What is javaw.exe? Is javaw.exe spyware or a virus?

How to fix javaw.exe related problems?
1. Run Security Task Manager to check your javaw process
2. Run SpeedUpMyPC to fix related speed issues
3. Run Spyware Doctor to remove persistent malware

Process name: Java command line tool

Product: Java

Support: Help link ☒   Update link ☒   Uninstall tool ☒  

Company: Sun Microsystems, Inc.

File: javaw.exe

Security Rating: 1


"javaw.exe" belongs to Java from Sun Microsystems, Inc..http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/javaw.exe.html 
The javaw.exe command is identical to java.exe, except that with javaw.exe there is no associated console window. This implies you can't get it to display the version with -version, since there is no console to display it on. Use javaw.exe when you don't want a command prompt window to appear. The javaw.exe launcher will, however, display a dialog box with error information if a launch fails for some reason.

Get more detailed information about javaw.exe and all other running background processes with Security Task Manager.

Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out!


Click to Run a Free Scan for javaw.exe speed issues.


Users Opinions

Average user rating of javaw.exe: 4 based on 371 votes. Read also the 324 reviews.

1894 users ask for this file. 209 users rated it as not dangerous. 19 users rated it as not so dangerous. 72 users rated it as neutral. 39 users rated it as little bit dangerous. 32 users rated it as dangerous. 27 users didn't rate it ("don't know").


All comments about javaw.exe:
rate1 It is the SUN Java Runtime  See also: Link  
rate1 Unterstuezt anscheinend Azureus   Mitch
rate1 It's a sun java file   Lounatic77
rate1 This is the JAVA Runtime, In my case its running Bittorrent Azureus Client   argon
rate1 You can Disable it  
rate5 It will kill performance on Windows 2003 Servers   Francisco Arostegui
rate5 Prevented web from loading when Zonealarm blocked it   Frank
rate4 It's "part" of Azureus and kills system performance   Ivo
rate1 It's a sun file   Michael Decker
rate4 I'm using it to run Azureus as wel,, it's killing my processor. It currently has 132 megabytes in my ram  
rate1 HP use it in their status monitor  
rate1 Some HP print drivers w/HP Toolbox will install this executable as part of the initial setup. HP confirmed that this is okay.   D. Lawson
rate1 For Bittorrent Azureus, how it downloads and uploads   Any
rate4 It will eat memory like crazy on a powerful computer if let alone   Avs
rate1 This is the JAVA Runtime, In my case its running Bittorrent Azureus Client   Manu
rate3 Intergral Part of Azureus the Java interface   Knotryder
rate1 Required if you are running Java Apps. Killing it will also kill the java app you're running. For Java Application Launcher  See also: Link   A1programmer
rate1 Usually required to run java applications, java plugin, and the such.  
rate3 Java runtime files, used in co-operation with Azerues, and as others say when you have a fair few files loaded into it for downloaded, completely kills performance :(  
rate3 it is run by hewlett packard printer toolbox   marco v
rate4 It works with Azureus and freezin' up my system   maskmeyo
rate4 the *itch killed my system   boo
rate1 Very useful command from Sun's Java Runtime Environment. I write java code and use it all the time.   Sam B.
rate3 It's with Azureus, uses almost all resource of the system   Tze yu
rate4 I just renamed it and my azureus works   Amit
rate0 well whatever it is its slowing my computer down a crap load...if i end the process it speeds right up   Romero
rate0 when i start limewire pro 4.05, this is the file that loads.   wtf?
rate3 It's a memory hog   Jordie
rate3 associated with limewire and other java programs. SP2 firewall and norton give u the option 2 disable it   Yusuf Yusuf
rate4 It's a real performance hog on Win XP   Pete
rate1 Part of Azureus - kills performance   Lieven
rate1 Part of the SUN Java runtime. Needed for Java programs.  See also: Link   Ben!
rate1 This is the Java Runtime Environment. This (or one of several third-party JRE's) is required to run any Java program. It is comparable to vbrun600.dll to run Visual Basic 6.0 programs or FrameworkService for .NET applications.  See also: Link   Jason Tovey
rate1 It's definitely NOT a part of Azureus. Azureus just uses it to run.  See also: Link   M4r33 \ ()5
rate2 Keeping azrures upload/downloads limited will help control mem usage, but needs to be watched constantly   DigitalTreez
rate4 Used for Java apps. Java is usually slow so this will eat pc resources like a fat pig. In combination with a memory proggie like freemem quite managable. Outgoing connections to the internet can be disabled without cousing it to freeze up or anything.   eNdEmiOn
rate4 Azureus, SUN Java Runtime ok, but javaw.exe is trying to send e-mail on my PC   Ur-1el
rate1 Its not "part" of Azureus, it runs it!   Björn
rate1 =java.exe, but without console output. Good for swing/AWT applications. Don't have difference among others java application: same memory and processor consume.   AlanZ
rate2 Use it with Azureus - uses a bit of system memory, but nothing to worry about   Yeah
rate5 hp instal - destroying performance of computer - FU SUN   dan
rate3 using 150 mb of ram  
rate5 It kills W2003Server. Has to do with HP printer toolbox. Delete it if windows 2003 server, it sucks  
rate5 It is a Sunfile. Can affect the processor latency   Raj
rate1 hp ProCurve toolbox uses it as well - it can be a memory hog   Jason
rate0 I think it IS part of Azureus , my cpu was at 100% , and I started ending processes of the programs runing 1 by 1 and checking the cpu status , when i ended javaw.exe my process went from 100% to 3% , I also noticed the Azerus system tray icon dissapeared and I had to restart the program : ) , btw , it doesnt always kill my cpu , in fact , this is the first time it's happened  
rate1 Not dangerous - but it eats a lot of ram, needed for java based programs, like Azureus.   Mr_R
rate1 javaw is a program that comes along with the Sun JRE. Can be used to exceute jar files.   coool
rate3 It pops up after I installed a HP1010. The file is located in the HP directory. I guess it's part of HP's toolbox. It does eat memory though! 18.452kB of memory for a printer....but well it does a good job.   Go Laser!
rate1 Java Virtual Machine  See also: Link   Anonymous
rate3 slows computer performance   Michael Sikula
rate1 Works with Azureus   GM
rate4 It slows down the xp operating system. It requires a lot of memory. Stop the process and all becomes normal and faster again.   JJJ
rate2 I found that in azureus it would only start to take away my CPU power if I had capped my downloads to a certain amount. But with no bandwidth limit it didnt seem to slow down my computer at all.   Acidtreat101
rate3 Java Runtime, Azureus uses it....  
rate1 This is the Java Runtime Environment. Java programs like Azureus or Limewire need it to run. It uses a lot of performance, but on my old (P3 733) system it only uses around 5% CPU with Azureus.  See also: Link   The Watcher
rate3 IBM Thinkpads use it to download messages for 'IBM message center'. Once scheduled, the javaw process jumps to live unexpectedly. It can kills performance if IBM website is unreachable at that time.   schrotti
rate3 came with hp-printer softwar   teggmo
rate1 Azureus users, make sure you are using the latest version. JRE 1.5 Update 2, the recommended JRE on the Azureus page runs even worse than this one.  See also: Link   D-503
rate1 I love Azureus but I hate the platform it was built on (Java). This exe is a real memory muncher.   carls
rate1 Runs as part of Yahoo SiteBuilder   LP
rate1 This is the Java client. It will kill resoucres when running with a bit torrent program, by design not by fault. If your running a DL manager you have to expect the loss of memory.  
rate5 I use this to run azureus, ever since i upgraded the java program, it eats into my memory   Pete
rate5 It Kills CPU performance with Azureus.   Qaz
rate5 I'm running some java applications which using java.exe but javaw.exe is running all the time and using all my memory up to 1.5 GB.   Eelco van Wort
rate5 I know after loading SP2, I was prompted do I want to allow this program to load and from the information on this website I said NO. My system runs much faster now than it did previously.   Daryl
rate4 This is taking up massive amounts of system memory (25-50%) with Azureus. Don't seed/leech if you value performance. Try leaving Azureus on when you are not doing anything else and it will run fine, but try to access anything else and it will go crazy.   RunTimeX
rate4 100% cpu-If Azureus related does not happen each time. Must be the download.   Joekoco55
rate4 use it with Azureus.. freeze's my 2003 server after several hours of operation.  
rate4 This file can be a representation of the AGOBOT. This variant of several forms may control a remote system via means of IRC. If you see this file and do not have anything in association to it or do and are unsure of bandwidth coming and from your PC, beware and investigate it's connectivity to the web.   bORG
rate3 Leeches performance... Linked to HP Tools. That should explain everything (the HP bit)   404
rate3 Its a memory hog   Phill
rate3 This file is an implementation of a virtual machine. As such it is a massive resource hog since it's emulating a hypothetical set of hardware in software which eats up CPU and memory like no other. This is extremely useful in a number of cases, since each hardware platform (Windows, Unix, Linux, Solaris etc) can have a different platform specific implementation of the machine which allows code written for Java to be run on any machine with a correct installation of Java, this makes code cross compatible which is useful for distributing programs. The program can be considered moderately dangero   Mirsha
rate2 It keeps giving me application errors after azureus runs for a short while. Cant seem to find how to fix it.   Stu
rate1 I exited out of Azureus and this kept running and was killing my cpu. had to end task to kill it.   cash22
rate1 This is NOT a part of Azureus. This is the Java Runtime Environment, which Azureus requires to run, and is used by other applications as well.  
rate1 It is not a part of Azureus. It just utilizes is as its back-end. JavaW.exe does consume large amounts of memory (in my case anywhere from 35-65MB).   MetalFrog
rate1 It's the Java Runtime executable. All programs written in java execute this in order to run  
rate1 It is a java runtime for limewire also. it doesn't eat up my resources.   rypaintD
rate1 It's the Java Runtime. It is NOT part of Azureus. Azureus is a Java based program, so it requires it to run. And yes, it can be a resource whore.   nin
rate1 This is the console-less java.exe Java environment executable. Java is neither slow nor a memory hog. I program in it everyday and it is one of the best programming languages on Earth. It is the poorly written programs which consume so much RAM. Blame the poor programming, not Java. Javaw.exe is completely safe.   RRL
rate1 It is used by HP to control thier printers. HP printers are controlled by a 'server' and the javaw.exe files is part of the 'server' and printing control systems. It has not caused me any problems   Steven
rate1 I wonder how many people actually do the 'reseach' instead of just spewing out what they 'think' this file does... From the Sun 'Java' forums , "...The javaw command is identical to java, except that..."  See also: Link   Power To Be Your Best
rate0 It came with the latest upgrade of Azureus and definitely reduces the performance of your Pentium 4 to a Comodore 64! But what the hell, what is used Azureus for again??... No solutions found yet.   Digibert
rate0 LimeWire 4.8.1 is always asking me something about this. Not too sure who to trust...  See also: Link   Annonymous
rate1 It is NOT a part of Azureus. Azureus is a java program. Any java app needs to be run in a Java Virtual machine. On windows the jvms are the java.exe, javaw.exe and javaws.exe programs. Its the Azureus java app thats requesting all the memory, not the jvm alone. If you kill the jvm process, the java app its running will also disapear. Memory usage by the jvm can be restricted (see -XMS options), but this may cause an outOfMemory exception by your java app, so beware.  See also: Link   Adam
rate4 part of java, but huge CPU (30-90%) and memory (150MB !!) hog I'm running a freenet node and am at 3 days of uptime and the I/O writes are up to 63GB and double my total diskspace! If you have a choice between a program written in java and a program written with sometheing else, use the non-java client to save yourself a headache   ERA
rate0 Javaw,exe isnt allowing me to install my ISP software. Tryed updating to latest java program still no go. Searched the net all over cant find info to fix it. Anyone know how to fix it please email me at fastcobra23@yahoo.com   Chris
rate0 The javaw.exe and java.exe are actually ok, the program construction of something like Azureus is what stinks. Can't blame Sun for that. Don't use MS OS anyway, they suck big time :-)   neko
rate3 When publishing web pages it is necessary for me. But if it occurs and you are not running an applicatuion that requires it, you may wish to investigate.   RLHoffman
rate4 It's running Azureus. Uses tons of memory. Frequently is attempting to send email to European addresses. Will be looking for an Azureus replacement   disaksen
rate0 its a java sun component, if u use azureus put gloval and total conection at 60 or less, otherwise it will go nuts and eat 100% of memory   meromex
rate2 Memory hogging sun java runtime. needed for any java programs u r running (doh!). Its NOT part of azureus but is needed to run azureus.  
rate1 it is JAVA FROM SUN. if your program is using it its because its a JAVA PROGRAM! stop blaiming 3rd partys for suns crappy runtimes.   duh
rate3 It is the Sun Java runfile, it is used by Azureas and if the Azureas configuration is changed can impede permance on my WinXP system   Barry
rate0 Sun Runtime. Should update it to the new 1.5, will reduce memory usage. Is not part of Azureus. Azureus just uses Java to run.  
rate1 it IS part of Azureus, Its the download agent for it , look at the transfer of data in your firewall and it shows the transfer.   J
rate3 Azureus use this process. Recently it is using 75% of my cpu all the time. So other application lags. That suck.   Dave
rate1 As people say, part of Java. Azureus is a Java app, hence needs it to run. THAT is why it opens with Azureus!  
rate4 If azureus uses the file it explains why it takes so much power out of my compyter... thx for a great forum   hansa
rate3 it can be used to download spyware but there are so many non- dangerous uses i say it is nuetral   AD
rate1 Java Runtime, Azureus uses it... if it kills your processor , it means your pc sucks  
rate5 It is part of azureus, so if u have it, ur pirating free stuff and should be jailed.   F.B.I
rate4 Is from Azureus as far as i can tell. Real memory hog and a royal pain in the ass.   Sparky
rate2 This is the Java Runtime Environment. Java programs like Azureus needs it to run   Roberto
rate2 nothing serious, it´s just used by HP printers (print monitor) in intranet  
rate3 It Runs Azureus, and it uses quite a bit of memory for Windows Server 2003   VP
rate1 Required to run several P2P (Peer To Peer) (aka Filesharing) Applications   PontoonWalnut
rate1 JVM as each VM taking resources, but simplifying life overall   lover
rate1 I don't think I need to explain more about this.   JAVA
rate5 It's a known villian and may steel your cheese  
rate1 Java Virtual Machine Launcher   mm
rate1 java program launcher   nikhil
rate5 Java is ebil. ;P  
rate1 Windowless Java   Joe
rate5 it uses (37MB) 3 times more ram than iexpore.exe or explorer.exe and I die in WOW a lot cause it freezes my system about every hour since it installed with HP Toolbox a few days ago. Some people say it is safe but it is RUDE putting something of a memory hog on my system without giving me full disclosure. Is it HP or Java I should be frustrated with? Safe should mean it comes with good documentation about what it does, why, and how to get rid of it when not using it. Just because someof you programmers think it is useful for your projects why do i need it hogging space during my games?   Nia
rate3 I had this file on my last pc. It was forever running slow. On the rebuild the HP 3020 has been reloaded and this file keeps appearing in Zone Alarm. I have rejected it and the pc seems to run much faster than the old one. If I can avoid running it, I will.   Novice user
rate1 Normal internal process linked through windows local registry to allow java applets to run (this is the main module and process governing java technology). Depending on the capability of your system and how it is set up this might slow you down, a little!!  See also: Link   Supero Doctor
rate1 I use it to run jar files that are setup like applications (NetBeans automatically creates one for "application" projects in the disp folder). just associate the jar extension with javaw to run jar files like exes (IF their set up that way)   Danimal
rate1 Any problems with memory with the Azureus client are caused by poor java code on Azureus part. javaw only identifies that a java application is running - in this case its Azureus.  
rate1 This is the Java Runtime. This is the same as java.exe without console output. This is used to run many Java programs such as Eclipse, Azureus, and RSSOwl.  See also: Link  
rate1 javaw.exe is used by Java to update Azureus. If you use SafePeer Plugin in Azureus, its important, without this, you must update SafePeer Plugin manually.   Annonymous
rate3 Used by Java based programs.. including Azureus & LimeWire. On my box it takes 50,000K mem usage to over 100,000K mem usage over 1 and a half days.   Anonymous
rate3 Take too much memory space: how can I prevent it from being loaded? I couldn;t find it in "RegEdit".   Lewis
rate4 all i know it's what i saw on a desktop user he take a lot of performance and it's a bullshit....  
rate5 I know ZoneAlarm Pro alerted me that javaw.exe was trying to transmit e-mail messages. WTF?   Bones
rate0 Why can't HP make a printer that doesn't have "special needs"??   John T.
rate4 On my PC, it uses lots of memory and slows the system down.   LK
rate5 Is taking about 70% of my bandwidth! Is't a mess!   MFM
rate5 It hogs memory like hell and slows down Win2K   Guruprasad
rate0 For me it came with viewlet Builder   JonneIT
rate1 its the Puzzle Pirates process  See also: Link   Mildina
rate5 This file is a memory cpu hog, Use task manager to see if its running and kill the process your machine will run faster.  See also: Link   Luis
rate5 Causes problems and can consume cpu, Umm new sun was gonna be a prob on PCs   Jabba
rate4 for running Limewire, Azureus.. etc.. sometimes eats up memory like a mofo   Scotty
rate4 Das programm gehört zu java und da alle programme die auf java basieren, java brauchen ist das programm für azureus etc benötigt, da manche programme schlecht geschrieben worden sind frisst es sehr viel speicher (azureus) einzige chance dies zu umgehen is auf nen patch fürs jeweilige programm zu warten oder die vorgänger version zu installieren.   Snake
rate4 It definitely was installed as part of HP Toolbox. It used over 30MB real and 35MB virtual memory and killed my CPU upon boot.   javaw hater
rate3 Azerus use. Not too stable on XP64 and I've seen it with over 700MB mem usage   Tomato
rate3 related to Azureus. Uses all system resources.   Bryan
rate3 Programmers use Java when they don't know better. If you're using Azureus, uninstall it to get rid of javaw, and use uTorrent instead. It does everything you needed Azureus for, but is written in a proper language and is tiny and fast.  See also: Link   Oak Aged
rate3 use plenty of java apps but this never showed up until yesterday when i installed azuerus. takes up plenty of resources   aceclose
rate1 As description says-- this is the process name of any Java app without a cmd window. Individual apps may be dangerous or not-- lots of people here seem hung up on one in particular.   dave
rate1 this file is excellent for commercial use because launching java application it does not launch any other console   apim
rate1 Part of Azureus P2P Client, it is a resource hog   Randall
rate1 General performance is higher than Java.exe because if doesn't execute System.out.println() etc  
rate1 Limit Azureus global connections to 60   DLIVELY
rate1 Java virtual machine inteprets java coded applications such as LimeWire, OpenOffice and Azureus into executable code   NeoPickaze
rate1 For Azureus set UPLOAD & DLoad to unlimited (read that here) and now I can web browse and DL! Result  
rate1 "It's Java" thus, its slow, uses up all your resources and is a piece of crap   TAC
rate0 Seems to have crept in with HP printer also seems to be a memory hog and process slower   chickenbhuna
rate1 Stop blaming javaw! Your java programs (Azureus, limewire, etc) eat up the resources, javaw just does what these programs tell it to do.  See also: Link   dumbass
rate5 Kills windows 2003 server memory. Slows everything down. POS!   soggynoodles
rate3 It doesn't stop hogging CPU cycles (34%+) or memory (59k) even when all user (w) processes have normally terminated. Whoever maintains it should try to make it more Windows system-savvy.   Nwbr
rate1 Part of Azureus, slows system alot though.   MJF
rate1 It is required for java run time it does NOT sap system performance unless another application is using java runtime!   Mediarocker (Computer Technician)
rate1 To disable it continuing using Azureus, look here  See also: Link  
rate1 If came with any trusted software or downloaded with java compilar then you can trust it. or if somebody renames any file as javaw.exe then whos fault is it?!!  See also: Link   Siluro
rate4 I monitored it and found it was using 20k or upload and 80k of download - while the computer was not being used with anything net related.   0xMan
rate3 Run time error   Sunil Tupe
rate1 used for azureus  
rate1 part of Java Virtual Machine. It can do you no harm. Programs may invoke this program due to them needing to use Java (eg Azureus). By itself, not dangerous at all.   LilJohn
rate3 this is the reason you shut azureus down when gaming   bobsa
rate1 It is part of java. It uses a lot of memory, but mostly because the programs it runs are large and memory-intensive. In my case, it wasn't javaw.exe that was killing my system, it was McShield.exe which was scanning it for viruses everytime it ran. If you know it runs a specific program, you can add that program to your virus exclustion list, and it won't cause nearly the problems.   jodek69
rate3 tis a simple java runtime env file which is full of bugs at present yes... memory hog it is most definitely. We write in Java too... We dont like suns it, ms's was better. we will for ourselves stick to C# et Delphi .NET   p35t173nc3
rate4 It is not part of bit torrent clients such as azureus but they need them to run! It consumes the more memory it can slowing down your pc..on my olidata laptop it crashed internet explorer and other xp features almost every time!!  
rate3 Ruins Azureus and makes the pc reboot.   Anon
rate5 Causes a blue screen on my PC when SiImage SATARAID5 console apps launches   Francois
rate1 Running Azureus Bittorrent, but makes things so slow   kyle
rate2 i guess from what i read mine runs azeurus client also but it uses alot of my memory (at the moment 55,000 K)   turtle masta
rate1 It is for running Java applications.   Joel
rate3 Javaw doesn't kill performace, but the app that your running does. If your running Azureus and your performace is suffering that its Azureus(or whatever java app) not javaw thats doing it   jemima
rate3 mal-ware will compromise java causing it to use up resources. This is why some people are having problems.   KenshiSoro
rate1 javaw is the java virtual machine run in windowing mode. This means that there is no console associated with it and it runs like a native windows application. For the others to say this is dangerous because it eats thier memory up are wrong. It's the program that's run in javaw that eat their memory up.   Kermit
rate4 From a process of elimination I know it's used by HP for at least some of their newer printers. It's part of the install cd. It does seem to suck-up a lot of resources for a very unnecessary bit of software (you can use it to check the status of your printer on your LAN)   Forkboy
rate2 java window - i.e. consoleless - it will eat up the cpu until another windows thread needs to use the cpu - quite friendly   giffo
rate4 TOTAL resource hog, but only recently... first noticed it today, after updating to java ver. 5, update 6   tay
rate1 It's not dangrous . However it does suck up memory alot so shut it down when you stop using it.   ZeroTron
rate0 I'm runnig this with Azureus, killing processor performace  
rate5 Yeah, is the Java Virtual Machine. It sucks, people says that "is not the Java VM that sucks, is the program you're using" well, this is correct, because that program was writen in Java, a language created for coffee machines. Big crap, why are people who like more a slow program that requires another program to run?  
rate1 it's suns java vm - it won't freeze your computer, until you have a 1980's pc. those who claim that don't probably know what java really is.   melinda
rate3 Usually Sun's JVM, and then quite a needless and waste of resources for using it as launcher for hp printer manager toolbox in os. Then it will cost somebody a lot of time and money, as can be seen above, and probably for a long time.  See also: Link   JVM
rate3 It's the Java Platform. Games like Puzzle pirates and clients like Azureus run on this platform. It's not actually spyware or Malware, but it often hogs memory like crazy.   Sluggo
rate1 Part of the JRE, Really, really kills system performance, even with 3 gigs of pagefile and 1 gig of RAM -____-.   Pingachevsky
rate2 This IS used by Azureus. But it only ever uses massive ammounts of CPU when you first start Azureus and it checks the files that are being downloded. Once that's completed the CPUY usage drops back down to 5 0r 6 %   Skinner.Daddy
rate4 Stops from AS400 Client Access Emulator from functioning.   Padu
rate5 Its a royal pain - I stop it always. And this PC is a smooth runner without it   Texasman
rate1 it runs with frostwire, but it kills the system.   oemer1987
rate1 It's a virtual machine, if programs running on it eat cpu cycles and memory on the vm , then the vm will turn around and eat yours to feed the hungry programs.   Kim Bruning
rate3 Anybody know where to find a complete list of exe's that currently utilize javaw.exe and/or security threats associated with it?   technoid
rate1 Every time I start Azureus, my computer slows to a crawl. When I look in the task manager, I see javaw using up CPU and memory. After killing javaw (and Azureus) my computer resumes to normal speed. Utorrent doesn't have this problem.   Mike
rate1 its the programm, which allows to run JAVA based Programms like azureus oder eclipse.   chillum
rate1 Kill it. I run Azureus all the time without it and have no problems. It's that simple.   Markoff
rate1 Runs my SATA RAID management tool - uses 20MB ram and no more - it's the app using it that decides how much resource it uses   ppwok
rate1 when running it steals most cpu time   bonehead
rate1 javaw is a tool for other programs... if it's hogging memory or acting like spyware, something else is telling it to. Restricting javaw might fix the problem but that's like cutting your ears off to cut out crap music. It's not the source of the problem.   stovo
rate3 Required for some apps. Have seen Java updater consume 80%+ CPU at startup. (clean machine) Appears as javaw.exe but called from reg. Check HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - SunJavaUpdateSched = C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe. Export reg key as backup, delete the entry. Should resolve although you will not get the updates.   PWadley
rate3 It is a 'non-microsoft' and is in the Win Directory - screams malware to me. If it's in C:\prog files etc, it's harmless tho   Deon
rate1 Some Jabber Clients like GOIM need that thing, for flexibility-purpose i think.  See also: Link  
rate1 Its the file which runs while profiling using JProfiler   Rushit
rate1 Riya.com uses it to upload photos. It's very CPU intensive.  See also: Link   Adam
rate3 Azureus uses it, however even with the best processors such as an AMD 64fx, it eats up around 63% on average.   javaw
rate1 It's the SUN JRE. Not dangerous, unless you are clueless. If you don't even know what "Java" is, you have NO PLACE making comments about security.  See also: Link   FedUpWithNoobs
rate2 This is neccessary to run many java applications. Java is always going to hog memory, so if you don't like the performance hit avoid using programs written in java. If you absolutetly need those programs running, buy more memory.   Kat
rate3 Part of the SUN Java implementation. Of course it's a system hog. Friends don't let friends run Java apps.   Grim
rate4 HP, you can do better then this! Write a proper printerdriver! It's not professional. It definitely was installed as part of HP Toolbox. It used over 30MB real and 35MB virtual memory  
rate5 use by HP printers to monitor ink usage on your computer can see problem with this it sucks up system resource and band with on the network and there more   Dan Ayen
rate1 Started with, and is essential to the Zend IDE for PHP   nota
rate1 it helps me to do exe   aswath
rate1 Its a memory hog and Most of the application uses it...   Latha
rate2 Java RunTime   RH
rate1 java vm. If it hogs memory, it's not javaw.exe's fault. The program you are running through javaw is badly written   david
rate1 It'll just execute the java class file , with out any console. Definitely its not a dangerous one. But, if you have received a class file thru net and ur javaw trying to run it ,... first know about the details of the classfile first. Even u can use javap for listing the methods and fields of the classfile. So dont blame javaw it will just execute the given class file (the java program). So the memory, cpu usage , resource usage all depends on the class file you are going to execute. If you have got a problem with Azureus, Limewire , XYZ,ABC .its with the application u r executing not with javaw   Thirumalai
rate1 As many people as claim it is, javaw.exe is NOT 'part' of Azureus. It is the Windows implementation of the Java Runtime Environment and will be used by ANY application running on the Windows operating system that was written in the Java programming language. @People calling it a memory hog, Java is not meant to be run on Windows, if you are running a Java application on any OS other than Solaris you are running it non-natively and the application will have to do extra work trying to make Windows 'think' like Solaris does.  See also: Link   Steve
rate1 part of Frostwire p2p   Rod
rate1 Used with Aptana, as far as I am aware of its ok   Skyrail
rate3 It is in my HP toolbox - Can't decide if I want to remove it.   1sonii
rate3 It is part of Sun's java virtual machine. It is not the process itself that takes a lot of CPU, it is the java program that is run. If it is using a lot of CPU/RAM, it either means it is running a heavy Java program, a faulty java program or a Java-written virus.   Richard
rate1 JVM needed to run Java applications. Memory usage can be tweaked from commandline. Java programs run safer than native Window applications with buffer exploits. You trade in a bit of memory for this security.  See also: Link   Sjaak
rate4 Needed when I install HP Laser printer. Prompted by Windows Security dialog; a bit funny as source is unknown by the OS   Mamat CJ
rate1 to run this file we need an IDE as a compulsory.  See also: Link   M.Ramakrishna
rate3 It's Java virtual machine, windowless. Java is a memory hog and prone to be unstable. Coding GUI in Java is hard and the end result is both inferior to native windows GUI and MUCH MORE resource intensive. While a good idea, JVM has bad performance in comparisson to native compilations. You can find java.exe and javaw.exe on your disk and delete them if you want to disable this in a messy way.   Jack
rate1 It Runs Azureus, When you block it all your downloads will stop.   Dusten Paetsch
rate1 It's the java runtime. Programs written in java use it to run.   Hagbard Celine
rate3 no, i want this file for any software installtion   maharmyo
rate1 Java service  See also: Link   TonyT
rate1 You are crazy. It's a (SUN) java process... not dangerous by itself being implemented. 75 MB memory is usual. Buy some more RAM.   Don Felipe
rate3 "Hello World" in Java+Swing eats up 18 MB. If that's not a memory hog, nothing is! I rank this neutral because it's not necessarily dangerous, but performance may be degraded by useless java apps running in the background. Also, java can be used for trojans just as easily as anything else, so be sure you know *what* programs are using javaw to run on your sys.   JavaProgrammer
rate1 Java app. Harmless, and if you are complaining about it slowing down your system, please upgrade your PC! No effect on my setup: AMD Ath 2x 5000+, 1 GB RAM + Cheap hard drive.   Adam
rate1 so funny comments here. java kills performance *lol* Software runs "within" java. that software is killing the performance. If your run a game, not windows is killing performance its the game! even if the game runs within windows  See also: Link   marvin
rate1 it's belongs to SUN, and used by Silicon Image SATA RAID monitor application.   lor
rate1 Flex 2 Builder's core... Uses 100-200mb of memory  
rate5 It causes Questionmark Secure to stop to work. When javaw.exe is killed, the secure browser can start fully.  See also: Link   Silvester Draaijer
rate0 Its part of Java and if you are downloading large files then Java will use lots of memory, its really obvious why.   SE
rate3 The "security" of the javaw depends on the software you are running with this java runtime process.   Artur
rate1 its not what run's you cpu its the program's useing it i run a dual core intel 3 ghz MB and chip with 3 gigs of ram and play online games and my cpu only run's 2 to 4 % cpu my older box with 512 mb or ram and my online game run's 100% cpu same game btw seems to me u need to upgrade from the 1800's and it will stay connected to the internet after i shut down the game but closeing the port its on stops that   wolfie
rate1 it works with applejuice- core and gui  
rate3 Can run programs in the background; harmful or harmless   Jan
rate2 this file does take alot of memory cause alot of stuff that i use, uses javaw and it does the same thing everytime, and that is slow down a little bit but after i have the program running that uses it, all i do is go to windows task manager and end task and my program runs and my comps back to normal.   Joe
rate1 it is same as java.exe but this one executes without console..Its a fact that it eats loads of memory and CPU,it is a part of JDK or JVM   Saurabh
rate1 integral part of a Java installation  See also: Link   The Dude
rate0 Finally, I found a reference for javaw. In my case it is part of the HP 1012 printer s/w/. However, when I am up and running my counter there is a 90% change that sometime during the proceedings I get a message: "Javaw has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Javaw will now close. OK." When I click OK (I have no other choice,anyway) in most of the cases nothing happens at all. However, if the message comes on during boot-up then most of the times the computer freezes and I have to start all over again. Is there anyway to get rid of this annoying and presistent message?   Bert
rate0 I have Microsoft Windows Live OneCare and i created a rule to block it from ever accessing the internet   anonomous
rate1 java memory hog run-time program... perfectly safe, but very inefficiently coded. java is weak as hell but for some reason software companies that use windows are in love with it. there's no reason to use java in a windows environment...unfortunately people think otherwise :s   matt
rate1 This is the java runtime. All the memory it uses are really the java programs running. IE Azareus, Limewire are the memory hogs.   Damian
rate2 It comsumes 99% of CPU when I run Yahoo Sitebuilder causing my computer to get frozen   AJ
rate1 Suns Java-Runtime, It may cause high CPU-load if you have a performance-intense Java-application running (e.g. Azureus). Killing the task will kill the java-app that is running. Disabling/removing it is not recommended (Will break Java)  See also: Link   geewee
rate4 It is a gateway for pop-up ads-Unless you are really good and can remove it, just 'terminate process' and it will go away until the next time you log on or re-start. Symantec sees it as 'AdwarePuritys...' FYI.   Mikelj3
rate3 Part of JAVA virtual machine. Can be used to hide program's console. (keyloggers,spyware)   Gash
rate4 This file is a windowless version of the Java Virtual Machine. Unfortunately, that tells you nothing about what software is running on your computer. This program could be a perfectly harmless program that just happened to be written sloppily, or it could be an extremely dangerous trojan bent on stealing all of your personal information and spamming it to everyone on the internet. Sun and Microsoft are both remiss about not requiring a Java program to pass its executable name to the OS.   Mythological Beast
rate2 Many programs use it. For example HP uses it for its printer/scanner/fax monitoring software. Always check where it is running from and make sure you installed that software on purpose.   Sir Brettley
rate1 It's The Java Windows interpreter   Minus Zero - University Sussex
rate1 Its java without command promt.  
rate1 Many programs use it. Its not dangerous   Tietäjä :)
rate3 run by hp printer toolbox   grinsili
rate1 Required to run Java-based programs, if it's slow it's not because of Java itself, but rather because the program written in Java has issues.   James
rate3 this was taking up 100% of one core of my dual-core CPU. i think its single-threaded. i dleted it and everything works fine   veral
rate1 It's harmless. If Azureus is running it that's Azureus hogging the CPU, not Java being bad at what it does. Change your Azureus settings to use less resources.   Dean J
rate0 Part of Java Sun operating file  See also: Link   ConnectionMaster
rate0 it is used by Eclipse   Red Nipples
rate1 Javaws.exe runs java applications deployed from webpages in a security sandbox that prevents the application from accessing disk, printer, network etc unless the application is signed and the user accepts then signature.  See also: Link   me self
rate3 Uses more than a gig of sys mem   Da JF
rate0 after java update, eset smart secxurity keeps giving me a warning message: Appolication modification detected! During communication, a change was detected in the application: C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javaw.exe. The content might have been modified by malware attempting to communicate. For more ... Reccomended action: DENY ...   Luka B.
rate1 is being used by jaiko and currently using 367mb of ram (wow)   gerardt1
rate0 Used by Gmote  
rate1 it is one of important file for executing java   vikrant
rate1 There is so much misinformation about this file in these comments. javaw.exe is the Java runtime exe. It is used to run programs written in Java, if the program uses a lot of memory/CPU, then the memory/CPU usage will be attributed to this file. IT IS NOT DANGEROUS.  See also: Link   Duh
rate0 Never seen it runs with Azureus. But recently I installed JDownloader, and javaw.exe appears in background. Can't exit application (JDownloader) if I don't kill javaw.exe! And it eats over 100Mb of RAM!   Boyohboy
rate1 Part of HP Toolbox (installed with Laserjet 1010). Uses 3MB   Ralph
rate1 It is used for Jdownloader program if you disable it, jdownloader closes.   Joshua B (Gilgamesh)
rate5 Its sending out info from my PC, operates as a virus would. Chewing up D/L speed and system resources. Not happy Jan   Greg
rate0 It causes BSOD in Sims 2.   music2ologist
rate1 this is a sun file but a very poor one. if your using it long periods of time it (jdownloader) it will devour your memory because it has a mem leak. uninstall update 18 and downgrade to update 16 and it will fix all.  See also: Link   luke
rate4 Looks like trojan. I deleted it and windows still workin without it.   RRRomzes
rate4 It's a resource pig and crashes my games   Pratt
rate5 Process javaw.exe: 3244, running in the background. Rapidly during the night.. TCP server:1183 cds175.lga.llnw.net:http established   tjlara
rate1 The javaw executable is the Java Virtual Machine. Blame the developers of the applications running with javaw.exe for choosing to program said applications in that language.   Daniel
rate1 Like Execution part to display the page   kubendran
rate0 It is labeled as the cause of numerous "errors" which crash games I am playing. Some claim it uses huge amounts of memory but others say it is not dangerous or that it is necessary. It either needs to be fixed or killed because it is crashing games.  
rate4 It slows the PC down. It can be removed from taskmgr, Process.   G.
rate2 Msg to RLL. I believe you Java is safe. But any programms witch use Java make the computer slower. No good programm - my opinion.   Johnhenry
rate1 Flex Builder 3 needs it - needs a lot of RAM especially when pc has been in sleep mode   flexer
rate1 Essential for proper function of Java-based applications used in Windows or for webpages containing Java apps or applets.  See also: Link   Erik Bordenkircher
rate1 Needed to run java progams   Matthias
rate1 It's the Sun (okay, Oracle now) Java VM, and it's needed to run any Java program. It's not "part of" Azureus or HP Toolbox - it's an essential framework for running the thing, like .Net. If your application is causing javaw.exe to eat CPU and memory, it's the application's fault, not Java. Use uTorrent instead, or a printer with better software.  See also: Link   Nick Dixon
rate1 The process run when you run a Java application. Completely safe, unless the Java application you run is malicious itself. If you end this process, you end your Java application. It can chew up a bit of your RAM depending on what application you run with it, so be careful to monitor the RAM it uses up. Takes up anywhere from 1Mb to anywhere up to 500Mb depending on the application. 100% safe, unless you're stupid in running an application that takes up too much RAM.   Jaydon
rate1 It's a platform to run many applications (java apps). It'll only eat up memory if the applications it's running (i.e. Azureus, limewire etc) are using a lot of memory. It is widely used and NOT dangerous.   Jimbob
rate1 This is the Java Runtime Environment  See also: Link   Julien Gouesse
rate1 This file (javaw.exe) can crash Photoshop. Close it. ALT+CTRL+DEL  
rate1 javaw is not dangerous but is included in windows since Microsoft was sued by Sun/Oracle on using its on virtual machine. So for those compiled java programs which needs to run on systems without jdk, use this. You can remove it but dependent programs won't run. If you have any standard antivirus or even the default windows firewall, it will not let any unregistered application use javaw to run as background process. However, trojans can use it, but that requires the input from system owner to accept the app launch.   Rizwan
rate3 take care to unknow certificate if you accepted..great backdoor  See also: Link   backdoor
rate1 Yes this can eat RAM, NO it is NOT dangerous   ellemayo
rate0 it stops while loading minecraft and i cant play   powerranger guy
rate3 really ruins the performance of my PC, but you need it to run jdownloader.   shaggy
rate1 Java by Oracle. Java isn't making the computer slow, it's the program that is using java.   Casper
rate1 This file is not dangerous. It will use alot of RAM though, so I would recomend deleting it if you ever see it.   LUG
rate1 nothings except it hides the window when you are launching a java program from the command line or shell   DOROBO
rate5 Java virtual machine. Lame applications and virus magnet. You are much better off without it. Your computer will thank you for getting rid of it. Simply uninstall Java.  See also: Link   Victor
rate1 Java Platform - needed for Eclipse based development - huge CPU resource hog, uses 50% of CPU time - real pig process  
rate1 java runner   javalobbist
rate1 It's the Java Runtime Entertainment process file. If you launch a java prorgam, example. Azuerus and Minecraft, this process is running.   robi217
rate1 This is the console-less Java runtime environment, required to run any Java program.   Java programmer
rate1 it's a java process.   God
rate0 It is used to run programs that are supported by Java (i.e. Minecraft). It will use huge amounts of memory, although, this may depend on what program is running with it. For example when I use Minecraft it uses 12% - 24% of my CPU and over 700,000KB of memory!   TheWaffler87
rate3 Make a connection to shroomery.org on startup,very strange.   Joe
rate1 This is the program I see running when I run my Shimeji (desktop buddies). It's never caused me any trouble. ^^   Dazzy
rate4 Perfectly fine, though if it's causing problems, you probably have a virus; one kind of virus fakes this file and messes up your system.  
rate1 Uses about 30MB of RAM and 0% of CPU for me.   me
rate1 Important java file;   William
rate1 Eats your CPU...   Connor
rate1 Its a vital part of Adobe ColdFusion   Anders
rate4 it always restarts my stuff and deletes it  
rate1 Its a porcess file for game launchers and games that use java scripting, eg. minecraft   VP27
rate1 running during mp3 rocket use. slows comp way down. killing it, kills mp3 rocket. on a dial up today. otherwise its fine   russellp73
rate1 Javaw.exe is the Runtime Environment used by Oracle's Java system (formerly, Sun Micro). It is not dangerous, but tends to be a little memory hungry. Don't believe others when they give a high security rating just because it's resource dependent. Many app's use Java, anything including your mobile devices and popular games like Minecraft! If it's eating your memory, perhaps you should look at WHAT you have installed that is USING java - then blame those developers and that application and perhaps uninstall that instead. There is a lot of dynamic content on the web that uses Java and uninstalling the actual runtime environment will be a bit like shooting yourself in the foot really. Java comes preinstalled on almost all PC's and Mac's these days, but the updater tends to run up to twice a month - just let it install and have off with it. Nothing beats having the latest, most secure version of the software in question and it doesn't use all but a minute of your time unless you keep ignoring it.   Al.
rate1 It is the Java runtime applet (or client) memory set. Not dangerous at all.   Jack
rate5 After my computer slowed down and CPU usgae was 100%, I looked forn the cause. Using advance desktop manager i founbd that this file was suspicious. Further checking I saw that there arfe two files with the sqame name. One was hidden in a subfolder of a UPS program and others in Docs$ Settings. They were not the same. Once I deleted the program from the UPS subfolder, my computer went back to normal. CPU usage 5-6%. The other javaw.exe is essential for some programs and does no harm.   Alex Patishi
rate1 It is part of Java.   Twilight Sparkle
rate1 As those who knows anything about computers and java has stated before, this process is part of the Sun Java runtime, and a lot of programs use it. Some version of Java may have flaws, but it all comes down to the programmer that coded with Java. Sometimes memory leaks will happen. Java installs javaw.exe into :\WINDOWS\System32 and :\Program Files\Java\*java version*\ on XP. These 2 javaw.exe files are removed when using add/remove programs (java). Google for fixes if you have problems. Sometimes a rollback or beta version may help.   Seb
rate5 crashed my system!   user101
rate1 This is part of the java runtime. Java is a virtual machine type programming language (similar to .net). It can be a slight system hog because it is a managed language and has garbage collection routines, as well as the fact that it has an intermediate layer for processing... But it is merely a cross platform programming language, and is not malware in and of itself. Since it is a programming language and runtime, the amount of system resources used depends highly on the application utilizing the runtime, if you see this process hogging resources, look at what programs you have running, and one of them is probably a java based app. Also note, that is can be used for good and evil, since it is a programming language, trying to call this malware is like calling anything using the visual runtime malware because it is sometimes used by malware (meaning it's ridiculous and incorrect to do so).   Jarrod1937
rate3 minecraft needs it, eats memory on powerful computers,can cause computer overheating...   B0bcraft
rate0 javaw.exe is used by Hewlett Packard's 'HP QuickSynch'. I don't know what that is but I uninstalled it and "BiddyBee-BiddiBoo" javaw.exe disappeared from my notebook. HP computers have a host of problems associated with interfering Microsoft Windows. Which is a pity cos Windows is bad enough without interference.   Theofanis
rate1 1. Not a virus 2. Deal with the memory or stop using any Java programs 3. Part of Java  
rate1 Minecraft :D   CaptainSparklez

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Is javaw.exe spyware or a virus, trojans, adware or worm? Is there a known javaw.exe error?


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javaw.exe
[javaw.exe in German] [all processes]