What is msmpeng.exe And How to Manage it.

MsMpEng.exe is the native antivirus and the core process of the Windows Defender service. Its main function is to scan files for spyware and quarantine or remove them if they are suspicious. It also detects or scans your system for known harmful software, viruses, malware, worms, and other such programs.

If it finds some suspicious files, then it moves the files to the “Quarantined” section, where you can remove them or restore them. MsMpEng.exe runs in the background and scans your system.

Although it scans your system, it consumes too much space of CPU power on your device. And due to this, your system performance hampers. Your system slows down and causes you issues. And if you are encountering the same problem with your system, then don’t worry. Here are some fixes available for you to try and resolve the error.

Issues you face with the MsMpEng.exe

There are times when you are trying to stop the process from Task Manager, but due to some issue, your access is denied.
One of the main problems you face is that MsMpEng.exe takes too much space of Disk Usage.
Your system speed slows down.
MsMpEng.exe consumes high memory (RAM) usage.

Now, let’s look at the ways to manage msmpeng.exe.

Stops Windows Defender from scanning its folder

First of all, open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Key and R key simultaneously.
Enter Virus & threat protection in the box.

Next, you need to click on the Virus & threat protection settings option.
You need to scroll down to the bottom and select the Add or remove exclusions.

Select Add an exclusion.

You need to copy and paste C:\Program Files\Windows Defender in the box.
Last click on the select Folder.

Go through the steps and check whether MsMpEng.exe is still hogging your CPU usage or not. If yes, then continue with the next method.

Limit CPU usage of MsMpEng.exe

Users have the option to set MsMpEng.exe to use fewer resources from the Task Manager. Here are the steps for you to set the limit for it.

To start the process, you need to press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.

In the next step, you need to go to the “Details” tab.
Scroll down and select the “MsMpEng.exe” option.

Now, you are required to click on the “Set Affinity” option.

You need to click on the CPU threshold value option.
Last, reboot your device and check if the issue still persists or not.

Disable Sample Sampling

You must know that Windows 10 has an in-built feature called “Automatic Sample Sampling.” This tool runs in the background of your system. The function of this tool is to send the suspicious files to the Windows 10 server, which is further analyzed for any viruses. There are instances when this tool consumes too much amount of resources. And to free up, you need to disable the “Automatic Sample Sampling” option. Here’s how you do it.

Firstly, you are required to press the Windows key on your keyboard.
In the next step, type Virus & threat protection.
Click on it.
Now, you are required to go to the “Automatic Sample Sampling” option.
Click on the slider which shows ON.
If you are prompted by User Account Control, then select Yes.
Lastly, you are required to restart and reboot your device.

Disable real-time protection

You can also eradicate this error by disabling real-time protection. Below are the steps for it.

Start this method by typing the Virus & Threat protection in the Windows search box.
In the next step, you need to click on Virus & Threat protection.

Now, you are required to click on the Manage setting option under Virus & Threat protection settings.
After that, turn off Real-time protection.

Other ways

You need to check for the Windows Update. Check Whether there is a pending update or not. If there is any pending update, then you need to install it. Once you complete the installation, check for the error.
Also, you need to be sure whether there is any third-party antivirus or antimalware software is installed on your system or not. If you have it, then removing may solve your issue.

Conclusion

We have tried to demonstrate the possible cause of this MsMpEng. Exe error in our article. We also provide you with some easy and effective ways to handle the MsMpEng. Exe issue. All the steps are easy to go through. So, all you need to try them out to fix this error and use your system effectively.