Quick Answer
xbmc.exe is safe. It's the Windows executable for the XBMC Media Center (Kodi). It runs the UI, media playback, and library management in a dedicated process.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\XBMC\XBMC.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC\XBMC.exe
Warning
Several processes may run during playback
Kodi uses multiple worker processes for decoding, rendering, and add-ons
Can I Disable?
YES
Close Kodi when not in use to free resources; disable startup in Windows if desired
What is xbmc.exe?
xbmc.exe is the Windows executable that launches the XBMC Media Center, now known as Kodi. It starts the multimedia interface, builds your library, plays video and audio, and coordinates add-ons and streaming plugins. The program uses a modular, multi-process design to separate UI, decoding, and rendering for smoother playback and stability.
XBMC uses a multi‑process architecture: xbmc.exe delegates decoding, rendering, and add-on management to separate processes, isolating failures and improving responsiveness while streaming media.
Quick Fact: Kodi's architecture isolates codecs and UI rendering into separate processes to prevent a single plugin from crashing the whole player.
Types of XBMC Processes
- Main Process: XBMC's primary UI and control flow
- Renderer Process: Video/audio decoding and rendering per stream
- GPU Process: Hardware acceleration and graphics rendering
- Add-on Process: Each installed add-on can run in its own process
- Library Scan Process: Background scanning for metadata and thumbnails
- Utility Process: Background tasks and network services
Is xbmc.exe Safe?
Yes, xbmc.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from the Kodi Foundation downloaded from kodi.tv or official installers.
Is xbmc.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real xbmc.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself with similar names. Always verify location and signature.
How to Tell if xbmc.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\XBMC\XBMC.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC\XBMC.exe. Any xbmc.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show signer 'Kodi Foundation' with a valid timestamp.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage during playback; idle usage is low. Abnormally high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: xbmc.exe should run when Kodi is launched and not continuously in the background without user action.
Red Flags: If xbmc.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs without starting Kodi, lacks a valid signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files.
Why Is xbmc.exe Running on My PC?
xbmc.exe runs when you start Kodi or when Windows is configured to launch Kodi at startup. It also runs background tasks for library management and streaming services.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Media Playback: Kodi is actively playing video or audio; xbmc.exe handles decoding, rendering, and audio output.
- Background Library Scans: Kodi updates metadata, posters, and thumbnails in the background while you browse.
- Add-ons and Services: Background tasks from installed add-ons (metadata fetchers, weather, skins) may keep xbmc.exe active.
- Startup Launch: Kodi is configured to start with Windows, causing xbmc.exe to run automatically.
- PVR and Streaming Backends: Live TV tuners, PVR clients, or streaming services run tasks that keep xbmc.exe active in the background.
Can I Disable or Remove xbmc.exe?
Yes, you can disable xbmc.exe. It's safe to close Kodi when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different media center.
How to Stop xbmc.exe
- Exit Kodi: From within Kodi, choose Quit to stop playback and close the application.
- Close Kodi Window: Click the X or press Alt+F4 to close Kodi.
- End xbmc.exe Task: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate xbmc.exe, right-click > End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Kodi to stop automatic launching.
- Disable Background Library Scans: In Kodi Settings, disable or limit background library updates to reduce constant activity.
How to Uninstall XBMC/Kodi
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Kodi (XBMC) → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Kodi (XBMC) → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternatives: Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If xbmc.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Heavy video playback or 4K streams: Ensure hardware acceleration is enabled and update GPU drivers; reduce streaming quality if needed.
- Resource-intensive add-ons: Disable or remove unnecessary add-ons via Settings > Add-ons.
- Large or corrupted library databases: Clean the library or rebuild thumbnails; consider moving the library database to a faster drive.
- Outdated Kodi version: Update Kodi to the latest release from the official site.
- Background scans running constantly: Adjust library scan settings to run less frequently or only on demand.
- High memory usage from thumbnails: Limit thumbnail caching and periodically clear caches from Settings.
Quick Fixes:
1. Stop playback and exit Kodi, then reopen to reset state
2. Disable unused add-ons from Settings > Add-ons
3. Update Kodi to the latest version
4. Clear library thumbnails and caches from Settings
5. Restart Windows if the system is generally slow
Frequently Asked Questions
Is xbmc.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate xbmc.exe from Kodi Foundation is not a virus. Verify the file location is C:\Program Files\XBMC\XBMC.exe (or C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC\XBMC.exe) and that the digital signature lists Kodi Foundation or XBMC Foundation.
Why is xbmc.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU usage can come from heavy video playback, CPU-bound add-ons, or background library scans. Check which process is consuming CPU via Task Manager and reduce load by stopping playback or disabling problematic add-ons.
Can I delete xbmc.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall Kodi from Windows Settings > Apps or Control Panel. Your watched data may be preserved if you use account sync, otherwise backups are recommended before removal.
Can I disable xbmc.exe from starting on boot?
Yes. Disable Kodi in Windows Task Manager > Startup, or remove Kodi from startup items. This will stop xbmc.exe from launching automatically without uninstalling the program.
Why are there multiple xbmc.exe processes?
Kodi uses a multi-process architecture to isolate decoding, rendering, and add-ons. You may see several xbmc.exe instances during playback or when add-ons run tasks.
How do I reduce Kodi's memory usage?
Close unused media, disable unnecessary add-ons, update to the latest version, clear cache/transients, and limit automatic library scans to reduce memory pressure.