Microsoft Antimalware is antivirus software that protects your system against malware attacks.

Find out how to disable antimalware service executable and fix a high CPU / memory usage

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  • The Antimalware Service Executable is a Windows Defender process from Windows 10.

  • If this service uses too many resources, you can stop it using the Registry Editor.

  • You can also stop this task by using a built-in command-line tool from your OS.

  • Installing a third-party antivirus can bypass this problem altogether, so give it a try.

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  • Intuitive setup and UI

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  • Low system requirements

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An antivirus program needs to be fast, efficient, and cost-effective, and this one has them all.

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This tool uses the same virus definitions and scanning engine as other Microsoft antivirus products, constantly monitoring activities on your computer.

Microsoft Antimalware installs a series of files on your system to protect your computer against threats.

Sometimes, the tool harms users’ system performance, which determines them to uninstall it.

However, they soon realize this is not an easy task because there always seems to remain a hidden file running in the background.

The Antimalware Service Executable, MsMpEng.exe runs even after users removed Microsoft’s AV tools, often leading to high CPU usage.

Why is antimalware service executable always running?

Antimalware Service Executable is associated with Microsoft Defender, and many Windows 10 users reported issues with this process.

I don’t want an antimalware. […] So far I tried turning off Windows Defender, but the process is still running. My last resort would be deleting MsMpEng.exe from C:\Program Files\Windows Defender.

If I try to end it from Task Manager, it says The operation could not be completed… Access is denied. I really do not want it running and I feel that it is slowing down my computer. How can I turn it off?

It is designed to operate in the background so that it can scan files and applications at varying intervals. When a virus or other harmful attack is found, the executable will either delete it or put it in quarantine.

Speaking of cases, these are some common problems that users reported:

  • Antimalware Service Executable causes high memory and memory leak – Many users reported memory issues due to this service. To fix the problem, it’s advised to disable Microsoft Defender and check if that solves the issue.
  • Antimalware Service Executable high disk usage – Several users reported high CPU and disk usage due to this error. However, you can fix the issue simply by installing a third-party antivirus.
  • Antimalware Service Executable issues on Windows 8.1 and 7 – This process can affect Windows 8.1 and 7. Still, even if you’re not using Windows 10, you should be able to fix the problem with one of our solutions.
  • Antimalware Service Executable running all the time, slowing down computer – Many users reported that this service keeps running all the time on their PC. However, you should be able to fix that using one of our solutions.
  • Antimalware Service Executable can’t end task – If you can’t complete this task on your PC, you’ll have to disable or delete Microsoft Defender to solve the problem.
  • Disable antimalware service executable in Windows 11, 10, server 2019 – The methods below are applicable in all Windows iterations, so make sure to refer to them.
  • Disable antimalware service executable causes high CPU – Follow the solutions below to permanently disable this process.

Should I disable antimalware service executable?

Remember that if you don’t install any additional antivirus software, Windows Defender is the only thing that will protect your computer from malicious software. So you should disable the service if it is causing you trouble, but purchase or install additional antivirus protection.

What happens if I disable antimalware? If you disable msmpeng.exe, your computer is more likely to become infected with digital viruses that, had it not been disabled, would have been dealt with in the background in a more discrete manner.

How do I permanently disable antimalware service executable?

1. Disable Microsoft Defender

1.1 Disable antimalware service executable using Regedit

If you find that you can’t access the Registry Editor, you can follow the practical steps below that will surely help you to disable this service. 

  • Why is antimalware service executable always running?

  • Should I disable antimalware service executable?

  • How do I permanently disable antimalware service executable?

    1. Disable Microsoft Defender

  • 1.1 Disable antimalware service executable using Regedit

  • 1.2 Disable Microsoft Defender using Command Prompt

  • 1.3 Disable Microsoft Defender using Settings

    1. Use Group Policy Editor
    1. Install a third-party antivirus
    1. Delete the Microsoft Defender folder
    1. Stop the Windows Defender service
    1. Disable scheduled tasks

  • Click on the Windows search option in the Start menu, type Regedit, right-click the option and choose Open as administrator.

  1. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Policies/Microsoft/Windows Defender

  2. Right-click on Windows Defender, select New, and choose DWORD.

  3. Double-click the newly created DWORD, name it DisableAntiSpyware, and set the value to 1.

If you’re not too fond of Registry Editor, you can disable Mircosoft Defender using Command Prompt. In addition, by using Command Prompt, you can change your registry with just a single line of code.

1.2 Disable Microsoft Defender using Command Prompt

  • Search for cmd in Windows and click on Run as administrator to start Command Prompt with full privileges.
  • When Command Prompt opens, run the following command and press Enter: REG ADD “hklm\software\policies\microsoft\windows defender” /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

After running this command, your registry will be modified, and Microsoft Defender will be disabled.

Using the command line to disable Microsoft Defender is a faster method, and if you’re an advanced user, you might want to try it out.

Some users have reported that they can’t access Command Prompt as an administrator, which will stop them from making fundamental changes to their system.

1.3 Disable Microsoft Defender using Settings

  • Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  • From the menu on the left select Windows Security.
  • Now in the right pane, click on Open Windows Security.
  • A new window will now appear. Select Virus & threat protection.
  • Choose Virus & threat protection settings.
  • Disable Real-time protection. If you want, you can also disable all other options on this page.

If you’re having problems with Antimalware Service Executable, you might be able to solve them by disabling Microsoft Defender.

After that, Microsoft Defender will be disabled, and you won’t have any more problems with Antimalware Service Executable.

This solution implies using the Settings app, but some users have complained on online forums that they can’t access the app at all.

2. Use Group Policy Editor

  • Press Windows Key + R and enter gpedit.msc. Now press Enter or click OK. This will start the Group Policy Editor.
  • In the left pane, navigate to the following key: Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Microsoft Defender Antivirus/Real-time Protection
  • In the right pane, double click on Turn off real-time protection.
  • Select Enabled and click on Apply and OK to save the changes.

After that, Microsoft Defender will be disabled and Antimalware Service Executable.

It’s also worth mentioning that this solution will disable antivirus protection on your PC so that it will remain vulnerable. Therefore, you should use this method only as a temporary solution to protect your PC.

3. Install a third-party antivirus

Antimalware Service Executable is a process closely related to Microsoft Defender.

However, Microsoft Defender won’t run side by side with a third-party antivirus, so if you’re having problems with Antimalware Service Executable, you might want to install a third-party antivirus.

Many great antivirus tools are available on the market, but the best solution is to choose a good antivirus with the most negligible resource impact.

The tool recommended below is probably the best low-resource Antivirus. Choosing this Antivirus will reduce CPU load and help your system achieve its highest performance.

It utilizes cloud processing to protect PC, removing the need for heavy software updates and demanding scans.

After you install a third-party antivirus, Microsoft Defender will automatically turn itself off, and your problem should be resolved.

4. Delete the Microsoft Defender folder

  • Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer.
  • Navigate to the C:\Program Files directory and locate the Microsoft Defender folder.
  • Take ownership of the Windows Defender folder.
  • Now delete the Windows Defender directory.

According to users, they managed to fix the problem with Antimalware Service Executable simply by deleting the Windows Defender folder.

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We have to mention that Microsoft Defender is a core component of Windows, and by deleting it, you can cause other issues to appear, so you’re deleting this directory at your own risk.

Before you delete the directory, it’s a good idea to create a backup of your files and a System Restore point so that you can quickly restore your PC if anything goes wrong.

After removing this folder, Microsoft Defender will be deleted from your PC, and your issue should be resolved.

Remember that Windows Update will install Microsoft Defender after every update, so you’ll need to repeat this process.

Deleting core Windows components is a risky solution intended for advanced users, and we’re not responsible for any new issues that can appear after deleting the Windows Defender folder.

As we mentioned already, to delete the folder, you first have to take ownership of the Windows Defender folder.

If you’re unsure how to create a restore point and how that would help you, having clear information is of paramount importance.

5. Stop the Windows Defender service

  • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Now enter services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
  • The Services window will now appear. Double click the Windows/Microsoft Defender Antivirus to open its properties.
  • Set the Startup type to Automatic and click the Stop button to stop the service.
  • Now click Apply and OK to save the changes.

If you’re having problems with Antimalware Service Executable, you might be able to solve the issue simply by disabling the Microsoft Defender service.

After you disable this service, the problem should be resolved entirely, and things should return to normal.

6. Disable scheduled tasks

  • Press Windows Key + S and enter task scheduler. Now choose Task Scheduler from the menu.
  • In the left pane, navigate to Task Scheduler Library, select Microsoft, then Windows, and choose Windows Defender.
  • In the right pane, you should see 4 tasks available. Select all four tasks and disable them. Some users suggest deleting them, so you might want to try that.

Once you disable these tasks, the problem with Antimalware Service Executable should be resolved entirely.

For Windows Defender to work correctly, specific tasks had to be scheduled, which can cause problems with Antimalware Service Executable. However, you can fix the issue simply by disabling the planned tasks.

If Task Scheduler is not your ideal option, look at our selection with the best task scheduler software and choose another.

We hope our solutions helped you learn how to stop the Antimalware Service Executable and fix this problem for good.

Even if you turn off Antimalware Service Executable, don’t leave your system unprotected. You can use any antivirus software options from the best antivirus with an unlimited license list.

For more suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to check them out.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

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