Windows 10 is today the most widely used operating system on desktop computers. There are many third-party applications that we can install to maintain the proper functioning of the systems. However, there are also features that are built-in. In this article we are going to talk about the Antimalware Service Executable feature . We will explain why it is important and what its mission is in the Microsoft system.
Antimalware Service Executable, a Windows security feature
In Windows we can find different features that help us improve security. They are applications and functions that are integrated with the operating system itself. Also, as we know, we can install more additional programs in order to avoid problems that compromise the proper functioning.
One of those functions that we find is that of Antimalware Service Executable. Many users find it as one of the services that are running and may think that it is malware, some third party program, or any minor software. However none of that.
This is a very important security feature in Windows 10 . It is an official Microsoft program that makes sure to protect a computer that has its operating system. If we enter the Task Manager we will see it run as msmpeng.exe.
To enter here we have to click with the right button of the mouse on Start and click on Task Manager . A new window will automatically open where it shows us all the processes and applications that we have open at that moment in Windows. It is very useful to be able to detect malware as well. We can see possible suspicious functions that we do not know where they came from and whether or not it could be a problem.
As we can see, there it shows us a function called Antimalware Service Executable (msmpeng.exe). It can mislead many users because they consider it a threat or a useless function that is only consuming resources. However, as we have indicated, this is an important process for Windows security.
This feature is directly linked to Windows Defender . As we know, it is the antivirus that is integrated into Windows 10. A widely used tool that helps us protect systems to avoid security problems. We always recommend keeping it active and up-to-date.
Antimalware Service Executable is resource intensive
We wrote this article mainly to resolve the question regarding the consumption of resources by Antimalware Service Executable. Sometimes we can see that it is consuming a lot of memory and that could scare users. They might think that it is malware and that it can put your computer at risk.
But, as we have said, it is a function linked to Windows Defender . In case we see that it is consuming a lot of resources it is mainly due to a scan running in the background. It is tracking the equipment and looking for possible threats that may affect us.
Some users have reported that they have even seen this feature consuming 30% of the CPU. If this happens, it is more than likely that it is analyzing possible files that we have downloaded, some program that we have installed or any scheduled scan in search of security threats. It is not something that will affect the proper functioning of the system nor should we worry.
Perform analysis when the computer is idle
Generally, the Antimalware Service Executable function performs scans when the computer is idle. This way you avoid problems that can slow down use. Therefore, it should not pose a problem for users, except for specific cases in which we must start an application or process while this function has begun to execute a scan.
We can schedule or change when these tests are done. For this we have to execute the key combination Windows + R and we put taskschd.msc . Once here we click on Task Scheduler Library, we go to Microsoft, Windows and Windows Defender.
There we can enter Conditions . We can modify it so that it only runs when the equipment has been inactive for 10 minutes or stop it if the equipment is no longer inactive. This way we will avoid problems that could slow down the system, without having to close this process and put security at risk.
Ultimately, the Antimalware Service Executable function is important to maintain the security of our computer. We must always keep it active so that it performs a scan when necessary and thus prevent the entry of malware.