If you are reading this article then you must have seen the Antimalware Service Executable in your task manager. You’ve probably found out that it is probably eating up your RAM, subsequently making your PC slower. If you were thinking it was a virus, then you thought wrong.
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What is Antimalware Service Executable?
Antimalware Service Executable is part of windows defender, which is Windows’ own Antivirus built-in into Windows 10. It is also known as MsMpEng.exe. It is charged with detecting malware and spyware that may be on your PC. Just like every other software on your PC, it requires enough RAM to run in the background.
However, the Antimalware Service Executable requires not only enough RAM but also enough CPU Power to function properly. This is probably why it is automatically set to run mostly when your PC has been idle for some time. You can turn it off though but that will leave your PC vulnerable to malware and spyware attacks. If you still want to turn it off then Follow the instructions below.
How To Fix ‘Antimalware Service Executable’ High CPU/Disk Usage On Windows
There are two ways to go about this and we will take our time to lay down the procedure for all three methods one after the other.
Method 1 – By Changing Windows Defender’s Schedule
- Press the Windows/Start Button and the Letter R Button on your Keyboard Simultaneously.
A Menu Will Pop Up. In the space provided, Input the following – Taskschd.msc and Hit Ok.
Double-Click On Task Scheduler >> Microsoft >> Windows.
Scroll Down the Widows Sub-menu and Double-Click on Windows Defender. Now Double-Click On Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.
In General, Uncheck Run With Highest Privileges.
Click on Conditions and Uncheck everything then hit Ok.
That will reduce the CPU Usage of the Antimalware Service Executable on your Windows PC and evidently fix the problem.
Method 2 – Add Antimalware Service Executable To The Exclusion List Of Windows Defender
- On your Keyboard, Press the Windows Button and “I” Simultaneously. Alternatively, you can access the Settings Menu by Clicking On the Windows Logo at the bottom left corner and Choose Settings.
Click on Update and Security.
Select Windows Defender and Click on Add An Exclusion under Exclusions.
Click on Exclude a .exe, .com or .scr process.
Input MsMpEng.exe and Tap Ok.
That should Exclude the Antimalware Service Executable from running in the background and subsequently fix the problem.
The two methods above should fix the problem but you should know that your PC may now be vulnerable. That is if you have no other Antivirus software installed and depended on Windows Defender’s Antimalware Service Executable to protect your PC from spyware and malware.
PC Still Slow?
If your PC is still slow even after following the steps above then you might want to update your drivers. Finding the drivers that need updating and updating them one by one might be tasking. This is why I’ll recommend Driver Easy which makes it easy to update your drivers.
Simply Download the software, Run it and let it find the necessary drivers that need updating, then Update them. The Software is pretty straightforward and easy to use.
Conclusion
This how to stop Antimalware Service Executable from using almost all of your CPU/Disk storage on your Windows PC. Do not forget to let us know if the methods above worked for you by leaving a comment down below.
