Windows Defender is a pre-installed anti-virus in Windows that may be used to protect your computer from malware. Antimalware service executable safeguards the PC from hazardous malware. The MsMpEng.exe extension can be found in the task manager’s information section.
It protects your computer from viruses and hackers by running in the background. A scan of all new files is performed by MsMpEng.exe to see whether any have been contaminated.
In order to protect the computer, it eliminates or quarantines corrupted files. It also keeps an eye on the PC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to make sure no Trojans are sneaking in.
MsMpEng.exe, on the other hand, is frequently criticised for taking up too much memory. If you don’t pay attention, this could turn into a serious problem. It could cause your PC to become incredibly slow in the long term due to a lack of processing power and memory space.
You’ve come to the right location if you’re in that predicament. We’ll take a closer look at what’s causing this excessive CPU utilisation and how to fix it. Now that we’ve wasted no more time, let’s get right into it.
MsMpEng.exe Is Using a Huge Amount of CPU Power
MsMpEng.exe takes up a lot of CPU space for a variety of reasons. The Windows defender is always on and guards your PC in real time. It also does a full system scan at pre-selected intervals. MsMpEng.exe has a significant impact on the CPU because of its frequent searches. In addition to this, it’s possible that Windows Defender is scanning its own directory.
High CPU consumption can also be caused by a lack of available hardware resources.
A programme called MsMpEng.exe is able to remove the infections. As a result, it’s possible that adware or malware is to blame for this problem. Windows Defender, auto-scan, and other security software, including damaged system files, may all contribute to high CPU consumption.
There are only a few ways to deal with the issue, no matter what the cause may be. Third-party antivirus software can be installed and Windows Defender disabled if you like. You should first experiment with the methods listed before making any decisions.
1. Windows Directory Scanning Cannot Be Prevented With This Method
First, open the Windows Security app, either by searching for it in your taskbar or by going to the settings, clicking on Update & Security, and then on Windows Security.
Step 1: Virus and threat protection is the second option. The next step is to locate and click on the Manage Settings option.
Step 2: Select ‘Add exclusion’ under the Exclusions section. You’ll be presented with the opportunity to select folders at this point. Select the c:Program Files directory from the list of available locations. Microsoft’s security software, Windows Defender
As a result, Windows Defender will not do a scan on the app’s directory.
2. Limiting CPU Usage
Step 1: Simply right-click on the taskbar and select “task manager” from the context menu. Select “Task manager” from the shortcut ctrl + alt + delete. The ‘Details’ part of the task manager can be accessed here.
Step 2: Find MsMpEng.exe by scrolling down and clicking on it. Finally, right-click and select “Set affinity” from the context menu. If you get a ‘access denied’ notice, do the following.
Step 3: Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu of the right-clicked MsMpEng.exe window. You’ll find the ‘Edit’ option under the ‘Security’ page. Press the button to activate it.
To grant the administrator complete control, enter “Full Control” in the box below. Try adjusting affinity again and see if that helps.
Using the affinity box, select the cores you wish this service to utilise. The MsMpEng.exe process will use less CPU power as a result of this change.
3. Start Your Computer in Safe Mode
For Windows ten –
Step 1: First, open the Settings app.
Step 2: Open the ‘Recovery’ tab in the ‘Update and security’ section. The third step is to press the “Restart Now” button. After your computer has restarted, you’ll be presented with a menu of choices. Troubleshoot is located here. To get to the ‘Advanced choices,” go to step.
Step 3: Click on “Startup settings” and then “Restart.”. Restart your computer in safe mode by pressing the ‘F4’ key on your keyboard.
4. Removal of Adware
One of the most common causes of excessive CPU consumption is MsMpEng.exe. Adware, malware, and other viruses abound on the Internet, which is a wide area. They could cause your computer to malfunction in any way. MsMpEng.exe may have been infected by these malware. They may also be obstructing the MsMpEng.exe process.
Adware like this can be removed from your PC. If you don’t already have an anti-virus or anti-adware programme, you need to get one. The scan just takes a few minutes and provides you with an overview of the health of your PC. Adware and malware will be removed automatically if they are found.
In this manner, you may increase the performance of the processes, minimise the CPU load, and protect your computer. As a safety net, you should, of course, make regular copies of your data. Your files could be corrupted by a powerful infection at any time.
5. Windows Defender Can be Rescheduled
Step 1: The first step is to type “task scheduler” into the search field. Second, launch the app. Find and click on “Windows Defender” in the task scheduler library in Step.
Step 2: Find Windows defender scheduled scan in the right-hand box. Make a double-click.
Step 3: Select ‘Conditions’ from the ‘Subsequent Tabs’ list. See how the options to start this task when the computer is free, start this task when the PC is on AC power, and start this task only when the following network connection is accessible, have been disabled?
Step 4: Make any necessary modifications and then save your work. Finally, select a scan day and time that works for you. If a month sounds like a long time, you can even choose weekly. Return to the Windows defender and repeat the process for the remaining tasks.
Although this approach is time-consuming, it has a good likelihood of resolving the issue of excessive CPU consumption. The MsMpEng.exe process won’t start since the defender won’t scan. As a result, the CPU will perform at a high level. If the CPU is overloaded when it scans on schedule, it will be fixed in a short period of time.
6. Disabling Windows Defender
As a result of using a Group Policy editor –
People with Pro or Enterprise Windows are only allowed to participate in this discussion. If you don’t have that, you can disable the defender with the next method.
Step 1: The first step is to press the Windows key and the R key at the same time.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc into the command line and press Enter.
Step 3: Locate ‘Computer configuration’ on the left side of the screen.
Step 4: Next, select ‘Administrative templates’ from the list. A new window will pop up. Click on ‘Windows components.’ Navigate to “Windows Defender Antivirus” as the final step in this process. Open the ‘Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus’ option by double-clicking on it.
Step 5: Click ‘Enabled’ in the newly opened window, then Apply and OK.
Using this method, MsMpEng.exe will be terminated and the CPU will be freed up. However, make sure you have another anti-virus software installed on your computer in order to safeguard it from any potential risks.
7. Sample Suspension Disabled
Corrupted extensions and files are typically reported to Microsoft by Windows. MsMpEng.exe may be using a lot of CPU power because of this. So, see if you can get it to work again by turning it off.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings > Updates and security >’ ‘Windows security’ is the second option. Further, select ‘Virus and Protection’ in the third step. Under virus and threat protection options, select ‘Manage settings’.
Step 2: Optional sample submission can be disabled by swiping the on/off switch under “Automatic sample submission.”
Conclusion
When the app that’s supposed to keep your PC safe ends up slowing it down, you may feel betrayed. However, Windows Defender is an excellent anti-virus software. On a typical day, you shouldn’t have any issues. It’s important to note that the previous procedures should help if your CPU consumption is excessive as a result.
MsMpEng.exe isn’t a malicious file. Your PC’s security depends on it, and it can’t function without it. You don’t have to get rid of it, but if you follow the instructions, you can limit its ability to function. If that doesn’t work, try disabling the defence and getting a new anti-virus programme installed.
Make sure you have anti-virus software on your computer at all times. Within a few minutes of using the internet, you’ll be bombarded with viral attacks.