Geek's Advice

6 Fixes to Anti Malware Service Executable High CPU Usage 2021

Method 1. Reschedule the work of Windows Defender

If the MsMpEng.exe process started using too much disk space at the moment you need to complete some important tasks, reschedule its work as described:

1. First of all, you need to access the Windows Task Scheduler Library. The easiest way to access it is via Run window. Simply press down Windows key + R on your keyboard at the same time.
2. Now, type in taskschd.msc and click OK.
3. Now, look at the left panel in the window that opens and expand (by double-clicking them) the following sequence of folders: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows.
4. In the Windows folder, find one called Windows Defender.
5. Now, look at the panel in the center and double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.
6. In General Tab, click to put a tick in a checkbox next to Run with highest privileges.
   

   

7. Now, go to Conditions Tab and uncheck the boxes shown below.
8. Finally, do the rescheduling part. Go to Triggers tab, and then click New... customize the scan schedule according to your preference. Click OK to finish. Before you do, make sure the Enabled box is checked!

Method 2. Put Antimalware Service Executable into Windows Defender exclusion list

Here is another tip to reduce high memory usage caused by antimalware service executable MsMpEng.exe.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Windows Security Settings. Click on Update & Security (if you can’t see it, just scroll down with your mouse).
2. Go to Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Virus & Threat Protection Settings.
3. Under Exclusions, click Add or Remove Exclusions.
4. Choose to Add an Exclusion > Process.
5. Type MsMpEng.exe and click Add.

As a result, the discussed process should be consuming a little less CPU power.

Method 3. Shut down Windows Defender to kill Antimalware Service Executable high memory usage in Windows 10

Before you use this method to fix MsMpEng.exe high CPU Usage, please be aware of the fact that you will be disabling Windows’ inbuilt security system.

Please note that you should never leave your computer unsecured and if you decide to disable Windows Defender, consider installing a robust antivirus solution first.

However, keep in mind that most of the security software still slow down computers, so try to find a lightweight one. You can check software reviews on our site if you’d like to.

Please note that if you try to Antimalware Service Executable end task, most likely you’ll receive an error message saying: “The operation could not be completed” and the task won’t be stopping.

Therefore, you’ll need to use different methods to disable this task. Now, let’s get to the point and find out how to disable Windows Defender. There are several ways to do it.

Method 3.1. Disable Windows Defender via Registry value

1. To launch Windows Registry Editor, press down Windows key + R at the same time. This will open the Run window. Type in regedit and click Enter.
   
2. Now, follow the given path (open folders in the left registry pane in the given order): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows Defender
3. Here, try to find an entry called DisableAntiSpyware. If you cannot find it here, right-click on Windows Defender folder, select New > DWORD and then name it DisableAntispyware.
4. Double click it and change the value from 0 to 1. Confirm by clicking OK.
5. Check if Antimalware Service Executable high disk usage Win 10 is now fixed.

Method 3.2. Disable WD via Local Group Policy Editor.

1. Again, launch the Run window by pressing down Windows Key + R at the same moment. Type in: gpedit.msc and then hit Enter.
2. Now, look at the left panel of the editor and expand the following folders in given order: Computer Configuration, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, and finally Windows Defender Antivirus.
3. Here, find an option called Turn off Windows Defender. Double click it, then select Enable option(NOT disabled!), then hit Apply and OK.
4. Restart your computer.

Method 4. Check if MsMpEng.exe process is legit

There is a slight possibility that your computer has been infected with malware that imposes the real Antimalware Service Executable. In that case, you should download an antivirus software and run a system scan with it. You might want to do it in Safe Mode with Networking.

In case an antivirus identifies some suspicious software, you will remove antimalware service executable virus shortly.

However, there is no need to remove the real MsMpEng.exe. It is a legitimate file, and it is entirely safe.

Method 6. Remove Corrupted Windows Defender Definitions

Windows Defender isn’t perfect. Its virus definition library can get slightly corrupted and as a consequence, it can start identifying secure files as dangerous. To remove wrong WD malware definition updates, complete these steps.

1. Open Command Prompt with elevated privileges: open Windows search, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator. In UAC prompt, press Yes.
   
2. In Command Prompt (Administrator) copy and paste the given command, then press Enter.
   “%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN.exe” -RemoveDefinitions -All
3. Now, Enter this command:
   “%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN.exe” -SignatureUpdate
4. Check if Antimalware Service Executable still has high CPU usage.

In case you have found another solution on how to fix high CPU usage caused by Antimalware Service Executable, please share it with us in the comment section below. In addition, if after fixing MsMpEng.exe issue you still experience system slowdowns, we strongly recommend reading these tips on speeding up Windows.