This is necessary to use anti-malware software, without that your device can get harmed because of malware attack. In windows, you will get a defense tool which is known as antimalware service executable, the main motive of these tools is to protect your computer from such threats. This is also called MsMpEng.exe, according to several users, they are facing a high CPU usage issue because of this software in their windows. This can be fixed, read this article to know more about this.
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What Is Antimalware Service Executable?
This is the process of the services of the windows defender, this always runs in the background of the windows to protect the software from malware attack. The file name of this software is MsMpEng.exe, this scans your device for these threats, installing updates for the antivirus, and also performs other activities that should be done. It makes sure that your computer is safe even when you haven’t installed any kind of software.
The reason why you may be seeing the error is that this software is running in the background. This is a simple thing to solve this error, you just have to follow some simple steps for this of different methods as explained below in the article.
Fix: Antimalware Service Executable Issue
Change Windows Defender Scheduling Options
This is one of the solutions that solve the problem, you can say you can choose the options as per your preferences and reschedule the time when the scan will happen. It’s effective because the scan will not happen when you are working on the computer. You can set them to a monthly or weekly schedule. Follow the steps as explained below carefully to solve the problem through this method.
Step 1: Open administrative tools, you will see this option at the start menu.
Step 2: Now select the task scheduler option from the menu.
Step 3: Follow Library>Microsoft>Windows>Windows defender path to reach the windows defender folder.
Step 4: Now look for the option ” windows defender scheduled scan.
Step 5: Uncheck the ” Run with high privileges” option.
Step 6: Now uncheck the options, namely idle, power, and network. After this click on OK.
Step 7: Again Click on properties but now choose the triggers tab, and click new.
Step 8: Change the schedule to a weekly or monthly option. You can also select the day, after choosing the schedule as per your preferences click OK.
Step 9: turn the conditions OFF, Set the trigger to run once a week.
Rescheduling will help you solve the error, you will still see high CPU usage but this time it will only happen at your decided schedule. You will be able to solve the error without any issues. This is a great solution, without any worries, you can use the computer in your spare time.
Exclude ‘Antimalware Service Executable’ From Windows Defender
This will change things a lot, your CPU will work fine after adding Antimalware Service Executable to the exclusion list. You just have to follow through with some simple steps which are as follows.
Step 1: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del at once. In the list, check for the antimalware service executable process.
Step 2: Now click on the ” Open file location” option. It will show you the path, now click the address and then copy the location.
Step 3: Press windows+I, next you, have to choose the windows and security option and then choose the windows defender option.
Step 4: Now choose, Add an Exclusion, exclude the .exe, file type, or .scr process. Now paste the path in the MsMpEng.exe that you copied.
Step 5: Paste the path to the folder you have copied and then add /MsMpEng.exe in that.
Step 6: Click OK for saving the changes.
This should not be difficult for you to enter the task manager and exclude this file. Just follow the steps as explained for this. There are several other methods if you are not satisfied with this then you should try the next methods.
Scan For Malware
The main purpose of windows defender is to scan for malware, it runs for the benefit of your device. You will face the issue only when the scan is running in the background, this software may also get affected because of malware so you have to solve this. Scanning that malware with any other kind of software or application can solve this problem. They will scan and remove that malware, it will remove the issue with the scan done with this software.
Update All Your Drivers
You may not know about the cause of the issue, it may be happening because of an outdated driver. In that case, you can try to update the drivers. For this, you have to follow some simple steps in this method.
Step 1: Open the tasks bar as explained before in the previous methods.
Step 2: Enter the device manager in the search box of the taskbar. Click on device manager after you see the option.
Step 3: Select all the drivers you want to update, or you can select the categories that you want to update.
Step 4: Select the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
Step 5: Click on Update Driver.
Step 6: You can also see the manufacturer’s website for the new driver and follow the instructions given by them.
This is done, you have successfully updated your drivers. Now you can check whether the problem is still occurring in your computer or not. If there is still this issue then you can try the methods explained below.
Disable Windows Defender
Disabling the windows defender is the option you have when all the other methods don’t work. The main reason for this is the antimalware service executable process scan but in one of the methods, we have already explained this. If your problem is not solved then you can try to disable the windows defender software completely.
Using Group Policy Editor
Step 1: Press the windows+R key to open the run window. Now in the dialogue box of this window enter “gpedit.msc”. After that click Ok, it will open the Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: Now the first click on computer configuration then the administrative templates>windows component>windows defender.
Step 3: Now you will see the option to Disable the option to turn off the windows defender. Double click on that and then press ok.
Step 4: Restart your computer.
Using Registry Editor
Step 1: Open the run windows by pressing windows+R keys together.
Step 2: This time enter Regedit in the dialogue box. After this click ok, it will open the windows registry.
Step 3: Change the value of DisableAntiSpyware to 1. To edit you have to double click on that.
You can disable the windows defender using these two methods for yourself. It will remove the reasons why you face this problem.
Remove Bad Updates From Your System
Because of bad updates, windows will be identified as malware in antimalware service executable process scans. You can try fixing this and see if this solves the CPU high usage problem. Follow the simple steps to remove these bad updates from the system.
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the run window.
Step 2: Type CMD in the box and then press Shift+Ctrl+Enter at once. It will provide the administrative privileges to the command prompt.
Step 3: After you see an elevated command prompt, click YES.
Step 4: “%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN, now enter this command.
Step 5: “%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN, again type this in the command and then press enter.
Step 6: Wait and check if the issue still occurs.
Removing these bad updates will solve the problem of high CPU usage. You must remove them if the software shows the problem.
Conclusion
The methods explained above are effective, you will surely be able to solve the problem of high CPU usage. Antimalware service executable is software for the security of your computer. The main reasons for high CPU usage are because it runs in the background if you can disable this or schedule it as per your preferred time then this will solve the problem.
Also Read: 15 Best Portable Antivirus Software For Windows In 2020