Windows Server 2019 Essentials Freezing due to Antivirus Software

Question

I am running windows server 2019 essentials evaluation edition (wanted to evaluate for at least 3months before purchasing a license). We have one server which is also the File server, AD, DHCP server and DNS server. I have Quickbooks 2014 and 2020 Database service in this server too. I have 12 workstations and Users in the Domain. Network speed is 1G.

Hardware
Dell Optiplex 7070 i7 8-core processor, 3TB HDD, 16GB RAM.

Problem
The server freezes when i install and use Quickheal Server edition Antivirus software. While going through the resource monitor, I noticed that during freezes, deferred procedure calls and interrupt server routines takes up more than 21% of CPU usage and above 130% maximum frequency. While working fine my CPU utilization is usually below 10% and below 100% maximum frequency.

During these freezes, Users are unable to access shared files and obviously Quickbooks aborts. As an administrator I can only access the server via remote desktop since the local server becomes totally unresponsive.

Is there a way to tune my server to work optimally with Quickheal (or any other antivirus) without these freezes?

Answer 1

I would contact the manufacturer of that 3rd party antivirus. Windows Server 2019 already includes antivirus, read: [What's new in Windows Server 2019 | Microsoft Learn][1]

[1]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/whats-new-19#windows-defender-advanced-threat-protection-atp so there is no need for 3rd party antivirus

You may want to excluded scanning for the Quickbooks file to see if that helps.

Answer 2

You may want to follow your AV vendor's best practices and see what they recommend specifically. Depending on the operation that the server is performing it may be best to exclude certain process and directories. Some applications require that real-time scanning be disabled and scheduled scans bee used outside of peak hours. Before implementing those changes I would consult the vendor and cross reference that with the operation of the server.

Answer 3

Hi,

The third-party software has some system requirements. Please use below link as reference and you can also get technical support there.
https://www.quickheal.com/home-users/quick-heal-home-server-antivirus#simple2

If there will be issue using this third party Antivirus software, we suggest you could use Windows Defender.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/user-help/turn-on-defender-windows

Thanks,
Eleven

Answer 4

Hi

I appreciate all your answers.

I had reached out to the AV Support. They shut down some services but it didnt help.

I have raised this issue with the Server forum because i transferred the AV license from Windows 2012 Essentials server which i was using before. The former server was not freezing despite having lower system capabilities. I suspect that there is something in windows Server 2019 which makes incompatible with the AV. my concern is that i might migrate to another AV such as Kaspersky and experience the same issues.

Concerning using defender, i am confortable with that, but am not the only decision maker in the firm. Those higher up in the food chain, believe in the use of a third party antivirus.

Thanks