If you are one of those users who are unaware of the fact that Windows 10 has a built-in security program that protects it from viruses and real-time threats, this blog is for you.

But apart from protecting the windows it also takes a toll on the power consumption, more than it is designed to consume. It also reduces the computer’s speed to a certain extent. 

If you are also struggling with this issue, here are a few steps that will better help you to resolve this problem of antimalware service executable using a high percentage of your CPU. But before we fix the antimalware service executable issue, let us know more about it.

What Is The Antimalware Service Executable?

For those of you who use the windows defender program, you must be familiar with the antimalware service executable process.

Open the windows task manager, now press (Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc or press Start Menu and then click Task Manager). You can find a process by the name of antimalware service executable; this process helps to keep an eye on viruses and other real-time threats.

Reasons For High Memory Usage By Antimalware Service Executable

• A full system scan may slow down your computer since during the scan it accesses and does a complete inspection of all of your computer files. To do so it uses all resources of your CPU which further results in you experiencing delays and all sorts of other interruptions.

• The fact that it uses all the resources is pretty normal, but not if it consumes way too much power for a long period. The program may also annoy you at times by running a full scan while you're in the midst of an urgent task or a routine browsing session.

Methods To Fix Antimalware Service Executable Using High Memory 

1. Adjust the windows defender’s schedule-The problem usually occurs when the system is undergoing a full scan. To prevent that from happening you can schedule the scan time yourself. Follow the steps given below to alter the scan schedule.

• Press the Windows key and R to launch the run box; now type taskschd.msc and press enter.

• Double-tap on the task scheduler library>Microsoft>windows.

• Now, from the list, double-tap on the windows defender and then click on windows defender scheduled scan.

• Now, open the properties of windows defender scheduled scan and uncheck the option of run with the highest privileges.

• Now, go to the conditions section and uncheck all the options.

• Now, click ok.

• To create new scans, move to triggers, and click on new.

• Now you can create a new schedule as per your needs.

2. Add ASE to execution list-The problem arises as ASE checks every file during the scan including itself. To prevent it from scanning itself, use the steps given below;

• Open the settings option, then press the Windows key and I together.

• Now, click on the update and security option to proceed with the exclusion.

• Now, click on the windows defender.

• For the exclusions heading, use the Add an exclusion option.

• Now, click on Exlcude a .exe, .com or .scr process.

• Type MsMpEng.exe in the given space and then click ok.

      3.  Disable windows defender from the registry editor-Before you move forward with this solution, make sure to install an effective antivirus else your system will be vulnerable to threats.

• Press the Windows key and R together to launch the run box.

• Type Regedit and click ok. The registry will open now.

• Now, double click the folders in the navigation pane on the left.

• If you see a registry entry by the name of Disableantispyware, set its value to 1 by double-tapping on it.

• If you don’t find any registry, right-click in the main registry editor pane.

• Create a new registry by selecting New > DWORD (32 bit) value.

• Name this entry Disableantispyware and set its data value. 

       4. Disable windows defender-Follow these steps to disable the windows defender;

• Go to the settings of windows by pressing the Windows key and I  key together.

• Click on the update and security option.

• Select windows defender from the menu and then click on Open Windows Defender Security Center.

• Now, click on the virus and threat protection option.

• Disable real-time protection from there to disable the windows defender.

5. Delete windows defender directory-You can prevent the high CPU usage by antimalware by deleting the windows defender directory. Here are the steps to do it;

• Go to C: program files directory and check for the windows defender folder.

• Delete its directory by taking ownership of the windows defender.

Before using this method, make sure that you have created a backup of all the files so you can restore everything whenever you want.

These methods will help you to prevent your system’s defender program from using too much power and resources. If these steps don’t fix the issue for you, you may contact help and support services.