Quick Answer
loom-ext is safe. It's Loom's official desktop extension that enables fast screen capture, clip sharing, and cloud syncing within the Loom ecosystem. It runs as a lightweight background service with a UI overlay.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Loom\loom-ext\loom-ext.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Loom\loom-ext\loom-ext.exe
Can I Disable?
✔ YES - Features will be temporarily unavailable
Disabling loom-ext will stop screen recording, clip sharing, and cloud syncing features
Privacy & Permissions
Telemetry is optional; screen capture and microphone permissions are requested per capture session and can be managed in Loom Settings.
Telemetry and permissions are configurable in Loom Settings
What is loom-ext.exe?
loom-ext is the official Loom desktop extension that integrates with the Loom app to simplify screen recording, clipping, and cloud synchronization on Windows. It launches with Loom, provides a lightweight background service, and offers a UI overlay to manage capture targets, timing, and quick sharing to your Loom library.
loom-ext coordinates capture tasks through a small background service that talks to Loom's cloud API for encoding and uploading clips, while the UI overlay handles region selection, timers, and metadata. It isolates capture workloads to maintain system responsiveness.
Quick Fact: Loom's Desktop Extension uses a dedicated Capture Process to minimize impact on other apps and provides near real-time previews during recordings.
Types of Loom Ext Processes
- Main Process: User interface and launch control for loom-ext
- Capture Process: Handles screen capture and region selection
- Sync Process: Uploads clips to Loom cloud and syncs metadata
- Notification Process: Shows Loom-related alerts and status messages
- Background Service: Maintains background tasks like autosave and telemetry (opt-in)
Is loom-ext Safe?
Yes, loom-ext is safe when downloaded from official Loom sources (loom.com) and installed via the Loom installer.
Is loom-ext a Virus or Malware?
The real loom-ext is not a virus. Malware may mimic names; verify digital signatures and file paths.
How to Tell if loom-ext is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Loom\loom-ext\loom-ext.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Loom\loom-ext\loom-ext.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click loom-ext.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Loom, Inc."
- Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU primarily during capture; memory around 100-320 MB. Abnormally high, even when idle, is suspicious.
- Behavior:: Loom-ext should run when Loom features are used; continuous background activity when idle may indicate tampering.
Red Flags: If loom-ext.exe is located outside C:\Program Files\Loom\loom-ext or shows anomalous network activity or invalid signatures, run a full system antivirus scan and compare file hashes.
Why Is loom-ext Running on My PC?
loom-ext runs when you start Loom desktop or enable capture features, and it may run background tasks for syncing and notifications.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Loom Use: You are recording, clipping, or sharing a Loom clip; capture and synchronization services run in the background.
- Background Sync: Clips and metadata sync with Loom cloud to keep your library up to date.
- Startup Launch: Loom is configured to start with Windows or when you sign in.
- Notifications: The app maintains a persistent notification service to alert you to new clips or statuses.
- Telemetry & Updates: Optional telemetry and automatic update checks may run to improve performance.
Can I Disable or Remove loom-ext?
Yes, you can disable loom-ext. You can stop it from running in the background if not needed, and you can uninstall or disable Loom entirely if you prefer another workflow.
How to Stop loom-ext
- End Loom Capture: In Loom app, disable Desktop Extension features in Settings
- Close Loom: Exit the Loom desktop app completely
- Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Loom or loom-ext
- Stop Background Sync: In Loom settings, disable Sync or Telemetry options
- Uninstall Loom: Windows Settings > Apps > Loom > Uninstall
How to Uninstall Loom
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Loom → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Loom
- ✔ Consider alternate capture tools if Loom is not desired
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If loom-ext is consuming excessive resources or behaving oddly:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Active Recordings: During capture, higher CPU and memory usage is expected; stop recording to reduce usage.
- Background Sync: Large imports or long uploads can spike network and CPU; try pausing sync or adjusting settings.
- Outdated Version: Update loom-ext through Loom to ensure bug fixes.
- Conflicting Extensions: Disable other extensions that may conflict with Loom or capture APIs.
- Hardware Acceleration: Try toggling hardware acceleration in Loom settings.
- Disk I/O Bottlenecks: Ensure drive has free space and consider excluding Loom cache from antivirus scans if safe.
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Loom and use Settings > Performance to enable Memory Saver
3. 2. Pause or stop active recordings to reduce load
4. 3. Clear cache or clips from Loom settings if needed
5. 4. Update loom-ext to the latest version
6. 5. Disable unnecessary triggers and extensions while recording
Frequently Asked Questions
What is loom-ext?
loom-ext is part of the Loom desktop experience and is safe when downloaded from official Loom channels; verify signature for trust.
Is loom-ext safe to install?
Yes, loom-ext is safe when installed via the official Loom channels; verify the executable is located at C:\Program Files\Loom\loom-ext\loom-ext.exe and signed by Loom, Inc.
Can I disable loom-ext?
If you don't need Loom Ext, you can disable capture features or uninstall Loom entirely from Windows Settings.
Does loom-ext start with Windows?
Loom-ext may start with Windows if configured; disable in Task Manager > Startup or in Loom settings.
What permissions does loom-ext request?
Loom-ext requests screen capture and microphone permissions when you start a capture; review prompts and grant only when needed.
How do I uninstall loom-ext?
To uninstall, go to Windows Settings > Apps > Loom > Uninstall; loom-ext will be removed along with the Loom app.