Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\LICEcap\liceCap.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\LICEcap\liceCap.exe
Warning
Typically a single primary process; multiple threads occur during GIF encoding
During capture, liceCap may spawn worker threads for frame capture and encoding
Can I Disable?
YES
Close the capture window to stop; exit the application; uninstall if not needed
What is liceCap.exe?
liceCap.exe is the Windows executable for LICEcap, a lightweight screen capture tool that records a selected area of your screen directly to an animated GIF or WebP sequence. It runs as a small, user-initiated application that focuses on simplicity and fast GIF generation.
LICEcap uses a single process to sample frames at a user-defined rate, encodes frames on the fly, and writes the GIF to disk. It relies on Windows drawing APIs for screen capture with minimal resource use.
Quick Fact: LICEcap aims for simplicity and speed, enabling quick GIF captures with adjustable frame rate and area.
Types of LICEcap Processes
- Main Process: GUI and capture controls (one instance)
- Capture Worker: Frame grabbing at the selected area
- Encoder Thread: Real-time GIF/frame encoding
- Disk Writer: Writes GIF data to disk in real-time
Is liceCap.exe Safe?
Yes, liceCap.exe is safe when it's downloaded from official sources (liceCap website or trusted software repositories) and used as the legitimate screen capture utility.
Is liceCap.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real liceCap.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may imitate names; verify publisher and path.
How to Tell if liceCap.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\LICEcap\liceCap.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\LICEcap\liceCap.exe. Any liceCap.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures -> Publisher should be the official liceCap project or recognized developer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low CPU/memory when idle; high usage during capture is expected, but constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: liceCap should not launch by itself without user action. If it starts unexpectedly, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If liceCap.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs without user action, has no digital signature, or uses resources constantly, run antivirus and verify the source.
Why Is liceCap.exe Running on My PC?
LICEcap runs when you start a screen capture or when capture is configured to run quickly; it may stay resident to respond to hotkeys and provide quick capture workflows.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Screen Capture: You're actively capturing a region; liceCap is running to grab frames at the defined rate.
- Background Encoding: While capturing, frames are encoded and buffered before being saved to the GIF file.
- Startup Launch: If you configured it to start with Windows or with a shortcut, liceCap may run at startup.
- Hotkeys or Automation: Global hotkeys or automation scripts can trigger capture, keeping liceCap active in memory.
- Session Persistence: LICEcap may remain open to allow quick re-capture, especially if a capture window is left open.
Can I Disable or Remove liceCap?
Yes, you can disable liceCap. You can end active captures, close the app, or uninstall it if you no longer need it.
How to Stop liceCap
- End Current Capture: Click Stop in the liceCap capture window or press the configured hotkey to end.
- Close LICEcap: Close all LICEcap windows to exit the program.
- End Task: Open Task Manager, locate liceCap.exe, right-click End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Disable any startup shortcut or task in Windows Startup or in the app's own settings.
- Disable Background Capture: In liceCap settings, disable any option to run in background or auto-start.
How to Uninstall liceCap
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> liceCap -> Uninstall
- ✔ Windows Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> liceCap -> Uninstall
- ✔ Delete remaining config files from AppData if necessary
Common Problems: Screen Capture Performance
If liceCap.exe is misbehaving or producing poor results, review these common causes and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Large Capture Area: Capture a smaller area to reduce frame data and file size.
- High Frame Rate: Lower frames per second in capture settings.
- Insufficient Disk Space: Free up space or choose a different drive.
- Heavy Background Apps: Close other programs or lower system load.
- Outdated Version: Update to the latest release from the official site.
- Incorrect Color Depth: Use 8-bit color mode or adjust options to 256 colors to save space.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open LICEcap settings and adjust capture area and frame rate
2. Free disk space and choose a local drive with ample space
3. Close unnecessary applications to reduce CPU load
4. Update LICEcap to the latest version
5. Test a short, small-area capture to confirm basic functionality
Frequently Asked Questions
Is liceCap.exe a virus?
No, liceCap.exe is the legitimate Windows executable for LICEcap. Ensure it's from the official source and located under C:\Program Files\LICEcap\liceCap.exe.
Why is liceCap.exe using CPU or memory?
During capture, encoding and frame sampling use CPU; high usage can occur with large capture areas, high frame rates, or complex visuals.
Can I delete liceCap.exe?
You can uninstall LICEcap from Windows settings. Deleting the executable manually may leave settings behind; use the official uninstall method.
Can I disable liceCap.exe at startup?
Yes, remove any startup shortcut or disable the startup entry in Task Manager or your system's startup apps.
How do I change the capture area size?
Open LICEcap, click and drag to select an area, then adjust the dimensions in the capture window. You can also resize the window to adjust the area.
How do I uninstall liceCap?
Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> liceCap -> Uninstall. Follow prompts to remove.