How To Disable Antimalware Service Executable 2024? [100% Fix]

How to Disable Antimalware Service Executable? Many Windows 10 and 11 users have reported the Anti-Malware Service Executable High CPU issue that they cannot resolve. The Anti-Malware Service Existable is the MsMpEng (MsMpEng.exe) process used to perform its function.

While the Anti-Malware Service Executable High CPU automatically starts running behind the computer, slowing down the computer. If you are facing antimalware Service executable high memory in your Windows system, this article is for you; it can solve your problem step by step.

Why is Antimalware Service Executable Using High CPU/Disk?

The real-time protection feature causes the anti-malware Service to be a high-CPU executable that continuously scans the application system and connections. When you are installing the latest file or an application, this anti-malware Service executable checks each and everything to see if you are malicious or not. That’s why it keeps running in the background and uses more CPU and disk, which causes CPU and memory overload problems.

Scanning your folder C:\Program Files\Windows Defender. It causes the antimalware service executable to use more CPU and disk. However, the anti-malware Service executable consumes good CPU for various reasons such as:

Software conflicts with the Windows components
System low hardware resources
Corrupted system files
Virus infection
Running outdated Windows Defender definition
And the Windows Defender self-scanning function.

So, here are some tips to prevent anti-malware services from scanning, and the problem of high CPU usage should be solved.

Solution 1: Disable Windows Defender via Command Prompt

It was suggested earlier to turn off the Windows Defender program and check if the antimalware service executable high memory issue is resolved.

So do this, follow these commands:

First, go to the Windows search box and type cmd.
Right-click Command Prompt in the search results listing and choose Run as administrator.

Antimalware Service Executable High CPU? 7 Ways to Stop it

Type the given command in the command prompt and press Enter.

REG ADD “hklm\software\policies\microsoft\windows defender” /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

After executing this command, Window Defender will be disabled from the computer.

With this solution, it can prevent CPU usage and background running. This process will automatically stop when Window Defender is disabled.

Solution 2: Disable Windows Defender Using Registry Editor

Suppose you cannot disable the Anti-Malware Service Executable service through Command Prompt and prevent high CPU usage. You can turn it off using Registry Editor.

Follow the steps below:

After opening the Run box, press the Window + R key.
In the Run dialog box, type regedit, open the Registry Editor, and click OK.

Go to the path given in the registry editor.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Right-click on the Windows Defender and select the New option from the list, then select the DWORD.
And double click on the DWORD you created, name it DisableAntiSpyware, and set its value to 1.

Solution 3: Turn off Real-Time Protection

Another way to fix the Anti-Malware Service Executable High CPU is to turn off the real-time protection cache. You can do this by following a few instructions below:

Press the Windows + R key and type gpedit.msc, then press an OK button or press Enter.

Navigate to the given path in the Group Policy Editor:

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Defender Antivirus/Real-time Protection

In the right pane of the Window, double-click. Turn off real-time protection.

Select the Enable option in the new Window.

Tap on Apply and OK button.

After performing these steps, Window Defender and Anti-Malware Service Executable High CPU will be disabled from your computer. You will no longer need to experince an anti-malware service executable on a high-CPU computer.

Solution 4: Install Third-Party Antivirus

Anti-Malware Service Executable processes are associated with Window Defender. If you are facing high CPU usage by Msmpeng.exe Antimalware Service Executable, I suggest you use a 3rd party antivirus tool. Window Defender works better than an antivirus tool. This trick may come in handy for you to install an antivirus tool on your computer.

If you’re looking for an antivirus tool, I highly recommend you try SpyHunter. It is an anti-malware tool that protects your computer from virus/malware attacks and keeps it healthy.

Get Spyhunter to Remove the Virus/Malware From Your Computer

Solution 5: Modify the Windows Defender Scheduling Settings

Here, it is recommended to modify the schedule settings of Window Defender. It has resolved many users’ CPU usage issues of the Anti-Malware Service.

Follow this step to do so:

Touch the window icon and type task schedule in the search box.
Then, in the Task Scheduler screen, scroll to the left side and double-click the Task Scheduler screen library.

Now expand the fold along the path: Library/Microsoft/Windows/Windows Defender.

Now, in the Window Defender folder, find the Window Defender scheduler scan and double-click on it.
Now, in the new Window, go to the Condition tab, click on the OK button, and then uncheck all the options. Doing so will clear the scan schedule on the PC.

Next, reschedule the Windows Defender scans and double-click on the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.

Click the Triggers tab, and then click.
Now, you need to create a new scan schedule, select the scan day, and click confirm to turn on the scan.
Next, repeat the process for the other 3 services: Windows Defender Cleanup, Windows Defender Verification, and Windows Defender Cache Maintenance.

Now, this trick will reset the Windows Defender on your computer to work as you set. Reboot your PC and see if the Anti-Malware service issue is resolved.

Solution 6: Add Antimalware Service Executable to the Exclusion List

To resolve the excessive CPU usage of Anti-Malware on Windows 10, put this process in the window defaulter’s exclusion list. Follow the given steps to do so:

Press the Windows + I key and open the Windows Settings.
In the Window Settings, click the Security and Updates option.

Click the Window Defender option on the lift pane of the Window.
Click on Add an Exclusion in the Exclusions section.

Select the Exclude a.exe,.com, or. scr process option.

Fill out the box with MsMpEng.exe, then press the OK button.

You have added the Antimalware Service Executable to the process exclusion list; this issue should be resolved.

Solution 7: Perform a Clean Boot

If none of the above methods can stop the Anti-Malware service executable from using a high CPU, you are advised to perform a clean boot. Sometimes, a 3rd party application can interfere with system processes and use more CPU or system memory. You can solve your problem by using CleanBoot.

Follow the instructions below:

To open the Run dialog box, hit Window + R, type msconfig, and click Enter.

Then, click Service in the System Configuration window.
Now, check the box next to the Hide All Microsoft Service option and press the Disable All button.

After that, save and quit. To launch Task Manager, press CTRL+ Shift+ Esc.
And under the launch tab, choose each Service individually and click on it.
Exit the program and restart your computer.

Quick 2 Tips

1. Schedule Scans During Off-Peak Hours:

Set up Windows Defender to conduct scheduled scans during times when you’re less likely to be using your computer actively. This minimizes the impact of Antimalware Service Executable on CPU usage during your regular tasks.

2. Add Exclusions for High-Usage Applications:

Identify resource-intensive applications on your system and add them to Windows Defender’s exclusion list. This prevents unnecessary scanning of these applications, reducing the strain on the CPU caused by Antimalware Service Executable. Access the exclusions list in Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings > Add or remove exclusions.

(How to Disable Antimalware Service Executable?)

FAQs

Is the anti-malware service executable virus?

No, the Anti-Malware service is not even a virus. It is the main process of Window Defender. This operation will continue in the background as long as Windows Defender is activated on your Windows 10 PC.

Why does Msmpeng.exe use so much hard disk and CPU?

An anti-malware service commonly uses high CPU and hard disk space because it constantly scans files/folders, connections, and malware applications. The anti-malware process also uses a large amount of hard disk and CPU, installing updates regularly with information about new malware.

Do I need an anti-malware service?

The anti-malware service executable only scans your computer for malware. So, if this process is consuming more CPU, you can turn it off. And instead of Window Defender, you can use any other reliable third-party antivirus tool. So, if you have another antivirus installed on your computer, the Msmpeng.exe process is unnecessary.

How do I stop Window Defender from running in the background?

Following these simple steps, you can prevent Windows Defender from running in the background on your Windows 10 computer. Select the Windows Start button, then the Settings icon. On the Windows Settings screen, go to Update & Security. Go to Windows Security and choose Virus & Threat Protection. Select Virus and Threat Protection Settings. Now, turn off the Real-time protection.

Final Thoughts

Here’s everything you need to know about Windows Defender’s anti-malware process and how it affects CPU usage. This article and the mentioned solution will help you to solve your anti-malware Service high CPU issue. If you found this article useful and informative, then share this article. You can also contact us on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.