simplenote.exe

Simplenote Desktop Application

Application ProcessSafeNote-Taking App

CPU Usage

2-12%

Memory

20-180 MB

Location

Program Files\Simplenote

Publisher

Automattic, Inc.

Quick Answer

simplenote.exe is safe. It's the official desktop client for Simplenote that syncs notes through the cloud and stores data locally for offline access.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\Simplenote\ or Program Files (x86)\Simplenote\

Warning

Background tasks may spawn

Sync and notifier services can run in the background

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close the app or disable startup to stop background syncing

What is simplenote.exe?

simplenote.exe is the main Windows executable for the Simplenote Desktop application. It launches the note-taking client, synchronizes your notes with the Simplenote cloud, and maintains a local cache for offline access. The process may spawn helper threads for syncing, UI rendering, and background tasks to keep the app responsive.

It uses a multi-process model with a UI process and background sync services that communicate with the cloud via REST/WebSocket APIs to keep notes up-to-date across devices.

Quick Fact: Simplenote's desktop client emphasizes fast offline access by caching notes locally while syncing changes in the background.

Types of Simplenote Processes

Main UI Process: Handles the user interface and user interactions (1 instance)
Sync Process: Background synchronization with the cloud (one or more instances)
Notifier Service: Pushes new-note alerts and reminders to the system tray
Cache/Storage: Local data cache for offline access

Is simplenote.exe Safe?

Yes, simplenote.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Automattic downloaded from official sources (simplenote.com, Microsoft Store, or official installers).

Is simplenote.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real simplenote.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may masquerade under similar names. Always verify location and signature.

How to Tell if simplenote.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Simplenote\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Simplenote\. Any simplenote.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Automattic, Inc."
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-12% CPU per process, 20-180 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Should launch with the app and minimize to tray; unexpected persistent background activity without user action is a red flag.

Red Flags: If simplenote.exe is in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when not launched, has no valid digital signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with a reputable antivirus. Be aware of similarly-named files like "simplenote32.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is simplenote.exe Running on My PC?

simplenote.exe runs to support active use, background syncing, startup behavior, and notifications. It may appear even when the app is minimized or closed if settings allow background operation.

Reasons it's running:

Active Usage: You are actively editing, viewing, or creating notes in the Simplenote Desktop client.
Background Sync: The app periodically syncs with the cloud to keep notes current across devices.
Startup Program: Simplenote may be configured to launch automatically when Windows starts.
Background Notifications: The notifier service runs to deliver new-notice alerts for updated/shared notes.
Automatic Updates: The app may check for and apply updates in the background to ensure you have the latest features and fixes.

Can I Disable or Remove simplenote.exe?

Yes, you can disable simplenote.exe. It's safe to close the app when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer another note-taking solution.

How to Stop simplenote.exe

Exit the App: Use the system tray icon or File → Exit to close Simplenote completely.
End the Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate simplenote.exe, right-click → End Task
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Simplenote
Disable Background Sync: In Simplenote Settings → Preferences → Sync, turn off automatic sync on startup
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Simplenote → Uninstall (or use the installer to remove)

How to Uninstall Simplenote

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Simplenote → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Simplenote → Uninstall
✔ After uninstall, consider an alternative note app like Standard Notes or Evernote

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If simplenote.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too many Notes or Attachments: Large notebooks or many attachments can spike usage. Archive or delete unused notes to reduce load.
Background Sync Activity: Check Sync settings; schedule sync or disable auto-sync temporarily to reduce load.
Outdated App Version: Update to the latest version: Settings → Help → Check for updates
Background Notifier Overload: Disable or adjust notification frequency in Settings → Notifications
Corrupted Cache: Clear cache/data via Settings → Advanced → Clear Local Cache
Conflicting Extensions: Disable extensions or add-ins that interact with Simplenote data if applicable

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Simplenote Task Manager (if available) to find high-usage items and terminate them
2. Restart Simplenote to clear temporary resource spikes
3. Check for updates and install the latest version
4. Disable non-essential sync or notifications in settings
5. If issues persist, reinstall Simplenote from official source

Frequently Asked Questions

Is simplenote.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate simplenote.exe from Automattic is not a virus. Verify the file location at C:\Program Files\Simplenote\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Simplenote\ and ensure a valid signature from Automattic, Inc.

Why is simplenote.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU is usually caused by heavy syncing, indexing large notes, or background notifications. Use Task Manager or the built-in Activity monitor to identify the culprit and adjust sync settings or close unused notes.

Can I delete or uninstall simplenote.exe?

Yes. Uninstall Simplenote from Windows Settings → Apps or Control Panel. Your notes can be synced to the cloud if you have an account, otherwise local data will be removed.

How do I stop simplenote.exe from starting at boot?

Disable in Task Manager → Startup, or adjust Windows startup settings. Also disable any auto-start options in Simplenote’s own preferences.

Why isn’t my notes syncing across devices?

Check your internet connection, verify you’re logged into the same Simplenote account, and ensure sync is enabled in Settings. You may also try signing out and back in or refreshing the cache.

Does Simplenote run on older Windows versions?

Simplenote Desktop supports recent Windows versions. For older Windows builds, check the official requirements and download the version compatible with your OS.