webstorm.exe

JetBrains WebStorm IDE

Application ProcessSafeJavaScript/TypeScript IDE

CPU Usage

2-15%

Memory

150-700 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

JetBrains s.r.o.

Quick Answer

webstorm.exe is safe. It's JetBrains' official WebStorm IDE executable, designed to run as a desktop development environment for JavaScript/TypeScript projects.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\WebStorm\\bin\\webstorm64.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

WebStorm may spawn multiple background tasks for indexing, code analysis, and plugin handling

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close WebStorm or disable startup/background tasks in settings

What is webstorm.exe?

webstorm.exe is the executable for JetBrains WebStorm, a specialized IDE for modern JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, and CSS development. WebStorm uses several background processes for indexing, code analysis, and plugin tasks, while the main window delivers editing, navigation, and debugging features for large web projects.

WebStorm runs as multiple processes: a primary IDE process, indexer, code-analysis workers, and plugin handlers. This separation improves responsiveness and stability during large projects but increases memory usage as you open more files.

Quick Fact: WebStorm was built with a focus on fast, intelligent code analysis for JavaScript/TypeScript and integrates deeply with modern web tooling.

Types of WebStorm Processes

Main IDE Process: User interface, editor, menus, and tool windows
Indexer Process: Background indexing of project files for search and navigation
Code Analysis Process: Static analysis and inspections running in parallel
Plugin Process: Plugins run in separate processes for isolation
File Watcher Process: Background watchers for file changes and task runners
Test Runner Process: Unit test execution and debugging tasks

Is webstorm.exe Safe?

Yes, webstorm.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from JetBrains downloaded from official sources (jetbrains.com or via JetBrains Toolbox).

Is webstorm.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real webstorm.exe is NOT a virus, but malware may imitate names. Verify the signature.

How to Tell if webstorm.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\WebStorm\\bin\\webstorm64.exe or webstorm.exe. Any webstorm.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "JetBrains s.r.o." as the signer.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU per process, 150-700 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when WebStorm is not actively editing is suspicious.
Behavior: WebStorm should run when you launch the IDE. Multiple instances when you haven't started WebStorm may indicate malware.

Red Flags: If webstorm.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when WebStorm isn't launched, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "webstorm.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is webstorm.exe Running on My PC?

WebStorm runs when you open the IDE or when startup tasks are enabled. It may also run indexers and background workers while you work on projects.

Reasons it's running:

Active Project Editing: You have WebStorm open with files active; each open file can trigger background analysis and indexing.
Background Indexing and Inspections: Indexing and real-time code inspections run in parallel to provide instant feedback and fast navigation.
Plugin and Tooling Tasks: Plugins, linters, and test runners may run as separate processes to isolate activities.
File Watchers and Build Tasks: File watchers detect changes and trigger tasks like transpilation or bundling in the background.
Startup and Launcher Integration: JetBrains Toolbox or Windows startup settings may launch WebStorm automatically at system boot or login.

Can I Disable or Remove webstorm.exe?

Yes, you can disable webstorm.exe. It's safe to close WebStorm when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer another IDE.

How to Stop webstorm.exe

Close WebStorm: Use File > Exit or click the X to close all WebStorm windows
End Individual Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate webstorm64.exe or webstorm.exe, and End Task
Disable Startup: Windows Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable JetBrains Toolbox (or WebStorm) from launching at login
Stop Background Tasks: In WebStorm, Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Disable background indexing or automatic tasks when not editing

How to Uninstall WebStorm

✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > WebStorm > Uninstall
✔ JetBrains Toolbox > Settings > Installed > WebStorm > Uninstall
✔ If desired, remove remaining configuration folders from your user profile (e.g., C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\WebStorm)

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If webstorm.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large project with many files: Wait for initial indexing to finish or exclude folders not needed for the current work from indexing
Background indexing: Allow indexing to complete; disable or adjust indexing settings in WebStorm
Resource-Heavy Plugins: Disable or remove unnecessary plugins via Settings > Plugins
JavaScript/TypeScript tooling: Update WebStorm and tooling, or adjust code-analysis settings to reduce overhead
Outdated WebStorm version: Update to the latest version via Help > Check for Updates
Antivirus Scanning: Add WebStorm executable to antivirus exclusions to reduce IO overhead

Quick Fixes:
1. Wait for initial indexing to complete or optimize project structure
2. Disable unnecessary plugins in Settings > Plugins
3. Update WebStorm to the latest version
4. Exclude large folders from indexing under Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Indexing
5. Add WebStorm to antivirus exclusions to reduce IO overhead

Frequently Asked Questions

Is webstorm.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate webstorm.exe from JetBrains is not a virus. Verify the file location is C:\\Program Files\\JetBrains\\WebStorm\\bin\\webstorm64.exe (or webstorm.exe) and ensure the digital signature shows JetBrains s.r.o.

Why is webstorm.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU is usually caused by active indexing, real-time code analysis, or heavy plugins in large projects. Use Task Manager or WebStorm Task Manager (Shift+Esc) to identify culprits, then optimize or disable them.

Can I delete webstorm.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall WebStorm via Windows Settings > Apps or JetBrains Toolbox. Your personal settings may be preserved if you back them up, but project files and dependencies remain on disk.

Can I disable webstorm.exe from starting at login?

Yes. Disable from Windows Startup tab or from JetBrains Toolbox settings to stop automatic launching at login.

Why does WebStorm open at startup after I install it?

JetBrains Toolbox or your OS startup settings may be configured to launch WebStorm automatically. Disable the auto-start in Toolbox or the Windows Startup programs list.

How can I speed up WebStorm on large projects?

Indexing management, memory tuning, plugin pruning, and enabling Memory Saver/Power Save modes can improve performance. Consider increasing IDE heap in vmoptions and excluding unnecessary folders from indexing.