MsMpEng.exe High CPU Usage in Windows 10, If your Windows 10 computer is slow or stuck, please open Task Manager and see if the problem is caused by the high CPU usage of MsMpEng.exe.
High CPU usage of MsMpEng.exe in Windows 10
MsMpEng.exe is a legitimate Windows operating system file, not a malware program or virus that attempts to steal information or attempt to damage your computer. In fact, MsMPEng.exe is an important part of the built-in security software of Microsoft Windows computers, usually called Windows Security or Windows Defender.
MsMpEng.exe is responsible for scanning files for malicious software because they will be downloaded to the computer. It also runs regular scans to detect harmful software, spyware, viruses, and other types of harmful programs. Generally, once the Windows Security Center completes its scanning activities, the high CPU usage of MsMpEng.exe should automatically drop to a normal level.
If you often notice that the CPU usage of MsMpEng.exe is too high and affects the overall performance of your computer, you can use the troubleshooting steps provided below to solve the problem.
Disable automatic sample submission
Disabling the “Automatically submit samples” option in Windows Security should help reduce the CPU usage of programs on your computer.
Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection. On the next screen, scroll down and click on Manage Settings Link located under “Virus & threat protection settings”.
On the next screen, scroll down and disable Automatic sample submission.
If required, you can always submit files manually to Microsoft by clicking on Submit a sample manually link.
Disable real-time protection
After disabling the “Real-time Protection” feature in Windows Security, you should be able to immediately see the improvement of your computer’s functions.
Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > scroll down and click on Manage Settings Link located under “Virus & threat protection settings”. On the next screen, turn OFF Real-Time Protection.
Restart your computer and you should now find it running better than before.
Prevent Windows Defender from scanning its own directories
Another way to reduce high CPU and RAM usage through the MsMpEng.exe program is to prevent the program from scanning its own directory.
Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > scroll down and click on Manage Settings Link located under “Virus & threat protection settings”. On the next screen, scroll down to “Exclusions” section > click on Add or remove exclusions link.
On the next screen, click on Add an Exclusion and select the Folder option. On next screen, navigate to C: Program Files > Windows Defender and click on Select Folder button.
Restart your computer and you should be able to see an improvement in its overall functioning.
Permanently disable Windows Defender in Windows 10
If your computer is still affected by high CPU usage, you need to consider disabling the Windows security program from your device.
The easiest way to disable the Windows security program is to install Norton Antivirus or any other third-party antivirus software program on your computer.
You can also Disable Windows Security by opening Registry Editor (Open Run Command > type Regedit and click on OK). Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender and Double-click on DisableAntiSpyware entry in the right-pane.
You can re-enable Windows Defender on your computer at any time by changing the value data from 1 to 0.
Note: If you cannot find the DWORD named “DisableAntiSpyware”, you must create a new DWORD and name the DWORD “DisableAntiSpyware” and set its value data to 1.
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