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How do I fix Antimalware Service Executable high cpu, ram and disk usage

megh pranav 70 Reputation points
2026-02-05T13:17:23.4033333+00:00

I tried everything to fix this problem but it just wont go away
i tried
1.Creating a exclutions for MsMpEng.exe in windows defender
2.Disabling some things in task scheduler

But it just wont go what should i do?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
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  1. David Haugen 0 Reputation points
    2026-05-12T21:23:03.5+00:00

    I am having this same issue and cannot find a solution anywhere. Furthermore, I cannot figure out why access is denied when I try to stop the process. This is my personal home PC that I bought and my account says I am the administrator.

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  2. David-M 114.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-05T13:53:31.04+00:00

    Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

    Please clarify the following:

    • Have you ever had any third-party antivirus software installed? If yes, which one?
    • Do the CPU/disk spikes happen constantly, or only during certain times?
    • Did you recently install any new software, especially from unverified sources?
    • Have you run a secondary scan with another trusted tool (like Microsoft Safety Scanner or Malwarebytes)?

    I await your reply.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-02-05T13:17:36.9066667+00:00

    To address high CPU, RAM, and disk usage caused by the Antimalware Service Executable (MsMpEng.exe), you can try the following steps:

    1. Check for Scheduled Scans: Ensure that a scheduled scan is not currently running, as this can cause high resource usage. You can check this in Task Manager under the Details tab.
    2. Use Process Monitor: Run Process Monitor (ProcMon) during the CPU spike for about five minutes. This tool can help identify what is causing the high resource usage. Review the log for clues.
    3. Add Exclusions: Based on your findings from ProcMon, consider adding exclusions for specific processes, files, or folders that are causing the issue. You can use the following PowerShell commands:
      • Set-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Path\To\Folder"
      • Set-MpPreference -ExclusionExtension ".ext"
      • Set-MpPreference -ExclusionProcess "C:\Path\To\Process.exe"
    4. Check for Unsigned Binaries: If there are binaries that are not digitally signed, they can trigger real-time protection scans. Consider signing these binaries or reaching out to the vendor for signed versions.
    5. Use Performance Analyzer: If the issue persists, run the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Performance Analyzer to help identify the cause of high CPU usage.
    6. Consider Other Software Conflicts: Ensure that other software is not conflicting with Microsoft Defender. Check with vendors for known issues and consider adding exclusions for those applications as well.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to explore additional troubleshooting methods or consult Microsoft support for further assistance.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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