Windows Defender is a great tool for keeping our computers safe from malware and other threats.
If youre experiencing this issue, dont worry!
There are a few easy steps you’re free to take to fix it.
In this blog post, well show youhow to stop Windows Defender from consuming so much memory.
This will help identify any malware that may be causing issues.Add more RAM to your gear.
These real-time scans protect yourWindows 11 systemfrom online threats and local viruses.
So you cannot disable real-time protection even though the process uses high memory, RAM and CPU.
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Turn off some features of Virus Threat Protection.
But you might safely turn off the following options.
Add to Windows Defender Exclusion list
The corresponding file to AntiMalware Service ismsmpeng.exe.
This process is used to constantly check online threats and real time protection safety using Windows Defender.
On the other hand, the process behind this file can cause windows defender consuming high memory.
When a full scan is done, even the file msmpeng.exe is scanned.
This can cause heavy usage of cpu and other resources.
you’re able to add this file or process to the exclusion list in Windows Defender.
you could turn off Run with highest privileges on the General tab.
Still if you see more memory usage, it’s possible for you to delete or suspend the item.
It will automatically disable Windows Defender.
This will reduce the high memory usage.
Final Comments.
you could also disable Real-time protection if no other solution works.
This will temporarily reduce the high memory usage.
When no other AV is found it automatically gets re-enabled.
Even if 3rd party AV is used, Windows Defender keeps running in the background.
It fixes ransomware kind of problems or any other problems not detected by 3rd party AV.
This could happen if the 3rd party security system is not good enough.
Finally, dont reduce the security for the sake of memory performance.
The usage goes up on scheduled scans, full scans, virus scans etc.
It comes down when the process is complete.
As a result, Defender may use more memory than usual.
How much memory should Windows Defender use?
How to make Windows Defender use less Memory ?
To do this, open theWindows Defender Security Centerand choose the Virus & threat protection section.
Then, choose the Virus & threat protection parameters option.
you might also try exclusion certain types of files from being scanned by Defender.
To do this, kick off the Windows Defender Security Center and pick the Exclusions option.
Finally, you’re free to try running amanual scanwith Defender instead of using the real-time scanning feature.
To do this, launch the Windows Defender Security Center and tap on the Scan options button.
Then, grab the Full scan option and tap on the Scan now button.
