Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Typically located under C:\Program Files\Veeam\Backup
Warning
Most veeam.exe processes are legitimate
If veeam.exe appears in unusual folders or without a valid signature, investigate further
Can I Disable?
YES
Disabling stops backups. Use the Veeam Agent UI to pause schedules or stop the service
What is veeam.exe?
veeam.exe is the core executable for the Veeam Agent for Windows backup solution. It runs as a background service and coordinates backup jobs, catalog creation, and restores by spawning child processes for each task.
Veeam Agent uses a modular, service-based design. veeam.exe orchestrates scheduled backups, interacts with Windows VSS snapshots, and writes backup catalogs while keeping the UI responsive and resilient.
Quick Fact: Veeam introduced agent-based backup orchestration to enable reliable recovery points across devices.
Types of Veeam Processes
- Agent Service: Core daemon that schedules and manages backup tasks
- Worker Process: Spawns per-backup and per-restore tasks
- Catalog Service: Maintains backup catalogs and retention data
- Notification Task: Sends backup status messages and alerts
- Verification Process: Runs integrity checks on backup sets
- Mount/Snapshot Helper: Handles VSS or snapshot mounting during backups
Is veeam.exe Safe?
Yes, veeam.exe is safe when it is the legitimate file from Veeam Software and located in a proper Program Files path.
Is veeam.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real veeam.exe is not a virus. Malware sometimes uses similar names; verify the file path and digital signature to prove authenticity.
How to Tell if veeam.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Veeam\Backup\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Veeam\Backup\. Any veeam.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click veeam.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show signer as Veeam Software.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU per backup task, 50-600 MB total memory. Constant high usage outside backups is suspicious.
- Behavior: Veeam Agent runs as a service or scheduled task. If veeam.exe is active without backups or UI interaction, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If veeam.exe sits outside standard Veeam folders, lacks a signature, or runs continuously with no backup activity, run a full antivirus scan and verify with Veeam support.
Why Is veeam.exe Running on My PC?
veeam.exe runs to coordinate backup operations and ensure recoveries are available. It can operate in the background during idle periods and on a defined backup schedule.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Backup Jobs: A backup job or restore operation is currently in progress, causing veeam.exe to run worker processes.
- Scheduled Backups: A backup job is scheduled to run at a future time or on a recurring interval.
- Verification and Integrity Checks: Veeam verifies backup integrity after completion or on a maintenance window.
- Backup Catalog Maintenance: Catalog indexing, retention pruning, and cleanup tasks run in the background.
- Background Notifications: Status alerts or email notifications may trigger veeam.exe tasks and worker threads.
Can I Disable or Remove veeam.exe?
Yes, you can disable veeam.exe. Stopping the Veeam Agent service or pausing schedules halts backups; you can uninstall the Veeam Agent if you no longer need it.
How to Stop veeam.exe
- Pause Backup Schedules: Open Veeam Agent UI and disable or pause all backup schedules.
- Stop the Service: Open Services.msc, locate 'Veeam Agent' or 'Veeam Agent Service', right-click Stop.
- Disable Startup: In Task Manager → Startup tab, disable 'Veeam Agent' if present.
- Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps & Features → Veeam Agent for Windows → Uninstall.
- Confirm: Restart the computer to ensure veeam.exe does not start automatically.
How to Uninstall Veeam Agent
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Veeam Agent for Windows → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Veeam Agent for Windows → Uninstall
- ✔ Reboot and verify the backup service is removed from the system
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If veeam.exe is consuming excessive resources during backup, verify job settings and system health.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Concurrent Backups or Large Job Sets: Limit the number of concurrent backups or split large backup sets into smaller jobs.
- Background Catalog Scans: Pause or schedule catalog maintenance to off-peak hours.
- Antivirus Interference: Add veeam.exe and backup folders to exclusions; temporarily disable real-time scanning during backups.
- Outdated Software: Update Veeam Agent to the latest version via the UI or vendor site.
- I/O-Heavy Backups: Schedule backups to off-peak times and ensure disk throughput is adequate.
- Poor Network Bandwidth: Limit network throttling for backup jobs or use local backup storage when possible.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Veeam Agent UI and identify active backup jobs
2. Pause large or unnecessary backups
3. Update veeam.exe through the UI
4. Add exclusions for veeam.exe and backup folders in antivirus
5. Restart the Veeam Agent service if issues persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is veeam.exe safe?
Yes. The legitimate veeam.exe from Veeam Software located in a proper Program Files path is safe. Verify the path and digital signature before assuming safety.
Why is veeam.exe using so much CPU?
CPU usage spikes during backup or verification tasks. Check active jobs in the Veeam Agent UI and ensure backups aren’t running concurrently or encountering errors.
Can I delete veeam.exe?
If you no longer need backups, you can uninstall the Veeam Agent for Windows from Settings > Apps. This removes veeam.exe and related components.
Can I disable veeam.exe from starting at boot?
Yes. Disable startup execution in Task Manager → Startup, or disable the Veeam Agent service in Services.msc. You can still run backups manually if needed.
Where are Veeam backups stored by the Agent?
Backups are stored in the configured backup repository you selected in the Veeam Agent UI or in a connected storage target, with catalog metadata in the backup catalog.
How do I update Veeam Agent?
Open Veeam Agent UI and check for updates, or download the latest installer from the Veeam website and run it to upgrade the Agent components.