Quick Answer
telegram-service.exe is safe. It's a background service of Telegram Desktop responsible for notifications, updates, and background syncing, and is part of the legitimate Telegram installation.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Telegram Desktop\telegram-service.exe
Warning
Many processes normal
Telegram Desktop runs multiple background tasks for messaging, notifications, and network activity.
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can reduce background activity by disabling Telegram's background tasks in Settings and by closing the app when not in use.
What is telegram-service.exe?
telegram-service.exe runs as a dedicated background component of Telegram Desktop. It manages network I/O, push notifications, and offline synchronization to keep chats current even when the main window is minimized.
telegram-service.exe operates as a separate process to isolate networking and background tasks from the UI, improving reliability. It is part of Telegram Desktop built with Qt and uses IPC to coordinate with the main UI.
Quick Fact: Telegram Desktop uses a background service to deliver messages and alerts even when the main window is minimized.
Types of Telegram Processes
- Main UI Process: User interface, window management, and user interactions.
- Network/Background Service: telegram-service.exe handles background networking and syncing.
- Notification Process: Push notification handling and alert delivery.
- Update/Repair Process: Checks for updates and applies patches when available.
- Media Handling Process: Downloads and caches media as you view chats.
Is telegram-service.exe Safe?
Yes, telegram-service.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Telegram LLC downloaded from official sources (telegram.org or the official Telegram installer).
Is telegram-service.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real telegram-service.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes masquerades with similar names.
How to Tell if telegram-service.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Telegram Desktop\telegram-service.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Telegram Desktop\telegram-service.exe. Any telegram-service.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the telegram-service.exe in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Telegram LLC" as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-6% CPU, 40-120 MB memory. Extremely high usage when Telegram is closed is suspicious.
- Behavior: Telegram service should run only when Telegram is installed and may operate in background for notifications. If it runs without Telegram, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If telegram-service.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Telegram 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 telegram-service16.exe or telegram-service32.exe from untrusted sources.
Why Is telegram-service.exe Running on My PC?
telegram-service.exe runs to support Telegram Desktop operations such as message delivery, push notifications, and background syncing.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Telegram Use: You're actively using Telegram; the background service handles delivery and notifications for ongoing conversations.
- Background Sync: Telegram syncs chats, avatars, and settings in the background for instant access and up-to-date chats.
- Startup Launch: Telegram is configured to start with Windows; the service may start early to enable quick notifications.
- Notifications Listener: The service keeps a listener active to push new message alerts to your system tray.
- Automatic Updates: The service may check for updates and download patches in the background to keep Telegram current.
Can I Disable or Remove telegram-service.exe?
Yes, you can disable telegram-service.exe. It's safe to disable background tasks if you do not rely on Telegram notifications or background syncing, but you may lose message delivery when the app is closed.
How to Stop telegram-service.exe
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate telegram-service.exe, and End Task.
- Close Telegram Desktop: Exit the app to stop the background service.
- End All Processes: In Task Manager, select Telegram Desktop related processes and End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable Telegram Desktop.
- Disable Background Apps: In Telegram Settings -> Advanced -> 'Continue running background apps when Telegram is closed' toggle off.
How to Uninstall Telegram Desktop
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Telegram Desktop -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Telegram Desktop -> Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative messaging apps if needed
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If telegram-service.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Background Syncing: Reduce sync frequency in Telegram Settings; disable auto-download for media.
- Excessive Notifications: Turn off non-essential notifications or mute chats.
- Outdated Telegram Version: Update Telegram to the latest version from the official site.
- Malicious Extensions or Malware: Run a full antivirus scan and verify integrity; reinstall Telegram from the official source.
- Large Cache/Media: Clear Telegram cache via Settings -> Data and Storage -> Clear Cache.
- Corrupted App Data: Reinstall Telegram Desktop; ensure your chats are synced with the cloud.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager and identify telegram-service.exe for high usage
2. Restart Telegram Desktop
3. Update Telegram to the latest version
4. Limit background activities in Settings
5. Clear cache and data via Settings -> Data and Storage -> Clear Cache
Frequently Asked Questions
Is telegram-service.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate telegram-service.exe from Telegram LLC is a safe background service. Verify its path (C:\Program Files\Telegram Desktop\telegram-service.exe) and digital signature.
Why is telegram-service.exe using CPU?
It handles background messaging, network activity, and notification delivery. CPU usage rises with active chats, media downloads, or stale connections.
Can I delete telegram-service.exe?
You can uninstall Telegram Desktop via Windows Settings. Deleting the file manually may break the app. Reinstall if needed.
Can I disable telegram-service.exe?
Yes, you can disable background tasks via Telegram settings or Windows startup, but it will limit notifications and background syncing.
Why does telegram-service.exe start with Windows?
Telegram Desktop can be configured to launch at startup; disabling in Task Manager will prevent the service from starting automatically.
How do I verify telegram-service.exe integrity?
Check file location, verify digital signature shows Telegram LLC, and scan for malware if suspicious.