When you’re using your computer, knowing what’s running under the hood is pretty important. If you bump into a process named Loom.exe on your Windows 11 or 10 PC and you’re scratching your head wondering what it is, this piece is here to clear things up. We’ll talk about what Loom.exe is, figure out if it’s a bad guy (malware), and show you how to get rid of it if you need to.
Also see: How to Scan an .exe File for Viruses to Check If It’s Safe
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What is Loom.exe?
Loom.exe is a file that comes with a cool video recording and sharing app called Loom. When you set up Loom on your Windows PC, this file tags along. It’s basically the brain of the app, making sure all the smart stuff Loom does, like screen recording and video editing, happens smoothly.
Just like any other executable file, Loom.exe talks to your computer’s brain and muscles to get the job done. Seeing Loom.exe in your task manager just means the app is doing its thing, either right in front of you or in the background.
But, just because you see a Loom.exe, doesn’t mean it’s always the good guy. Sometimes, the bad guys (cybercriminals) dress up their nasty software to look like regular files like Loom.exe to sneak into your system. We’ll talk about how to tell the difference and what to do about it below.
Handy guide: How to Know Which App is Using The Internet in Windows 11
Is Loom.exe a malware or virus?
If Loom.exe comes from the official Loom app, then no worries, it’s not a virus or malware. Malware is bad software that wants to harm your computer or sneak around without permission. But the Loom.exe that’s part of the Loom app is just there to help the app run smoothly on your PC.
However, if you never installed Loom but see Loom.exe running, or it’s hanging out in a weird place on your computer, that’s when you should be a bit suspicious.
If Loom.exe is eating up a lot of your computer’s energy (CPU) when it’s not supposed to, like when you’re not using Loom, that could mean it’s up to no good, doing sneaky stuff in the background like malware does.
Useful tip: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11
How to check if Loom.exe is malware
Keeping your computer safe means checking out files that seem sketchy. Here’s how to do a quick check on Loom.exe:
- Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to pop open the Task Manager.
- Look for
Loom.exeunder the “Details” tab. This shows you everything running on your PC. - Right-click on Loom.exe and choose “Open file location”. This will show you where the file lives on your computer.
If you find it in the expected Loom folder, you’re probably good. But if it’s somewhere else, be cautious.
You can also use a virus scanner to check the file for nasties. Just use your favorite antivirus or the built-in Windows Defender to get a second opinion on the file’s safety.
Related resource: How to Know Which Process is Using a File in Windows 11
How to uninstall Loom.exe
Want to say goodbye to Loom.exe, either because it’s not what you thought or you just don’t need Loom anymore? Here’s how:
- Hit the “Start” button and go to “Settings”. Or, press Windows + i to jump there fast.
- Find “Apps” and then “Installed apps”. This shows all the apps on your PC.
- Look for “Loom”.
- Click on Loom, then hit “Uninstall” to start the goodbye process.
After these steps, the Loom software and the Loom.exe file should be off your computer.
If you find out Loom.exe is a baddie and the normal way to remove it doesn’t work, you might need to bring in some bigger guns like an antivirus or anti-malware tool to kick it out. These tools are made to spot and remove the troublemakers from your system.
Summing up
Loom.exe is usually a good guy, an essential part of the Loom video recording app. But it’s always smart to double-check if you’re not sure why it’s there or if it’s acting weird. Keeping your computer safe means being on the lookout and checking things out when they seem off. And if you decide you don’t need an app or file, getting rid of it is a simple and quick solution.
