Windows 10: Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service - high CPU usage

Hello,

My laptop has Windows 10 64 bit installed. It's an AMD A8 with a Radeon graphics card.

Task Manager shows Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service uses about %30 CPU. It happens about every 40-60 seconds,lasts for about 10. This started relatively recently (not after any upgrades/updates)

I followed the instructions written here to no avail: Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service - Microsoft Community

Scans (Windows defender, malwarebytes and Microsoft Safety Scanner) said the computer is clean. The problem does not happen in Safe Mode, but does happen after a clean boot. Currently have no office programs installed (will have them soon though). Winodws updates are most recent.

Apparently you can disable the service via regedit and the problem goes away, but it then causes another problem: I then have a "Windows is not activated" showing on my screen at all times. Regardless I would rather solve this by some other means if possible.

Appreciate any help.

:)

 

Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service

I just finished a complete virus can using Windows Defender.

I started the complete scan because Microsoft Software Protection Platform was already running high (I am averaging 40% or higher).

Since Microsoft Software Protection Platform was already taking up such a chunk (and its Antimalware Service Executable is taking another 30% to 40%), it took Windows Defender 2 full days to complete. During this time, my PC was next to useless.

Windows Defender completed about 4 hours ago, and both Microsoft Software Protection Platform and it's buddy Antimalware Service Executable are still each taking 30% to 40% of the CPU usage.

What is going on? Should this eventually stop or do I need to look into ways to stop these processes from crippling my system?

 

Software Protection Platform Service & Antimalware Service Executable CPU Usage

Thank you ErwinJames for the response but I have to ask: Did you actually read my post?

I stated quite clearly that I have done a Clean Install of Windows, updated through Microsoft, scanned with Defender, did a Clean Boot and scanned with Defender again... there are no third party programs running! Only Windows 10 and whatever it decides to
install/run on its own.

No user accounts are corrupted, no websites were contacted, nothing else installed... that screenshot of mine is from a freshly installed/updated version of Windows 10!

Also, as I stated several times, I have gone through all the old posts from Microsoft about this and have methodically tried every solution (well, "work-around" is more accurate) that was offered. Creating a new User Account was one of those, as was the
Task Scheduler "solution".

I DID install Avast! Premier Antivirus and thankfully shutdown my Windows Defender, so the hated Antimalware Service Executable is no longer an issue.

However, even as I type this to you, the Software Protection Platform Service is happily eating up 37% of my CPU and not a thing is running but Windows and this fresh install of Chrome (no add-ons and downloaded from
the official site).

Again, thank you for the reply but it is simply another in a long line of do-nothing attempts at a work-around

Just fix it!