Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\WriteRoom or C:\Program Files (x86)\WriteRoom and signed by WriteRoom, Inc.
Warning
Multiple processes can be normal
Each document and background task may run in a separate process
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close the editor to disable, and remove startup entry if needed
What is writeroom.exe?
writeroom.exe is the Windows executable for the WriteRoom distraction-free text editor. It launches a lightweight editor window and coordinates document rendering, autosave, spelling, and simple plugin-like features in a lean, multi-threaded process. Multiple instances can appear when editing several documents.
This process uses a single main UI thread with background tasks for autosave and spell checking. It relies on Windows UI APIs and UTF-8 text encoding, keeping the editor responsive while avoiding heavy rendering engines on typical systems.
Quick Fact: WriteRoom was designed for distraction-free writing and minimal resource use; it typically runs with a small memory footprint and a separate autosave thread.
Types of WriteRoom Processes
- Editor UI Process: Main window and command handling
- Renderer Process: Document rendering and text layout per document
- Autosave Process: Background autosave and versioning
- Spellcheck/Plugin Process: Background spellcheck and optional extensions
- Sync/Utilities Process: Cloud sync and miscellaneous background tasks
- Font/Resource Loader: Background font loading and resource management
Is writeroom.exe Safe?
Yes, writeroom.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from WriteRoom, downloaded from official sources or bundled by the publisher.
Is writeroom.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real writeroom.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if writeroom.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\WriteRoom\writeroom.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\WriteRoom\writeroom.exe. Any writeroom.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click writeroom.exe → Open file location → Right-click writeroom.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "WriteRoom, Inc.".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.5-3% CPU per document, 25-100 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the editor is idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Writeroom.exe should only run when WriteRoom is opened. Multiple instances when the editor is closed indicate malware.
Red Flags: If writeroom.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when the editor 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 "writeroom32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is writeroom.exe Running on My PC?
writeroom.exe runs when you open WriteRoom or when the editor is configured to run in the background for autosave, syncing, or recovery tasks.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Editing Session: You're actively editing a document – each document tab can run its own renderer and related tasks.
- Background Autosave: Autosave and recovery tasks run in the background to prevent data loss and enable quick recovery.
- Startup Launch: WriteRoom is configured to start with Windows or user login, bringing writeroom.exe into memory at boot.
- Cloud Sync: Document synchronization with a cloud service can keep writeroom.exe active to monitor changes.
- Spellcheck and Plugins: Live spellcheck or lightweight plugins may run in separate background threads for responsiveness.
Can I Disable or Remove writeroom.exe?
Yes, you can disable writeroom.exe. It's safe to close WriteRoom when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different editor.
How to Stop writeroom.exe
- Close Documents: Close active documents or exit WriteRoom to stop editor processes
- Close Editor: Exit from the File menu or use Alt+F4 to close the editor window
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate writeroom.exe, right-click → End Task
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable WriteRoom
- Stop Background Sync: WriteRoom Settings → General → Disable cloud sync or background tasks
How to Uninstall WriteRoom
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & features → WriteRoom → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → WriteRoom → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative editors: Notepad++, FocusWriter, or Scrivener
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If writeroom.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Documents Open: Each open document may spawn a renderer. Close unused documents or consolidate work into fewer tabs.
- Background Spellcheck or Plugins: Disable nonessential plugins and limit live spellcheck to essential languages in Settings.
- Large Fonts or Complex Layout: Switch to a simpler font and disable heavy layout features under Settings → Appearance.
- Outdated WriteRoom Version: Update to the latest version from the official site or app store.
- Corrupted User Profile: Reset user preferences or rename the profile folder to force a fresh profile.
- Conflicting Plugins: Disable or remove plugins known to conflict with autosave or rendering.
Quick Fixes:
1. Use Task Manager to identify high-usage documents and close them
2. Clear editor cache or reset preferences
3. Disable unnecessary plugins in Settings
4. Update WriteRoom to the latest version
5. Enable Low Resource/Memory Saver if available in Settings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is writeroom.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate writeroom.exe from WriteRoom is not a virus. Verify the file is located at C:\Program Files\WriteRoom\writeroom.exe and has a valid digital signature from "WriteRoom, Inc."
Why is writeroom.exe using CPU?
CPU usage typically spikes during active editing, autosave, or live spellcheck. Use the built-in Task Manager in WriteRoom to identify the contributing document or feature, then adjust settings or close the culprit.
Can I delete writeroom.exe?
You can uninstall WriteRoom from Windows Settings → Apps. Deleting the executable manually is not recommended; reinstall or switch to another editor if needed.
Can I disable writeroom.exe from starting automatically?
Yes. Disable the startup entry in Task Manager under the Startup tab or use Windows Settings to prevent WriteRoom from launching on login.
Where are WriteRoom documents stored by default?
By default, WriteRoom saves documents to your user profile under Documents\WriteRoom or a user-chosen folder. You can change the default save path in Settings → Storage.
Is WriteRoom open source or free?
WriteRoom is distributed by WriteRoom, Inc. with its own licensing terms. It is not broadly advertised as open source; check the official site for current licensing and features.