Windows 10: Antimalware Service Executable - Scanning NAS

I have added exclusions for all mapped network drives from my NAS but Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service is constantly using significant network bandwidth. Is there any way to prevent this service from scanning network locations?


The OS is Windows 10 Pro, Version 10.0.19041.264


I have even tried enabling the "Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus" local group policy but it has had no effect.

:)

 

Antimalware Service Executable scans NAS drive

Hello,

I recently installed a NAS to my local network and for the past few days I have noticed that both my main Win10 PC and Win10 Laptop are constantly pulling information from my NAS, degrading the performance of the NAS. Using task manager I see that the culprit
is the Antimalware Service Executable. When I open up Windows Defender on either machine the pulling of information (60Mbps usually) stops for a time before going again.

Any idea as to why Windows Defender feels this need to look at my NAS and is there a way to stop this? My NAS already has a built in antivirus software, so there's not need for my machines to scan it. Mind you I have NOT mapped any drives.

Thanks!

 

Antimalware Service Executable scans NAS drive

Hi Thrawn,



Welcome to Microsoft Community and we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

Let me help you to fix the issue.



The issue you are facing could be due to the settings is not being set properly. Let’s try simple steps and check if this helps. Follow the below steps:

• 
  Type Windows defender on the Windows search bar.
  
• 
  Select Windows Defender and click on Settings.
  
• 
  Now click on Add an exclusion and click on
  Exclude a folder.
  
• 
  Select the NAS drive and click on
  Exclude this folder.
  
  
  

Hope this information helps, post us with the status we will be glad to assist you.

 

Antimalware Service Executable problem

I am still having the problem even with the latest prerelease build. The Antimalware Service Executable process is often running and taking a lot of CPU, disk and memory. The same The Antimalware Service Executable -> Windows Defender Service ...
Too often the PC (an I7 one, 8 GB EliteBook HP) is stuck and even the response of a keyboard entry is very slow!!

Any suggestions?