How to Fix High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable 5 Quick ways

Antimalware Service Executable high CPU usage issue is one of the more important issues related to Windows 10/11. We know, it is an integral part of Windows Defender and runs in the background for executing multiple tasks related to Windows Security i.e. it detects malware, viruses, and malicious codes, and updates your antivirus program.

 Today in our post, we will discuss the reasons why Antimalware Service Executable started to show high CPU usage. And how can we fix it? When Antimalware Service Executable started to consume a lot of memory resources, the result was low performance and even the crash of the system as well.

What is the Reason for Showing High Disk Usage by Antimalware Service Executable?

As we mentioned above, Antimalware Service execution is an intensive process of CPU. It works reliably in the background without creating any increase in disk usage. But sometimes it starts to show an error message that can result in an increase in CPU usage and draining of PC resources. It means that it is negatively impacting the performance. Here are some common reasons that can cause the issue on Widows 10/11 PCs.

• Windows Defender files are corrupted

• The task frequency of Antimalware Service Executable is growing higher.
• The Windows Defender overlaps with other antivirus program
• Attack of malware
• Outdated or bad updates of Windows

How to Fix High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable

We will discuss some simple and authentic methods to avoid the issue of showing high disk usage by Antimalware Service Executable.

Method 1: Use Manually Scanning Process to fix High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable

Open Windows Search by pressing Windows + S.

Type Windows Security in the search box, and hit the Enter key.

From the left side panel click on the Virus & Threat Protection tab.

Select the Full Scan option from the two; Full Scan and Quick Scan.

You can use any third-party anti-virus program such as Malwarebytes for the purpose, but you have to disable the Windows Security Defender.

Microsoft Safety Scanner is also a big wizard offered by Microsoft that you can use for detecting viruses.

Use any of them to scan your system entirely and fix the issue of showing high disk usage.

Method 2: Turn Off Real-time Protection to fix High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable

Reduce the high disk usage by Antimalware Service Executable with the help of turning off the real-time protection. Follow the given steps.

Open the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R.

Type taskschd.msc in the Run utility, and hit the Enter key.

Select Windows Defender from a drop-down list, and pen it by double-clicking.

Right-click on Windows Defender Scheduled Scan from the right side panel, and select Properties from the Context menu.

Click on the General tab from the Properties window, and toggle to turn off the Run with highest privileges option.

Similarly, uncheck all boxes while navigating to the Conditions tab.

Select New while clicking on the Triggers tab and you can also customize the frequency, scan time, and date of scan from the Triggers window.

Finally, click on the OK button, and restart your PC.

Method 3: Use Local Group Policy Editor to Turn Off Windows Defender

You can turn off Windows Defender to fix the issue of Antimalware Service Executable High CPU usage, but you have to install a strong third-party anti-virus program first. Follow the given steps;

 Open the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R.

Type gpedit.msc in the Run utility, and hit the Enter key.

Expand Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates> Windows Components from the left pane of the Local Group Editor Window.

Select Windows Defender Antivirus from the drop-down menu.

Double-click the Turnoff Windows Defender Antivirus option from the right side pane.

A new window will appear to select the Enabled option.

Click on Apply and next on the OK button.

Restart your PC.

Method 4: Add Antimalware Service Executable to Exclusion List

You can prevent Windows from auto-running after the closing process with the help of adding the Antimalware Service Executable to the exclusion list. Follow the given steps.

Open your PC, and head to the Security option to select Virus & Threat Protection from the left side.

Select Manage Settings under the Virus and Threat Protection section.

Select ADD/Remove exclusions while scrolling down to the bottom, click on the Add an Exclusion button, and give permission if you are asked for.

From Task Manager, select Antimalware Service Executable process from under the Processes.

Enter the file name for running the process i.e. MSMPEng.exe.

Click on the Add option, and save changes by clicking on the OK button.

Restart your PC, and check if the High CPU Usage by Antimalware Services Executable has been fixed or not. 

Method 5: Disable Antispyware to Fix High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable

Windows Insiders community members have discovered this particular issue. You can fix it from Registry Editor by following the given steps;

Open your PC, Press Windows + R to open the Run utility.

Type Registry Editor in the search box, and Run it as administrative.

From the left window pane, navigate to the folder structure by typing the following command

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Locate the Antimalware Service Executable program from the right window pane, right-click on any empty space, and click on New and next DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Select any file press F2 to rename it as Disable Antispyware, and open it by double-clicking.

Enter Value data such as 1.

Click on the Save Changes option, reboot your system, and check if the issue of High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable is fixed or not.

Bottom Lines

So friends, as we mentioned, the Antimalware Services Executable is the intensive program of Windows Defender. It works in the background to make everything protected related to your system. But, sometimes you receive a pop-up error of High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable. You can resolve it by following the instructions given above. Select the method that better suits you, select it, and apply it to sort out your error.

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