What Is Antimalware Service Executable? How to Fix High CPU & Memory Usage in Windows 10

Windows 10 Slow? Antimalware Service Executable High Memory Fix Guide

⚠️ Is Windows Defender slowing down your PC? This simple fix reduced CPU usage instantly.

In this content, I will answer the question "what is the Antimalware Service Executable?" and show you step-by-step how I resolved the high CPU and memory usage caused by the Antimalware Service Executable (Windows Defender process engine) in Windows 10.

What is an Antimalware Service Executable? Why does it use a lot of resources? (A brief explanation of the problem)

The Antimalware Service Executable is Windows Defender's real-time scanning engine. This process (usually appearing as MsMpEng.exe) scans files and processes in the background. Large file scans, full system scans in the background, update processes, or conflicts with specific software can cause increased CPU and memory usage. This high usage slows down the computer. The solution is usually a small change in scan settings and exclusions.

How to fix high memory issues on your computer?

• Type " Windows Security " in the search bar of the Start menu and open the application that appears.

• Go to the " Virus and threat protection " section.

• Open “ Virus and threat protection settings ” and click on “ Manage settings ”.

• Scroll down to the “ Exclusions ” section and select “ Add or remove exclusions .” Grant administrator permission when prompted.

• You can add an exclusion by going to " Add exclusion " > " File " and using the file explorer on your computer.

• C:\Program Files\Windows Defender

• Select and add the MsMpEng.exe file from within this folder.

After attaching the file, restart your computer. Following the restart, you can expect a significant reduction in memory and CPU usage by the Antimalware Service Executable.

Note

This method excludes Windows Defender's own process file. This may affect some aspects of protection. Be aware of the risks of file exclusion before taking this step. If you are unsure, consider alternative solutions.

Alternative and Complementary Solutions

Change the timing of scheduled scans: Schedule full system scans for hours when the computer is not actively being used.

• Review your real-time scanning settings: Disabling unnecessary deep scan options can reduce resource usage.

• Keep Windows updates and virus definition files up to date: Outdated definitions can sometimes lead to erroneous behavior.

• Using third-party security software: If you're using an alternative antivirus, consider disabling Windows Defender to avoid conflicts.

For advanced situations, modifying Defender settings via group policy or the registry requires expertise. Only experienced users or administrators should perform these steps.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This guide answers the question "what is an antimalware service executable?" and shows a simple exclusion method to reduce high memory/CPU usage. After following the steps, restart your computer and check the performance. If the problem persists, try alternative solutions or seek professional help.

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