What can be more frustrating than your computer lagging when you’re in the middle of doing some urgent work? This is a common problem for most users of Windows 10. Lagging or slowing down of your computer is one of the most common symptoms of high CPU usage. High CPU usage can be caused due to various reasons, but the main reason can be the Antimalware Service Executable of your Windows 10. Before proceeding any further, let’s first get a grip on what exactly this ‘AntiMalware Service Executable’ is.
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What is Antimalware Service Executable?
The Windows Defender in your Windows is an antivirus built-in software in Windows 10. This advanced feature ensures that all Windows 10 users have an antivirus program installed and running, even if the users choose not to install one. Antimalware Service Executable is the main background-running service in the Windows Defender and is also known as MsMpEng.exe, which can be found on the Details tab in your Task Manager. It is responsible for scanning all files on the computer, detecting any dangerous software, installing antivirus definition updates, etc.
Most users of the software have a complaint about high CPU usage. The two most common reasons for this are:
- It’s unique Real-time Protection feature which continuously scans files, connections and other related applications in real time to protect the system from any malicious malware or cyber attack.
- The Full Scan performed by the software for comprehensive scanning of all files when the computer is turned on or connected to a network. This requires excessive use of the CPU for long periods of time, resulting in your system experiencing frequent lagging, hanging and delayed access/response with the system.
How to fix anti-malware service executable windows 10?
Nonetheless, however, time-consuming and frustrating this may prove to be, it is advisable to let the antimalware run and finish the job for the sake of your protection. Once it has completed, it will release the CPU, and the USAGE will drop down to its normal mode. You should remember that disabling Windows Defender without installing another IT security solution first will make your system completely vulnerable to all sorts of risks, malware and viruses.
Anyway, as you must be knowing Antimalware Service Executable 100 Disk Usage is a task run by Windows Defender. Now, let’s have a look at four simple and easy solutions to fix ‘AntiMalware Service Executable to Windows 10’ given as follows:
SOLUTION 1: Change WINDOWS DEFENDER’s schedule
The high memory usage caused by Antimalware Service Executable typically happens when Windows Defender is running a full scan. This can be rectified by scheduling the software to scan the system at a time when you are less likely to feel the drain on your CPU.
The ‘problem of high CPU usage and the resultant slowing down of your system’ is actually good for your computer because your system is being continuously scanned to check the presence of any harmful viruses and malware. The best part of this is that you are assured of the full protection of system by this scanning. Moreover, you can also manually re-schedule the scanning to suit your time by making some small changes in your Windows Task Scheduler, just by following the few steps given below:-
- Press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run box.
- Type “ ” and press “Enter”.
- In the navigation pane on the left, double-click Task Scheduler Library/Microsoft/Windows.
- Double click on the Windows Defender in Windows, then try to find and double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan located in the middle pane.
- Click on “Properties” on the right side menu options.
- Uncheck Run with highest privileges.
- Click the Conditions tab, then uncheck all options and click OK. This will clear your scheduled scans.
- Now, it is important to schedule some new scans to protect the computer as it has become vulnerable to external risks and damages. Click the Properties in the right pane, choose the Triggers tab, and Click New. Here, choose the Weekly option or Monthly, as per your preference, and then choose the Day, Click OK and make sure it is enabled by restarting your computer.
- This will re-schedule the Defender to work as per your preference. However, there is still a possibility of high CPU usage. Repeat the same for the other schedules, such as Windows Defender Cache Maintenance, Windows Defender Cleanup, Windows Defender Verification.
- Turn the conditions off and set the trigger to run once a week.
SOLUTION 2: Add Antimalware Service Executable to Windows Defender’s exclusion list
Windows Defender scans each and every single file on the computer, including itself. This may lead to some unnecessary engagement of the system during the scanning process which is a common cause of the system lagging or slowing down. The Windows Defender can be instructed to skip itself during the scanning process by following the steps given below:-
- Press Ctrl +Shift + Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
- In the list of processes, look for Antimalware Service Executable process.
- Right-click on the said process and select Open File Location.
- In the address bar, the full path of Antimalware Service Executable can be found. Click on the address bar and copy the full path.
- Open the Start menu, type “windows defender” and click on it to open the Windows Defender Security Center.
- Click on Virus & threat protection and select Virus & threat protection settings.
- Scroll down until “Exclusions” and click Add or remove exclusions. Then, click on Add an extension, select File and paste the path to Antimalware Service Executable (MsMpEng.exe) in the address bar. Lastly, click Open and the file will now be excluded from the scan.
SOLUTION 3: Disable Windows Defender
In the unlikely event that the problem persists even after applying the first two fixes, you might feel the need to resort to the last possible option of disabling Windows Defender altogether. It should be borne in mind that once the Windows Defender is disabled, your computer is immediately stripped off of all the security and protection from external damages and cyber attacks. So, it is a wise move to install effective antivirus software on your computer before proceeding to disable the Windows Defender.
How To Turn Off Windows Defender: There are two effective alternate ways of turning off the Windows Defender which you can follow according to your preference and convenience. The first one is by using the LOCAL GROUP POLICY EDITOR which works only on Windows Enterprise and Pro Editions of Windows 10, and more advanced versions of earlier Operating Systems. The second way is by using the REGISTRY.
fix anti-malware service executable Using the Registry
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run Dialog Box.
- In the Run Dialog Box, type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
- In the navigation pane on the left, double-click to navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
- If you find a registry entry named DisableAntiSpyware, double-click it to edit it and set its value data to 1.
- If you do not see a registry entry named DisableAntiSpyware, right click on Windows Defender and select New > DWORD (32 bit) Value.
- Double click on the newly created Then name this new registry entry as DisableAntiSpyware and set its value data to 1.
SOLUTION 4: Scan for malware infections
Another plausible cause of the frequent lagging or disruption of the system functions can be the presence of malware in the system. There is the likelihood that malware has infected the MsMpEng.exe process. Execute a full system scan using a reputed anti-malware product such as Emsisoft Anti-Malware to check your computer for any malware that may be affecting your computer’s smooth and safe functioning.
Windows Defender is a very useful and effective feature of Windows 10 and provides security to the users. However, it can also be a boon due to its disproportionately antimalware service executable high CPU usage. By following the steps described above, you’ll be able to keep your computer running at full speed.
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