How to Reduce High CPU Usage by Antimalware Service Executable

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Is your computer running slow because Windows Defender is hogging 80% of your CPU? This often happens when the program is performing a full system scan or gets stuck in a loop. While Microsoft Defender plays a crucial role in keeping your system safe, excessive CPU usage can be frustrating. Here’s how to manage it effectively.

If you need a quick fix, you can temporarily turn off real-time protection:

Open Windows Security.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Select Manage settings.
Turn off Real-time protection.

This action should reduce your CPU usage immediately. However, keep in mind that this disables active protection, so only do this if you’re not online or you have another antivirus solution in place.

For a more permanent solution, you can use the Group Policy Editor:

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Navigate to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
Double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus and set it to Enabled.

This method effectively disables Microsoft Defender, preventing it from running unnecessary scans that slow down your computer.

For a thorough guide on disabling the antimalware service executable in Windows 10 and 11, check out this detailed resource.

By following these steps, you’ll regain better performance on your machine—making your work and leisure activities smoother and more enjoyable.