monstercat.exe

Monstercat Desktop Music Player

Application ProcessSafeMusic Player

CPU Usage

3-12%

Memory

120-420 MB

Location

Program Files\Monstercat

Publisher

Monstercat Ltd.

Quick Answer

monstercat.exe is safe. It's Monstercat's official desktop music player, designed to stream and manage your music library with isolated processes for stability.

Is it a Virus?

1 NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\Monstercat\Monstercat.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Each module (player, updater, library) may run separately

Can I Disable?

1 YES

Close the app or disable startup from Task Manager

What is monstercat.exe?

monstercat.exe is the executable for the Monstercat Desktop Player. It launches the music client, loads your library, and handles streaming, playback, and UI rendering. The app is built to run with a modular process model for stability.

Monstercat uses a multi-process approach where the main UI, playback engine, library indexing, and updates run in separate processes to improve reliability and responsiveness, while isolating tasks from each other.

Quick Fact: Monstercat's desktop client consolidates streaming with local library management, using isolated processes to minimize impact if one component encounters an issue.

Types of Monstercat Processes

Main UI Process: User interface and controls (1 instance)
Playback Engine: Audio decoding and streaming for current track
Library Scanner: Background indexing and metadata retrieval
Updater: Checks for and applies app updates
Notifications: In-app and system tray alerts
Cloud Sync: Syncs favorites and playlists with Monstercat account

Is monstercat.exe Safe?

Yes, monstercat.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Monstercat downloaded from official sources (monstercat.com or Windows Store if applicable).

Is monstercat.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real monstercat.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if monstercat.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Monstercat\Monstercat.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Monstercat\Monstercat.exe. Any monstercat.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager -> Open file location -> Right-click monstercat.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Monstercat Ltd.".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 3-12% CPU per process, 120-420 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the app is idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Monstercat.exe should run when you launch the app. Multiple instances when the app is closed indicates malware.

Red Flags: If monstercat.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\\Roaming, or System32), runs when the app isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software. Be wary of similarly named files.

Why Is monstercat.exe Running on My PC?

monstercat.exe runs when you open the Monstercat Desktop Player or when the app is set to run in the background to keep playback and syncing seamless.

Reasons it's running:

Active Playback: You're playing a track or streaming; playback engines run to decode audio and manage buffering
Background Library Sync: Monstercat updates metadata, artwork, and playlists even when UI is minimized
Startup Automatically: Monstercat is configured to launch at Windows startup for quick access
Notifications and Alerts: In-app or system tray notifications require the process to stay active
Cloud Sync and Offline Cache: Background synchronization of favorites and offline tracks keeps library current

Can I Disable or Remove monstercat.exe?

Yes, you can disable monstercat.exe. You can exit the app when not in use, and uninstall it if you no longer want the Monstercat desktop client.

How to Stop monstercat.exe

End Active Playback: Use the app's stop or pause controls or press Ctrl+P to pause playback
Close App: Click the X to close, or use Alt+F4
End All Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find monstercat.exe, right-click → End Task
Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Monstercat
Stop Background Features: In-app settings → Playback/General → Disable background sync and auto-play

How to Uninstall Monstercat

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Monstercat Desktop Player → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Monstercat
✔ Download and install an alternative music player if desired

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If monstercat.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

High bandwidth streaming: Lower the streaming quality in Monstercat settings or pause playback when not listening
Extensive library indexing: Pause indexing in settings or limit library size; re-index after cleanup
Resource-heavy visualizations: Disable hardware-intensive visuals in settings
Outdated app: Update to the latest Monstercat desktop client
Background sync: Disable sync in settings if not required
Malicious extension or plugin: Only enable official Monstercat plugins; disable third-party plugins

Quick Fixes:
1. Use Task Manager to identify high-usage processes
2. Pause or stop playback and sync temporarily
3. Clear cache and local data for progressive loading
4. Update Monstercat desktop client
5. Disable unnecessary features such as background sync

Frequently Asked Questions

Is monstercat.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate monstercat.exe from Monstercat is not a virus. Ensure the file is located in C:\Program Files\Monstercat\Monstercat.exe and has a valid digital signature from "Monstercat Ltd.". Beware of similarly named files.

Why is monstercat.exe using CPU?

High CPU usage can be caused by active playback, high-quality streaming, or malfunctioning plugins. Check Task Manager, pause playback, disable unnecessary features, and update the app.

Can I delete monstercat.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall the Monstercat desktop client from Windows Settings > Apps > Uninstall. Your music library and settings may be retained if you use cloud sync.

Can I disable monstercat.exe at startup?

Yes, you can prevent startup in Task Manager > Startup by disabling Monstercat, or disable background features in Monstercat settings.

Where are Monstercat settings stored?

Settings are typically stored in the user profile directory, e.g., C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Monstercat or in the application's data directory.

What should I do if playback stops?

Check your network connection, switch streaming quality, restart Monstercat, or reinstall the app if issues persist.