# Zoom Application: Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Also called zoom workplace, zoom meetings Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Productivity Zoom Workplace for Windows. The main process is Zoom.exe. Video helpers such as CptHost.exe are part of the same product. ## What you need to know Zoom is a meeting app. Teams and Meet are other products with other process names. Zoom Workplace is the Windows client for Zoom meetings. The tray is optional. Windows Audio still belongs to Audiosrv and audiodg.exe. - **What is it?**: A meeting client **Do I need the tray?**: Only if you join often **Same as Teams?**: No Feex says If you only join a monthly call, I would not leave Zoom in Startup. The client can start from a link when you need it. ## What is Zoom? Zoom is the Zoom Workplace desktop app. Per-user installs under AppData\Roaming\Zoom are common. It is not Microsoft Teams. ## If you have never used it If a calendar invite says "Join Zoom meeting", you can often join in a browser. The Windows app is for people who join often or need gallery video and screen share. Download it from zoom.us/download. It is not Teams, not Meet, and not a Windows component. ## What is it used for? **Meetings and webinars** The call window. This is why Zoom.exe and CptHost.exe appear during a meeting. **Chat and rooms** Workplace chat beside the meeting. Optional if you only click a link once a month. **Local or cloud recording** Host recording writes MP4 or sends it to Zoom's cloud. That is a Zoom feature, not a Windows screen recorder. ## Who is it for? - People whose work or school standardizes on Zoom links - Users who already have a Zoom account - Anyone comparing it with Teams by the exe name, not the logo ## Current status Actively developed. Zoom rebranded the client as Workplace. This article is the Windows desktop meeting app. ## How old is it? Zoom launched meetings in 2013 and became the default work-from-home client in 2020. The current name is Zoom Workplace. The old "Zoom Cloud Meetings" Start tile is the same family. It is not Skype for Business and it is not the 2011 Lync client. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Workplace desktop ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | CPU | Zoom lists current dual-core class machines for gallery video | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | 4 GB class, more with virtual backgrounds | | Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per Zoom | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Gallery view and virtual backgrounds **RAM demand**: Moderate plus helpers **GPU demand**: Video and backgrounds **Network demand**: The call ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | Zoom.exe | Main client | | ----------- | ---------------------------------- | | CptHost.exe | Video capture helper on many calls | ## Startup components Zoom can start with Windows from its own setting. That keeps the tray, not a Windows service named Zoom. ## File locations | Typical user install | C:\Users\\\\AppData\Roaming\Zoom\\ | | -------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ## File formats MP4 recordings, chat exports ## Common problems ### Camera stays on after hang-up Quit from the tray. A leftover preview keeps helpers alive. ### People disable Windows Audio Zoom needs the Windows audio stack. See the Windows Audio service article. ## Getting unstuck ### Quit from the tray after a call A leftover preview keeps CptHost.exe and the camera awake. That is the client, not a virus. ### Join from zoom.us/download if the app is missing A "Zoom installer" from a search ad is a common junk path. The official page is zoom.us/download. ### Test the camera in Zoom settings, not Device Manager first Video > Camera names the device Zoom sees. Windows Audio still belongs to audiodg.exe. ## Alternatives Teams, Meet in a browser, and Discord cover overlapping calls. Choose them for the org, not for a process count. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [zoom.us/download ](https://zoom.us/download)Official Windows client | | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Support | [support.zoom.com/ ](https://support.zoom.com/)Meeting, audio, and account help | | System requirements | [support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb\&sysparm_article=KB0060761 ](https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb\&sysparm_article=KB0060761)What Zoom lists for Windows | | Status | [status.zoom.us/ ](https://status.zoom.us/)When Zoom itself is down | | Account | [zoom.us/signin ](https://zoom.us/signin)License and host settings | ## Related hardware A working camera and a current GPU driver matter more than a famous CPU name for gallery view. ## Technical details Technical details Per-version file hashes and volume-license paths are not verified in this preview. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Zoom.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/zoom.exe)[audiodg.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/audiodg.exe)[Discord: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/discord) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Zoom: download ](https://zoom.us/download)· Official client - [Zoom: system requirements ](https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb\&sysparm_article=KB0060761)· Windows requirements - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? 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**: Zoom Video Communications, Inc. **Category**: Meetings **Process**: [Zoom.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/zoom.exe) **First released**: 2013 **Official site**: [zoom.us](https://zoom.us/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/zoom/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)