If you open the Windows Task Manager (by pressing CTRL ALT DEL) you might notice the process jqs.exe that is running with a low priority. Jqs.exe uses about 1.5 Megabytes of computer memory and 2 Megabytes of virtual memory while running. It also initiates I/O processes frequently if those columns are activated in the Task Manager.
Experienced computer users might guess that the process is related to Java and that is the case indeed. Jqs.exe is the Java Quick Starter which was designed to improve the startup time of Java applets and applications by prefetching Java Runtime Environment (JRE) files frequently into memory. That’s mainly interesting for users who work with Java on a day to day basis. Everyone else might be better of disabling the Java Quick Starter. Think of a user who encounters one Java applet per month (or week), would it make sense to run the process all the time because of those few instances where it might start the application or applet faster? (see also Java Portable on how to use a portable version of Java on the computer)
Jqs.exe is definitely querying the Windows Registry for instance. The performance increase might not be huge but you will free up some computer memory and some I/O processes on the computer system.
How to disable JQS.exe
Now, if you want to disable the Java Quick Starter process you can do that in the Windows Control Panel. You find a Java entry there which will open the Java Control Panel.
A click on Advanced and the selection of Miscellaneous will display the activated Java Quick Starter entry. Uncheck the box to disable the process. This will be visible in the Windows Task Manager immediately.
java quickstarter
You might also be interested in finding out how to run Java Portable which is another option to make sure that no background processes are running.
Interested in finding out what other processes on your system are doing? Check out our Process listing for that.
Update: Several commenters mentioned that using the Java Control Applet to disable jqs.exe will only disable the program from running for the logged in user. Another method to disable the Java background process is more appropriate for multi-user systems:
You need to press Windows-R, type in services.msc and hit enter. This opens the Windows Services configuration window. Locate the Java Quick Starter service from the listing and right-click it.
Select Properties from the menu, this opens a new window with details about the process.
Click on the Stop button to stop the Java Quick Starter button and thus jqs.exe from running in the current session. You also need to change the startup type from automatic to disabled to prevent that it is loaded on the next start of the Windows operating system. Once done click Apply and then Ok to close the window.
Additional Resources:
Update Java
Windows Process Manager (better task manager)
ctfmon.exe
Related Articles:
Download Microsoft Office Starter 2010JRE Download
Get rid of unnecessary system startups
Java Error 25099 Unzipping Core Files Failed
Why is nvsvc32.exe running on my system ?
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ using the icons below.
Hey Cool tips you have here.
Thanks.
Cool, I was wondering what that was!
Thanks for the article, its good… just like the rest of your site!
Thanks a ton mate.
Excellent information! thanks!
Thanks!
your the man
thanks
nice post and Thanks for the info :)
The memory is not really worth fretting about.
But – have you noticed how many page faults the little bugger generates? He’s #1 in page faults, meaning that it will generate a significant percentage of disk work with about 0 benefit. Unless you’re starting Java applications all day, that is.
I didn’t find the option to disable it where it was supposed to be, according to the article, but you can just stop and disable the service.
It appears that Spybot Search and Destroy has began blocking jqs.exe from running. This makes me infer that, even if jqs.exe is legitimately installed with the official version of Java, it is used by spyware programs to wreak havoc on your computer. I agree that most users would be better off disabling this program.
Great post.
My computer was losing cycles; mouse moving intermittently, running very slowly. However, when I disabled jqs.exe the mouse, the computer, everything was functioning correctly again.
I’m not sure if anyone else was having any problems like this but removing jqs.exe from the taskmanager has definately helped.
Thank you so much for the info on jqs.exe. Now I don’t have to see it in my Task Manager!
To disable the service
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin>jqs -disable
or to just get rid of it
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin>jqs -unregister
or to shut it all down
Control Panel | Java |
Advanced — Java Console – Do not start, JRE Auto-Download – Never, Misc – uncheck Place Java Icon and JQS
Update — uncheck Check for updates
I’m late to the party, but found this page while researching the little bugger…
I knew what it was, but didn’t know it’s footprint. I found it installed on one of our servers (where it has no business being installed). I noticed it on a workstation on an isolated network (can’t SEE “the net”). It must be talking to itself, ‘cuz there’s no one out there.
It generates LOTS of PAGE FAULTS, second only to our RTVscan… ;-). It also is second on I/O READS, I/O OTHER, and I/O READ BYTES. Why do we follow READS and READ BYTES? I donno… but JQS generates 205 BILLION I/O READ BYTES. Yeah, that was with a “B”…
Anyway, It’s time to cut the cord and mention it to our infrastructure guys…
Thanks for the article!
My computer has been on for only 12 hours or so and the I/O Read Bytes tab in task manager is reading over 17 gigabytes for JQS.EXE. Can anyone tell me why it is reading so MUCH data? I cant see it get any larger so it must be doing it while im not using the pc.
A well done article which deserves a big big Thanks :)
You guys are the bomb! Thank you whole heartedly!!!!!!
JQS.EXE also prevents the system from entering auto-standby. It is major pain.
Thanks it helped
I use java all the time to play my favorite game RuneScape.
So turning jqs off only affects load time or does it also affect applet performance once it is fully loaded?
Thank you !!!!!
Q`A
hey every time i open jqs the black box pops up but then immediately closes, any suggestions??
Good tip thanks.
Thanks for this tip. JQS was sitting in my task manager with 68 gigs read before I turned it off!
Excellent tip! Thanks much!
I was wondering what jqs.exe was when I looked at my processes. now i’m clear about what is it. thanks a lot. :)
it works like a charm.thanks