How to Resolve Antimalware Service Executable Issues

Windows 10 is equipped with Windows Defender, a powerful antivirus solution that eliminates the need for third-party software like Avast or AVG. When it comes to Windows Defender, the Antimalware Service Executable, also known as MsMpEng.exe, plays a vital role. This service safeguards your computer against malware and viruses. However, it can consume a significant amount of processing power, leading to high CPU and RAM usage. Thankfully, there are several ways to alleviate this burden on your system.

Rescheduling Windows Defender

To begin, we can adjust the schedule of Windows Defender scans to reduce the impact on system resources. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type in taskschd.msc and hit Enter.

3. Double-click on Task Scheduler Library, then navigate to Microsoft and Windows.
4. Locate and double-click on Windows Defender, followed by the Windows Defender Schedule Scan.

5. Deselect the Run with privileges option.
6. In the Conditions Window, uncheck all the options and click OK.

Disabling Windows Defender

Please note that disabling Windows Defender means you should have an alternative antivirus solution in place to ensure your PC’s security. There are two methods you can use to turn off Windows Defender:

Method 1: Through Local Group Policy Editor

1. Launch the Run dialog box and enter gpedit.msc, then press Enter.

2. In the window that appears, navigate to Computer Configuration, followed by Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and finally, select Windows Defender.
3. Look for the Turn Off Windows Defender setting and double-click on it.
4. Choose the Enable option and click Apply.

Method 2: Through Registry

1. Open the Run dialog box and type in Regedit, then click OK.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender.
3. Search for the DisableAntiSpyware option and change its value to 1.

Adding Antimalware Executable to Windows Defender Exclusion List

This method prevents Windows Defender from scanning itself. Follow the steps below:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously to launch Task Manager.
2. Look for Antimalware Service Executable in the list of processes, right-click on it, and select Open File Location.
3. Copy the full path from the address bar.
4. Go to the Start menu and search for Windows Defender. Open Microsoft Defender from the search results.
5. Click on Virus and threat protection, then select Virus and threat protection settings.

6. Scroll down to the Exclusions section and click on Add or remove exclusions.
7. Choose the Add exclusion option and paste the copied path. Click Open to exclude the file from future scans.

Scanning for Malware

In some cases, malware attacks may be causing issues that result in high CPU usage by Windows Defender. To address this, it’s recommended to use a dedicated anti-malware program like Emsisoft to scan your PC for any potential threats.

Uninstalling Problematic Updates

If Windows Defender identifies a specific file type as a potential threat due to a recent update, you can remove that update using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd and press Shift + Ctrl + Enter to open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
3. Click Yes when prompted, then enter the following command: %PROGRAMFILES%Windows DefenderMPCMDRUN.exe” -RemoveDefinitions -All.

4. Next, enter the command: %PROGRAMFILES%Windows DefenderMPCMDRUN.exe” -SignatureUpdate.

Disabling Process Mitigations

This method involves stopping the Exploit Protection service, thereby reducing CPU load. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the following commands, one by one: powershell “ForEach($v in (Get-Command -Name ”Set-ProcessMitigation”).Parameters[”Disable”].Attributes.ValidValues){Set-ProcessMitigation -System -Disable $v.ToString().Replace(” ”, ””).Replace(”n”, ””) -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue}`.
3. Restart your computer after executing the commands.

Using an Alternative Anti-Virus

Consider trying another antivirus software, such as Malwarebytes, as an alternative to Windows Defender. This will disable Windows Defender while providing comprehensive virus protection through different services.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found this article helpful in addressing Windows Defender’s impact on your system resources. If none of the methods mentioned work, we recommend installing a reliable antivirus software. For any further assistance or queries, feel free to contact us at OnSpec Electronic, Inc..