8 Ways to Solve MsMpEng.exe High CPU Usage on Your PC

This MsMpEng.exe is an integral part of Windows Security. It is conventionally known as Windows Defender. It scans your computer for different threats, from viruses to spyware, then makes the correct fix or fix available. Sometimes, MsMpEng exe may consume a high CPU.

In this guide, we will explain what MsMpEng.exe is, why it consumes too much CPU and different ways to put it to an end. Let’s go!

How do I disable MsMpEng exe and reduce high CPU usage?

1. Use Task Manager

1. Press the ctrl + shift + esc keys to open the Task Manager.
   
2. Then, open the Details tab to verify that MsMpEng.exe is responsible for high CPU usage.
   

2. Exclude Windows Defender directory from scannable directories

1. In the search box, search for Windows Security.
   
2. Click on the relevant search result to open the application. Now click Virus & threat protection.
   
3. Press on Virus & threat protection.
4. Then, click the Manage settings link below Virus & threat protection settings.
   
5. After that, scroll down and select Add or Remove exclusions under Exclusions.
   
6. Once the next option reveals, click Add an exclusion and select Folder.
   
7. Then, select the following path:
   C:Program files\Windows defender
8. Finally, confirm the change by clicking Exclude this folder.

3. Limit Windows Defender’s CPU usage

1. Press the ctrl + shift + esc keys to open the Task Manager.
   
2. Then, open the Details tab to find MsMpEng.exe.
   
3. When you find it, right-click on it and select Set affinity.
   
4. Finally, select the cores you permit the particular process to use.

4. Start your PC in Safe Mode

1. Click the Power icon on the login screen, hold Shift, and select Restart accordingly.
   
2. Choose Troubleshoot from the next menu options.
   
3. Once done, select Advanced options.
   
4. Afterward, click Advanced options to access other options. Now click Startup Settings.
   
5. After that is done, click Restart.
   
6. Press 5 on your keyboard to start Safe Mode with Networking.
   

5. Disable real-time protection

1. Press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialog and enter taskschd.msc and click OK to open the Task Scheduler app.
   
2. Once the Task Scheduler opens, expand the Task Scheduler Library, select Microsoft, then Windows.
   
3. Then, find and select Windows Defender.
   
4. After that, right-click on Windows Defender Scheduled Scan and choose Properties.
   
5. Under the General tab, uncheck the Run with highest privileges box.
6. Then, open the Conditions tab and ensure every checkbox there is unchecked.
   
7. Lastly, open Triggers tab and click New.
   
8. Finally, set the time on the New Trigger window you desire Windows Defender to conduct scans and select the frequency, date, and time. Click Ok. Then click Ok on the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan Properties window as well.
   
9. Restart your computer to effect the change.

6. Scan for Malware

1. In the search box, search for Windows Security.
   
2. Click on the relevant search result to open the application. Now click Virus & threat protection.
   
3. Afterward, click on the Scan options to view all available scans.
   
4. Choose the Full scan option and click the Scan now button to do a deep scan on your PC for viruses or malware.
   

7. Revert

1. Press the Windows + R keys together to open a Run dialog box. 
2. Next, enter cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously to launch the Command Prompt window with admin access.
   
3. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompts you, click Yes to allow admin access. 
4. Once the prompt window opens, enter the following command to remove every definition currently associated with Windows Defender:
   "%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN.exe" -RemoveDefinitions -All
   
5. Once the first command successfully processes, enter the second command and press Enter to update the fleet of virus signatures for Windows Defender:
   "%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MPCMDRUN.exe" -SignatureUpdate
   
6. Allow the second command to execute successfully, then restart your PC and open Task Manager to confirm if CPU consumption is reduced.

8. Use PowerShell

1. Press the Windows + R keys together to open a Run dialog box. 
2. Next, enter powershell, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously to launch the Windows PowerShell window with admin access.
   
3. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompts you, click Yes to allow admin access. 
4. Once the Windows PowerShell opens, enter or paste the following command to deactivate the Exploit Protection and prevent the process mitigation loop:
   powershell “ForEach($v in (Get-Command -Name \”Set-ProcessMitigation\”).Parameters[\”Disable\”].Attributes.ValidValues){Set-ProcessMitigation -System -Disable $v.ToString().Replace(\” \”, \”\”).Replace(\”`n\”, \”\”) -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue}”
   
5. Wait until the process executes fully.
6. Then restart your PC and open Task Manager to confirm if the CPU consumption is reduced.

What is msmpeng.exe?

Msmpeng.exe is the Microsoft antimalware program. It comes with the Windows 10 computer as a default antivirus program. It is responsible for scanning files, analyzing system activities, and monitoring the system for potential threats.

Msmpeng.exe is vital to the computer in various ways. They include:

• Standby protection: MSMpEng.exe protects against malware and other malicious software.
• Real-time protection: MSMpEng.exe is also responsible for providing real-time protection against new and existing threats.
• Automatic update: MSMpEng.exe is also responsible for automatically updating Windows Defender with the latest virus definitions and security patches.
• Notification function: MSMpEng.exe is also responsible for providing notifications to the user when a system scan is complete or a threat is detected.
• Cloud-based protection: MSMpEng.exe also provides cloud-based protection, which means it can access and share information with the cloud to provide additional protection against new threats.

With this importance, it is crucial that you take proper steps to ensure that you channel all effort to ensure that it works properly. Also, you must apply the fixes above to ensure high CPU consumption is averted.

Why is MsMpEng using so much CPU?

MsMpEng is a service that is part of the Windows Defender antivirus program. When running, it uses system resources to scan your computer for viruses and other malicious software. MsMpEng is likely using a lot of CPU because your computer is being scanned or performing an update.

Various reasons for CPU consumption may include:

• High System Usage: If you have a lot of applications and processes running on your computer, it can cause MsMpEng to use more CPU resources to protect your system from potential threats.
• Background Scanning: Windows Defender Antivirus performs regular background scans of your system to identify and remove threats. This scanning process can utilize many system resources and cause your CPU usage to spike.
• Automatic Scans: Windows Defender Antivirus will automatically perform regular scans to ensure your system is secure. This can cause MsMpEng to use a lot of CPU resources if you have a lot of applications running on your system.
• Malware or Virus Infection: If your system is infected with malware or a virus, Windows Defender Antivirus will use many CPU resources to remove the threat.

In conclusion, MsMpEng exe may use a high CPU. But its function is very vital to the operations of the computer. You may require disabling it sometimes to save the CPU. But do them safely with the recommendations in this guide.