SharePointDesigner.exe

What is SharePointDesigner.exe?

sharepoint-designer-exe is the executable for Microsoft SharePoint Designer, a client tool used to design, customize, and configure SharePoint sites, lists, and workflows from your workstation. It connects to SharePoint servers to fetch site definitions and assets for offline editing.

SharePoint Designer communicates with SharePoint servers via web services and CSOM/REST APIs, loading site schemas, assets, and workflows into a design surface for authoring and publishing changes back to the server.

Types of SharePoint Designer Processes

• Designer UI Process: Main window and user interface for designing sites
• Content Loader: Loads site definitions, lists, and libraries from the server
• Workflow Runtime: Design-time workflow authoring and validation tasks
• Asset Sync Process: Synchronizes assets like templates and media with the server
• Helper/Extension Process: Loads optional design-time extensions and add-ins
• Background Validation: Performs background checks, publishing readiness, and caching

Is sharepoint-designer-exe Safe?

Yes, sharepoint-designer-exe is safe when it is the legitimate Microsoft file from official sources (microsoft.com or via Office installation).

Is sharepoint-designer-exe a Virus or Malware?

The real sharepoint-designer-exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can imitate file names. Verify the path and signature.

How to Tell if sharepoint-designer-exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\SharePoint Designer 2013\SharePointDesigner.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SharePoint Designer 2013\SharePointDesigner.exe
2. Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show 'Microsoft Corporation' or 'Microsoft Corp.'
3. Resource Usage: Normal SPD usage is light while idle; higher during design tasks but not continuously 100% CPU
4. Behavior: SPD should run when you launch the designer and close when you exit. Background persistence without user action is suspicious.

Why Is sharepoint-designer-exe Running on My PC?

SharePoint Designer runs when you are actively designing a site, editing workflows, or when design-time components are loading from a connected SharePoint server.

Reasons it's running:

• Active Design Session: You have SPD open to modify a site, list, or workflow; the UI and loaders run to render the design surface.
• Background Sync or Validation: SPD may perform background validation, asset syncing, and template caching while editing.
• Office/SharePoint Integration: Office integration features may trigger SPD components to initialize for publishing or exporting designs.
• Startup or Autorun: SPD can be configured to launch at Windows startup or when Office is loaded.
• Cache and Offline Work: SPD loads cached site data for offline editing; background threads remain ready for quick access.

Can I Disable or Remove sharepoint-designer-exe?

Yes, you can disable or remove SharePoint Designer. Close SPD when not editing, and uninstall it if you no longer need it.

How to Stop sharepoint-designer-exe

• Close Projects: Close all open SPD projects or windows
• Exit the Application: Use File → Exit or click the close button
• End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager and end any SPD-related processes (if they persist)
• Prevent Startup: Windows: Disable Office/SharePoint integration in startup programs or uncheck Load at Startup in SPD settings
• Stop Background Sync: In SPD settings, disable background design-time tasks if available

How to Uninstall SharePoint Designer

• ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → SharePoint Designer → Uninstall
• ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → SharePoint Designer → Uninstall
• ✔ Consider alternatives: Power Apps, Power Automate, or modern SharePoint development approaches

Common Problems: SPD Performance or Crashes

If sharepoint-designer-exe is unresponsive or slow, try targeted troubleshooting focused on design tasks and server connectivity.

Common Causes & Solutions

• Large design projects with many controls: Split into smaller pages or use template-driven components; save progress frequently.
• Outdated SPD version: Update to the latest supported SharePoint Designer version from Microsoft.
• Office/SharePoint integration: Repair Office installation or re-run SPD integration setup.
• Conflicting add-ins: Disable or remove SPD add-ins in Office to identify conflicts.
• Network latency to SharePoint: Improve connectivity or work offline with local copies when possible.
• Corrupted design templates: Reset SPD settings or restore from a clean profile; re-import templates.

Related Processes