What Is GNOME Software? Is It Safe to Disable at Startup?
GNOME Software is the GNOME desktop app store and update tool on Linux. It is generally safe and usually optional at startup.
- Verdict
- Optional at startupIt is a legitimate GNOME component for browsing apps and handling updates, but it usually does not need to start automatically for the desktop to work.
- File name
- gnome-software
- Publisher
- GNOME Project
- Platforms
- Linux
- Reviewed
What Is GNOME Software?
GNOME Software is the app store and software update tool used on many Linux systems with the GNOME desktop. It lets you browse, install, remove and update applications, and on some distributions it also handles system updates, firmware updates or Flatpak apps.
The executable is usually gnome-software, published by the GNOME Project. It is a normal desktop component, not a background system process that Linux must have running at all times.
Is It Safe?
Yes, GNOME Software is generally safe when it is the real program from the GNOME Project and installed through your distribution's package manager.
If you want to verify it, check which file is being launched with a command like which gnome-software or command -v gnome-software. On most systems it should point to a standard system path such as /usr/bin/gnome-software. You can also check which package owns it with your distro's package tool.
If you see a different file path, a copy in a user-writable folder, or a startup entry using a modified command, treat that as suspicious and investigate before allowing it to run automatically.
Should I Disable It at Startup?
Usually, yes if you do not want it checking for updates or integrating with the desktop in the background. Disabling its autostart is normally safe for system stability. The app should still open normally when you launch it yourself.
The main trade-off is convenience. If your distribution relies on GNOME Software for update notifications, firmware prompts or app update checks, disabling it may stop those reminders until you open the app manually.
Do not remove it just to save a small amount of memory unless you are sure you do not use it. On some GNOME-based systems it is the easiest front end for software management.
Why Is It Using High CPU or Memory?
Short spikes are usually normal when it is refreshing package metadata, checking for updates, loading screenshots, processing Flatpak data or talking to the package backend.
If usage stays high for a long time, common causes include a stuck update check, a package manager lock, a slow software source, Flatpak metadata problems or a backend issue specific to your distribution. Rebooting can clear temporary locks. Opening GNOME Software and letting it finish pending tasks can also help.
If it keeps using a lot of CPU, check whether another package tool is running at the same time. On Linux, software managers often compete for the same package database.
How to Disable or Remove It
If your distro creates an autostart entry for GNOME Software, disable that entry in your desktop's startup settings or in Kudu's Startup Manager if it appears there under XDG autostart.
To remove it completely, use your distribution's package manager rather than deleting files by hand. Be careful: removing GNOME Software may also remove a related plugin package or leave you without graphical update notifications.
If you only want fewer background checks, your distribution may offer update-notification settings, but the exact option names vary.
Where Kudu Helps
On Linux, Kudu can show XDG autostart entries in Startup Manager so you can disable or re-enable supported startup items without hunting through config folders. If GNOME Software is consuming resources, Performance Monitor can confirm whether gnome-software is actually the process using CPU or memory before you change anything.
If a suspicious lookalike is starting instead, Kudu's Malware Scanner can help check for persistence entries and other signs that it is not the real GNOME Software.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I uninstall GNOME Software?
- Usually yes, but only if your distribution does not depend on it for your preferred update workflow. Use your package manager, not manual file deletion.
- Will disabling GNOME Software break Linux updates?
- Not usually. It mainly stops automatic checks or notifications from that app, but updates can still be installed with your distro's package tools.
- Why does GNOME Software start when I did not open it?
- Some distributions let it start in the background to check for app, system or firmware updates. That behavior is usually optional rather than required for the desktop to run.
See every app that starts with your computer
Kudu’s Startup Manager lists Run keys, Startup folder entries, scheduled tasks, Launch Agents, and XDG autostart items in one place. On Windows it also shows each item’s boot time impact.
Download Kudu Free →