# PyCharm

Application: JetBrains

Also called pycharm community, pycharm professional

JetBrains, Productivity

JetBrains' Python IDE. The 64-bit Windows process is pycharm64.exe. Community and Professional are different licenses. It is not IntelliJ IDEA.

## What you need to know

PyCharm is pycharm64.exe. IntelliJ is idea64.exe.

PyCharm is JetBrains' Python IDE. Community is free. Professional is paid. IntelliJ IDEA is the Java-first IDE. python.exe is the runtime, not this window.

- **What is it?**: JetBrains Python IDE

  **Same as IntelliJ?**: No. Different IDE and exe

  **Need python.exe too?**: Yes. PyCharm calls an interpreter

Feex says

If pycharm64.exe is busy, I would check the interpreter and the project index inside PyCharm. I would not close idea64.exe to quit this IDE. IntelliJ is the Java sibling.

## What is PyCharm?

PyCharm is JetBrains' dedicated Python IDE. It is not IntelliJ with a Python plugin as the Start tile, and it is not the python.org interpreter.

## If you have never used it

If a Python class said install PyCharm, download it from jetbrains.com/pycharm/download. Community is the free Python IDE. Professional adds paid web and science tools. pycharm64.exe is this product. idea64.exe is IntelliJ. python.exe is the interpreter PyCharm calls, not the IDE.

## What is it used for?

**Python projects and venvs**

The IDE picks an interpreter. python.exe is still CPython. Anaconda Navigator is a different front door.

**Community versus Professional**

Community covers core Python. Professional is the paid edition. IntelliJ Ultimate is a different SKU.

**Debugger and pytest UI**

Integrated test and debug tools. VS Code can do this with extensions. The process name is still pycharm64.exe here.

## Who is it for?

- Python developers who want a JetBrains IDE
- Students whose syllabus says PyCharm Community
- Anyone who opened IntelliJ and wondered where the Python run config went

## Current status

PyCharm (2010) is a current python ide from JetBrains. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/.

## How old is it?

JetBrains shipped PyCharm in 2010, after IntelliJ (2001) and before most AI editors. Current builds ship through Toolbox or the standalone installer. It is not IDLE and not python.org.

## Versions

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

Community

Professional

## 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 JetBrains             |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | JetBrains lists 2 GB minimum and 8 GB recommended for current PyCharm builds |

## 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.

| pycharm64.exe | PyCharm 64-bit IDE |
| ------------- | ------------------ |

## Startup components

PyCharm can reopen the last project. That is not python.exe starting as a service.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\JetBrains\PyCharm \*\\ |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------- |

## File formats

PY, TOML, requirements.txt

## Common problems

### Wrong interpreter selected

PyCharm can point at a Store Python, a venv, or Anaconda. That setting is inside PyCharm. Uninstalling IntelliJ will not fix it.

### Community missing a Professional feature

Django and notebook tooling sit on the paid edition. That is a license line, not a broken Community download.

## Getting unstuck

### Settings > Project > Python Interpreter

Name the venv or python.org install. This screen does not exist on IntelliJ Community the same way.

### Confirm you launched PyCharm, not IDEA

pycharm64.exe is this article. idea64.exe is IntelliJ. Both can live under JetBrains folders.

### Install from jetbrains.com/pycharm/download or Toolbox

A PyCharm Professional crack is junk. JetBrains hosts the real builds.

## Alternatives

VS Code plus the Python extension. python.org plus a small editor. IntelliJ if you live in Java, not Python.

## Official help and downloads

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

| Download      | [www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/ ](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/ ](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/)Vendor support                            |
| Official site | [www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/ ](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/)Start here, not a random exe host                   |
| Toolbox App   | [www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/ ](https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/)Installs and updates PyCharm                |

## Related hardware

The IDE wants several GB of RAM once a real project is indexed. The interpreter you attach can want more.

## 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.

[IntelliJ IDEA: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/intellij-idea)[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).

- [PyCharm official site ](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/)· Vendor product page
- [PyCharm help ](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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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**: JetBrains

  **Category**: Python IDE

  **Process**: pycharm64.exe

  **License**: Community (Apache-2.0) / Professional (paid)

  **First released**: 2010

  **Official site**: [jetbrains.com/pycharm](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/)

  **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/pycharm/)

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