Grammarly
Also called grammarly desktop, grammarly editor
A writing assistant with a Windows desktop app and an Office add-in. The process is Grammarly.exe. It is not Word.
What you need to know
Grammarly.exe is a helper. Word is WINWORD.EXE.
Grammarly suggests. Word stores the document. The Office add-in runs inside Word. They are different vendors and different executables.
- What is it?
- Writing assistant
- Still current?
- Yes, see Current status
- Official download?
- Use the vendor link in this article
What is Grammarly?
Grammarly is a writing assistant. Grammarly.exe is the Windows desktop app. Microsoft Word is WINWORD.EXE. Suggestions can appear in Word through an add-in. The file still belongs to Word.
If you have never used it
If you want grammar suggestions in the browser or in Word, this is Grammarly, not Microsoft Word. Download the Windows app from grammarly.com/desktop. WINWORD.EXE is the document editor. Grammarly.exe is a helper. The Office add-in loads inside Word. Uninstalling Word does not remove every Grammarly piece, and removing Grammarly does not uninstall Word.
What is it used for?
A Grammarly window for drafts. It is not the Word canvas and not WINWORD.EXE.
Suggestions in a running Word document. Ending Grammarly.exe may not unload an already loaded add-in until you restart Word.
A different surface in Edge or Chrome. That is not the Windows desktop exe alone.
Who is it for?
- People who already pay for Grammarly
- Writers who want hints inside Word
- Anyone who should not reinstall Office to fix a Grammarly login
Current status
Actively developed. This article is the Windows desktop app and the Office add-in story, not only the website editor.
How old is it?
Grammarly launched in 2009 as a writing assistant. Word launched in 1983 as a document app. The desktop wrapper and the Office add-in are later Grammarly surfaces. They never replaced WINWORD.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
|---|---|
| RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects 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.
| Grammarly.exe | Desktop app. Office add-in loads inside Word |
|---|
Startup components
Grammarly can start with Windows from its own setting. That is not Word.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Grammarly\Grammarly.exe |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Add-in slows Word
Disable the Grammarly add-in from Word's add-in list. That is not a WINWORD repair by itself.
People think Grammarly is a Word clone
You still need a real editor for .docx layout. Grammarly does not replace mail merge.
Getting unstuck
Sign in at grammarly.com if the desktop app loops
The account is Grammarly's, not the Microsoft 365 account that activates Word.
Install from grammarly.com/desktop
A "Grammarly free Windows" search ad is the wrong file. Office.com will not install this helper.
Manage the Word add-in from Word, not from Settings > Apps alone
COM or Store add-ins live in Word. Removing Grammarly.exe may leave the add-in until you disable it.
Alternatives
Word Editor, LanguageTool, and a careful proofread overlap. Word is the document sibling this article is not.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | www.grammarly.com/desktop Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | support.grammarly.com/ Vendor support |
| Official site | www.grammarly.com/desktop Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
The desktop app is light. The add-in cost shows up inside Word's RAM.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Grammarly official site · Vendor product page
- Grammarly help · Vendor support
- Grammarly for Microsoft Office · Add-in versus desktop app
- Foxhole process map · 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.
Thanks. That helps us improve this page.