Windows 10: Antimalware taking up a lot of RAM and disk space

I was checking task manager and my antimalware started taking up a lot of RAM and disk space and I couldn't run any applications. I ran windows defender offline scan and it still went on. What do I do?

:)

 

Antimalware Service Executable hogging up a lot of RAM.

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are facing high RAM usage issue due to Antimalware Service Executable.



It is one of the background-running services in Windows Defender. Antimalware Service Executable is running to scan the malware and spyware when you access them. It will detect if there’s anything harmful on your PC Aside from that, it also takes a
background scan of your system for any viruses or worms. Its scanning relies heavily on your computer’s CPU, that’s why you find it’s eating the CPU usage on your Windows 10.



To get this sorted, I suggest to follow the steps below:



Method 1:

1. Press Windows key + R, to open
   Run dialog box.
2. Type taskschd.msc and click on OK.

1. Now expand Task Scheduler Library >
   Microsoft > Windows
   
2. Select Windows Defender and on the right hand pane double-click on
   Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.
   
3. Under General tab, uncheck the box next to
   Run with highest privileges.
   
4. Select Conditions tab, uncheck all the items and click on
   OK.
   

Method 2:



Add Antimalware Service Executable to Windows Defender exclusion list.

1. Press Windows + I keys together to open
   Settings.
   
2. Click on Update &
   Security and select Windows Security.
   
3. Now click on Open Windows
   Security.
   
4. Click on Virus & threat protection
   
5. Under Virus & threat protection settings click on
   Manage settings.
   
6. Scroll down and look for Exclusions and select
   Add or remove exclusions.
   
7. Click on Add an exclusion and select
   Process.
   
8. Type MsMpEng.exe and click on
   Add.
   

Restart the PC and check if the RAM usage is high.



Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

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