Quick Answer
viber.exe is safe. It's the official Viber Desktop client for Windows, handling chats, calls, and notifications with multiple processes to improve stability and responsiveness.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Viber\Viber.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Viber\Viber.exe
Warning
Multiple processes normal
Each chat, call, or feature may run in its own process
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Viber when not in use; disable background activities in Settings → Notifications and System
What is viber.exe?
viber.exe is the Windows executable for the Viber Desktop Messaging app. It powers the main window, chats, calls, and background sync. You’ll often see several viber.exe processes in Task Manager as you interact with conversations, media, and alerts. These processes allow Viber to isolate message rendering from the UI and keep calls responsive.
Viber uses a multi‑process architecture to separate the user interface, chat renderers, and background services. Each active chat or feature may spawn a dedicated process, improving responsiveness and isolating faults from the core UI.
Quick Fact: Viber’s desktop app uses multi‑process isolation to keep messaging responsive even during heavy activity.
Types of Viber Processes
- UI Process: Main window and controls
- Renderer Process: Chat tabs and message rendering
- Call/Media Process: Voice/video call handling
- Background Sync Process: Syncs messages and contacts
- Notification Process: System tray notifications
- Update/Utility Process: Update checks and auxiliary tasks
Is viber.exe Safe?
Yes, viber.exe is safe when it’s the legitimate file from Viber downloaded from official sources (viber.com or pre-installed by the device).
Is viber.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real viber.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can mimic the name. Verify the file path and signature to be sure.
How to Tell if viber.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Viber\Viber.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Viber\Viber.exe. Any viber.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer Viber Media S.à r.l..
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is roughly 2-15% CPU per active chat and 40-250 MB memory. Constant high usage with no UI open is suspicious.
- Behavior: Viber should launch when you open the app. Background processes with no UI or never-ending activity may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If viber.exe is located outside the Viber folder, has no digital signature, or runs at high resource usage when the app isn’t open, scan with antivirus immediately. Beware of similarly named files like "viber.exe" or "viber_console.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is viber.exe Running on My PC?
viber.exe runs when you open Viber Desktop or when Viber is configured to run in the background for quick notifications.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Messaging: You are actively using chats or calls; each action may spawn a process.
- Background Sync: Viber synchronizes messages, contacts, and media in the background.
- System Tray Notifications: Notification tasks run to deliver alerts even when the main window isn't focused.
- Startup Launch: Viber can be set to start automatically at Windows startup.
- Voice/Video Calls: Media handling for calls uses separate processes to manage codecs and streams.
Can I Disable or Remove viber.exe?
Yes, you can disable viber.exe. It's safe to close Viber when not in use, and you can uninstall the application if you switch to another messaging client.
How to Stop viber.exe
- Close Viber: Exit the app from the system tray or use Alt+F4.
- End Individual Processes: Open Task Manager (C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe), locate viber.exe, and End Task as needed.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Viber.
- Disable Background: In Viber Settings → Notifications or System, turn off background tasks.
- Reduce Auto-Launch: Remove Viber from Startup if you don't want it to start automatically.
How to Uninstall Viber
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Viber → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Viber → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternatives: WhatsApp Desktop, Telegram, Signal
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If viber.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Active Chats: Close unused chats or mute conversations you don’t need.
- Background Sync Enabled: Disable or limit background synchronization in Settings.
- Resource-Heavy Media: Avoid large video downloads or media in groups; pause or delete large attachments.
- Outdated Viber Version: Update to the latest version via Viber → Help → Check for updates.
- Corrupted Cache: Clear Viber cache from Settings → Storage → Clear cache.
- Hardware Acceleration: Disable hardware acceleration in Settings → Advanced → System.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager (C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe) and locate viber.exe to assess usage
2. Close unused chats and media; restart Viber
3. Clear cache and data: Settings → Storage → Clear cache
4. Update Viber to the latest version
5. Disable background activity in Settings → Notifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Is viber.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate viber.exe from Viber is not a virus. Verify the file path and signature to ensure it’s the official Viber Desktop client.
Why is viber.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU is usually caused by active calls, heavy chats or media, or problematic extensions. Open Task Manager (C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe) to identify culprits.
Can I delete viber.exe?
You can uninstall Viber via Windows Settings → Apps if you no longer need it. Your chat history may be preserved if you use cloud sync.
Can I disable viber.exe?
Yes. Close the app, disable startup in Task Manager, and turn off background tasks in Settings.
Why does Viber start on boot?
Viber can be configured to launch at Windows startup to provide rapid notifications; disable this in Task Manager → Startup.
Why are there multiple viber.exe processes?
Viber uses a multi‑process architecture to separate UI, chats, and background services; this improves stability and responsiveness.