Is the Antimalware Service Executable Hogging Your Memory? Here’s How to Turn It Off
What Is the Antimalware Service Executable?
You’re likely to be already familiar with using Windows Security (previously Microsoft Defender). Windows Security is a reliable antivirus that is installed for Windows 10 and 11. Its Antimalware Service Executable (you may see it identified in the Task Manager as MsMpEng.exe in the Task Manager) is a fundamental component of Windows Security.
The service will ensure that your PC is protected from all worms, viruses, and other malware, by constantly searching for programs and files that run on your computer as it runs in the background. When you run the Antimalware Service Executable detects an infected program or file that is malicious, it will remove or block those files.
Should You Disable the Antimalware Service Executable?
Given how crucial this Antimalware Service Executable can be to secure your computer, you may be asking yourself what the reason for turning it off is.
Defender’s Offline ScanningIf you don’t have an antivirus program from a third party installed on your system, Windows Security is your sole security against potentially harmful malware. If your computer is with no third-party antivirus software installed and the Antimalware Service Executable will automatically activate it and starts protecting your computer as part of Windows Security.
In general, you shouldn’t disable this Antimalware Service Executable process. But if you’ve got a trusted third-party antivirus, however, and Antimalware Service Executable is still using a lot of your CPU or RAM and CPU, it may be beneficial to turn it off.
How to Disable the Antimalware Service Executable
There are many ways to disable this Antimalware Service Executable depending on the specifics of the system’s performance.
Method 1: Disable Real-time Protection
In the event that you discover an Antimalware Service Executable process consuming many system resources in some instances and, in this case you can stop real-time malware protection by using Windows Security:
- Go towards the Start menu, type in Windows Security and choose the most appropriate match.
- Click on the section Virus and Threat Protectionfrom on the right sidebar.
- Look for Setting up threat and virus protection Click on Setup settings Option underneath.
- Turn off this real-time security toggle by moving this button to an off position.
Real-time security is turned off at the onset of Windows Security.
Method 2: Disable Windows Security in the Registry Editor
If you are looking for an alternative to disable this Antimalware Service Executable, you need to disabling Windows Security from the Registry Editor.
