# Cursor

Application: Anysphere

Also called cursor editor, anysphere cursor

Anysphere, Productivity

Anysphere's AI code editor. It is a Visual Studio Code fork. The process is Cursor.exe. Microsoft VS Code is still Code.exe.

## What you need to know

Cursor.exe is Anysphere. Code.exe is Microsoft VS Code.

Cursor forks VS Code, so the UI can look familiar. It is a different install, different account, and different exe. Visual Studio the IDE is devenv.exe. Windsurf is another vendor's VS Code-based AI editor.

- **What is it?**: Anysphere AI editor, a VS Code fork

  **Is it VS Code?**: No. Code.exe is Microsoft

  **Process name?**: Cursor.exe

Feex says

If Cursor.exe is busy on a huge repo, I check watchers and extensions inside Cursor. I do not uninstall Visual Studio Code to quiet this process. Code.exe is Microsoft. This window is Anysphere.

## What is Cursor?

Cursor is Anysphere's paid-and-free-tier AI editor built on the VS Code codebase. It is not Visual Studio (devenv.exe) and not Microsoft Code.exe.

## If you have never used it

If a coworker said install Cursor, this is Anysphere's editor, not Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Download it from cursor.com. The window can look like VS Code because it is a fork. Code.exe is Microsoft. Cursor.exe is this product. Uninstalling VS Code does not remove Cursor.

## What is it used for?

**Edit a folder of code**

A VS Code-like workspace. Extensions and settings live in Cursor, not in Microsoft VS Code.

**Inline AI and chat**

Anysphere features that VS Code does not ship as this product. Copilot in Code.exe is a different add-on.

**Language servers**

Python and TypeScript servers still raise RAM. That bill is the same class as VS Code, but the process name is Cursor.exe.

## Who is it for?

- People who want an AI editor and already know VS Code keybindings
- Users who must not confuse Cursor.exe with Code.exe
- Anyone comparing it with Windsurf, another VS Code-based AI editor

## Current status

Cursor (2023) is a current ai code editor from Anysphere. The vendor still points Windows users at https://cursor.com/.

## How old is it?

Anysphere launched Cursor in 2023 as a VS Code-based AI editor. VS Code itself shipped in 2015. Cursor is younger than VS Code and in the same generation as Windsurf. Monthly editor builds are the current product.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Cursor stable

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | A current 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per Cursor  |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | 1 GB class editors run. Language servers and AI chat want more |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| Cursor.exe | Anysphere Cursor editor |
| ---------- | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

Cursor can reopen the last folder. That is session restore, not a VS Code service.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Users\\\<you>\AppData\Local\Programs\cursor\\ |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |

## File formats

Many via extensions, JSON, Markdown

## Common problems

### People close Code.exe to stop Cursor

Two products. Programs\cursor is this article. Microsoft VS Code is Code.exe.

### Marketplace and settings do not follow automatically

Importing VS Code settings is optional. Cursor extensions are not the VS Code profile.

## Getting unstuck

### Open file location on Cursor.exe versus Code.exe

Anysphere under Programs\cursor is this process. Microsoft VS Code is a different install.

### Disable extensions inside Cursor as a test

Use Cursor's extension list, not the VS Code one.

### Install only from cursor.com

A Cursor pro AI editor listing is junk. Anysphere hosts the real installer.

## Alternatives

Visual Studio Code if you want Microsoft's editor. Windsurf is another VS Code-based AI editor. Visual Studio is devenv.exe and a different product.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [cursor.com/ ](https://cursor.com/)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [cursor.com/docs ](https://cursor.com/docs)Vendor support            |
| Official site | [cursor.com/ ](https://cursor.com/)Start here, not a random exe host |
| Cursor docs   | [docs.cursor.com/ ](https://docs.cursor.com/)Editor and account help |

## Related hardware

SSD and RAM help large repos more than a gaming GPU. AI features need a network path to Anysphere services.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Cursor.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/cursor.exe)[Visual Studio Code: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/visual-studio-code)[Windsurf: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/windsurf)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Cursor official site ](https://cursor.com/)· Vendor product page
- [Cursor help ](https://cursor.com/docs)· Vendor support
- [Cursor documentation ](https://docs.cursor.com/)· Vendor docs for the Anysphere editor
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Anysphere

  **Category**: AI code editor

  **Process**: [Cursor.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/cursor.exe)

  **License**: Free tier and paid plans (Anysphere)

  **First released**: 2023

  **Official site**: [cursor.com](https://cursor.com/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/cursor/)

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