolbox paths.
Why is servicehub.exe using CPU when I haven't opened an IDE?
ServiceHub may still be performing background update checks or plugin management tasks. Check Toolbox settings and ensure no IDE is left running in the background.
Can I disable servicehub.exe without breaking my IDE?
Disabling can affect plugin loading and updates. It's safer to close the IDE or restrict background tasks rather than permanently disabling ServiceHub.
How do I know if servicehub.exe is legitimate?
Verify the file path to a JetBrains install directory, check the digital signature for JetBrains s.r.o., and compare with known IDE version folders.
How can I reduce memory usage of ServiceHub?
Limit loaded plugins or reduce concurrent IDE instances; enable Memory Saver if available; regularly update to stable builds.