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What is node.exe?

The genuine node.exe file is a software component of Node.js by .
"Node.exe" is a downloadable binary executable of Joyent, Inc.'s Node.js, a "runtime" providing and governing I/O, including disk access, within which V8 JavaScript applications execute. It provides very rapid execution of JavaScript apps on servers accessed by large numbers of mobile devices and powers many of today's web, mobile, and IoT apps. It usually installs in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)". To uninstall Node.js, use Uninstall from "Programs and Features" and then find where Nodejs and "npm-cache" reside and delete those folders. Joyent, Inc., a fast-growing San Francisco firm pioneering public and enterprise production cloud computing services, was acquired in June 2016 by Samsung who also became their largest cloud customer. The Nodejs Foundation was formed a year earlier to provide oversight for the Nodejs open-source project.

The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the node.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.

Click to Run a Free Scan for node.exe related errors

Node.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with node
Node.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as Node.js: Server-side JavaScript or Evented I/O for (version V8 JavaScript) or Node.js JavaScript Runtime or Achievement Watcher

belongs to software Node.js or BT Desktop Help or ATT Management Agent or Adobe Premiere Pro (version 2020, 2021, 2022, CC 2018, CS6, 2024, CC 2019) or AT&T Troubleshoot & Resolve or Adobe Photoshop (version CS6, CC 2015, CC 2017, 2020, CC 2019, 2021) or Adobe Extension Manager CC or Adobe Creative Suite (version 6 Master Collection, 5 Design Standard, 6 Design Standard, 5 Master Collection) or Adobe Lightroom Classic or Popcorn Time or Adobe InDesign (version 2020, CC 2015, 2021, 2024, CS5) or Browser Assistant or Adobe Photoshop Elements (version 12, 11, 15) or Adobe Premiere Rush or Adobe Photoshop CC or Windstream Support Center or Adobe Lightroom

by Node.js or Joyent.

Description: Node.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. Node.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\—for instance C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud\CCLibrary\libs\ or C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud Experience\libs\. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 13,179,660 bytes (60% of all occurrences), 11,798,680 bytes and 28 more variants. file.net/process/node.exe.html 
It is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. Node.exe is certified by a trustworthy company. Node.exe is able to monitor applications and manipulate other programs. Therefore the technical security rating is 44% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: You can uninstall Node.js or BT Desktop Help from your computer using the Control Panel applet Uninstall a Program or consult Nodejs's Customer Service [1][2].

Recommended: Identify node.exe related errors

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as node.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the node.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

There'll be one of these processes running for each camera you've got connected to an i-Catcher security system. Expect it to use a lot of processor time, but if you've got several cameras you probably know that already :-)
  Chris   (further information)
It is also part of Steganos VPN. Virus checks with different scaner were all negative.
  j   (further information)
sometimes usable by adobe
  raz  
This is part of the chilean Anti - Theft software PREY. Tracking Devices & data recovery. Its a "find my phone, my laptop, my tablet" software. Lets you get pictures, location, data wipe and recovery from missing devices. Multiplatform, open source and free.
  Julio Rueda Bono   (further information)
extremely dangerous
   
node.exe could a virus that hijack your Internet browser by changing the proxy setting in IE, Chrome or Firefox. Look for it under C:\Program Files (x86)\CommonFiles\Diagnostics\node\node.exe there are other files in there delete the whole directory, reset the proxy setting in your internet browser and run an antivrus like Avast and antimalware like Malwarebytes, that should clean it.
  Ray Hack  
I have this process running when a program called Brackets is free its a text editor made by adobe
  John Jones   (further information)
It can also be installed by Adobe's Creative Cloud. Not sure what to do with it, but I thought I'd put this out there for anyone who might not know.
  Duncan  
I think it's exe of Superfetch service and it should be given a chance though it looks like hogs memory or CPU, but that's not for nothing I hope
  Sinisa Majetic  
prey software to trace stolen laptop uses node.exe on 6 november its giving high cpu use for some reason so i use process lasso to try make pc work smoother
  dave s  
As said by Duncan, also used by Adobe's Creative Cloud. I have two processes running and both are related to Adobe.
  Nick  
It's from Adobe's Creative Cloud, located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud\CCLibrary\libs It uses 150 MB from RAM and often up to 30-40 % of CPU - no Adobe-Programm is active. Don't know for what this exe is.
  Matthias  
Okey FreeDom VPN
  Andrew  
it from (Prey) aplication from security and ubication
  jose   (further information)
It's installed with Adobe CC, is hogging my CPU for no apparent reason, very, very irritating.
  Irritated Joe  
It can come from Photoshop CC or greater.
  Kenneth Rhodes (insanewolfhd.com)  
I found it using 100% of my dial up bandwith in both transmit and receive direction. Slowed down the computer to much slower than normal, which is already slow with dial up. I renamed it over a week ago. The data transfer has stopped and the computer runs better. No other results.
  jimlab  
Used by Prey Project (used to recover device if stolen)
    (further information)
Comes inside of the DRIVERPACK DVD. the driverpack is know to install all kinds of adware and backdors disguised as extra legit apps. i don't know what does node.exe does in all of these. antivirus didnt detect malware.
  Roberto Sanchez V.   (further information)
I don't see it running in task mgr. Windows 10 pro 1511. Defender says it is clean. The file is hanging out in my user/appdata folder. I think it is harmless and that the danger depends on which application needs this resource. Removing it could cause an application to crash.
  Rob  
Installed by Adobe Creative Cloud. It is essential for that program to function. It is NOT harmful. That being said, it is a resource hog. Not too happy about that, but what else do you expect from Adobe.
  Tom   (further information)
Started after a Creative Cloud install
  DoubleA  
I also had excessive CPU usage from Node.exe. A sub process Node.exec something Java server something was executing every 2-3 seconds very, very quickly to fast to end process in system manager. I looked in the Prey folder and there no programs only a config and backup files. Prey couldn't find my device. I re-installed Prey and all was fine.
  Steve Jeffery  
I just spend an afternoon figuring this out after I ran the Prey uninstall, only to find out it never worked. I manually removed Prey and all versions and my system is back to normal.
  Dennis Semirg  
For me, it was located at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CC 2015.5\ It used a lot of cpu time, and relaunched when finish the process in task manager. It was needed to delete the file quickly until it relaunches. Dr. Web didn't recognized it as a virus.
   
Installed without user permission by Adobe into Program Files. Neither dangerous nor essential, especially if consuming system resources when not running an Adobe product.
   
Yes, node.exe installed when I installed Adobe Creative Cloud. Otherwise I have no idea what it does but it seems to be a resource hog along with all the other tidbits Adobe CC installed. I did a trial of Acrobat DC and didn't sign up for a subscription (this is for a client of mine) and that left tidbits and various files, update modules, etc.
  bmwmotowoman  
(While others programs calling themselves node.exe may exist) node.exe is a web server that executes JavaScript. As such, it can serve static files, as well as acting as an application server. This version of node is not dangerous in and of itself, however as it provides a full programming environment which can communicate over the Internet, it has the potential to be used maliciously. But, as implied by the various examples of possible sources (given above), node.exe also has the potential to be used constructively. As node.exe is a powerful tool that can be used in a positive manner, or abused to cause harm, the real question is not if node.exe is dangerous, but instead: How is it being used on your system? I've just recently (Dec. 9, 2016) downloaded version 6.9.2 of node.exe from nodejs.org, and its size is: 18,512,024 bytes. From the command line, running node -v will return the version, and running node -h will display help, with the last line referring the reader to nodejs.org for more details.
  Harrison   (further information)
Prey Software (Stolen Laptop Tracking) Uses this.
  Karl  
It sometimes runs upon when you are using Adobe Photoshop (in my case it was Adobe Photoshop CC 2016). Its basically not a virus. If not sure Open Task Manger and then right click on it to go to the "Open File Location" of that fie and you would get into one of the folders' of Adobe Photoshop.
  Pritam Mandal  
I never noticed node.js until purchasing NVIDIA GeForce series 10 cards, specifically a 1070 & later, two 1060's. So I had it installed long before Adobe Reader DC & don't feel it's tied to Adobe alone.
  cat1092  
Uses my CPU. I turned it off.
   
it seems needed to me.
  Stefi  
Node.exe Is A Program Maked In Java Script. Node.exe Is Program From Minecraft Server, I Runned 2 Minecraft Server And I Have 2 Node.exe ;) Its Save
  Michael D  
Node.exe Is A Program Maked In Java Script. Node.exe Is Program From Minecraft Server, I Runned 2 Minecraft Server And I Have 2 Node.exe ;) Its Save
  Michael D  
preyproject Prey uses node.exe . Node often hogs the processor when it has no description in Windows task manager. I have to reboot to fix it.
  Tristan Cooper  
it is in my subfolder of ADOBE for the ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD EXPERIENCE, size is 17.980 KB I cannot turn it off, it just annoys the system.
  Christian  
it is part of Firefox and Chrome "NordVPN" Browser Extension
  Ethan McDonald  
It is 100% harmless. It is used for running the programming language "node" and may come pre-installed on some computers.
  Zackery   (further information)
It is also used by the EtherPad server that provides a electronic blackboard that is accessible via browser across the network. If you want your PC to act as a EtherPad server this process is required and do no harm. It acts just as an local web server with a fast JavaScript runtime. Watch out - you should know who wants to run web services on your machine. It can be misused in a several way!
  Volker Bijewitz   (further information)
Part of Kaspersky Security Center web
   
node.exe blongsto popcorn movie online watching software which is free and most probably this is a malware. you can block it with malwarebytes premium version
  farshid  
If it is under windows network and it has a green icon then it is a virus for mining crypto. You can open some of the logs and see that it gets your ip and from multiple websites etc. glotorrents.
  Nas  
Windows security monitor in Win11 stated blocking this file after I installed Adobe Creative Suite with Acrobat Pro and a few other Adobe utilities
  Raven  
Node.JS (generic filename on MS Win systems is node.exe). It is a runtime-environment for programs written in JavaScript. You can probably find out what this node.exe belongs to by looking in which folder it is located. For security reasons, check File details by right-click and "show details" and look under the Signature Tab if the file is signed by "OpenJS Foundation" and certification agency "DigiCert SHA2 Assured ID Code Signing CA" There may exist manipulated node.exe files in the wild containinig trojan code. But as The files come from legit installed software it is99% the secure original
  MFFM   (further information)

Summary: Average user rating of node.exe: based on 40 votes with 45 user comments. 11 users think node.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 9 users think it's probably harmless. 9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 4 users suspect danger. 7 users think node.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 9 users don't grade node.exe ("not sure about it").


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Best practices for resolving node issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with node. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the node.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.



Other processes

node.exe [all]