If you open Task Manager, there will usually be a service called Antimalware Service Executable. Is Antimalware Service Executable Hogging Your Memory?
You may want to know about these services and why they sometimes waste CPU, Disk or Memory. This article will discuss the function of Antimalware Service Executable and whether to turn it off.
If you keep an eye on the task manager you can see that the antimalware service executable is doing its job. Windows Security (formerly Microsoft Defender) is a critical process and helps protect your system from malware. It is common practice to disable Antimalware Service Executable because they use a lot of system resources.
On older PCs with limited system resources, Antimalware Service Executable can greatly affect your system performance and it is not impossible that it will also reduce the speed of your computer’s performance. Read on as we discuss the importance of this service and how you can disable it.
Also read: How to Make Your Computer 10x Faster
What Is the Antimalware Service Executable?
You’re probably familiar with Windows Security (previously Microsoft Defender). Windows Security is a reliable antivirus that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11. The Antimalware Service Executable (you may find it listed as MsMpEng.exe in the Task Manager) is a core part of Windows Security.
This service helps ensure that your computer is safe from viruses worms and other harmful programs by constantly scanning your computers files and programs in the background. If the antimalware service driver detects a malicious file or program the affected file is immediately deleted or quarantined.
Should You Disable the Antimalware Service Executable?
Considering how essential an antimalware service is to protecting your computer you might wonder why you should disable it.
If you do not have a third-party antivirus installed on your system, then Windows Security is your sole protection against potentially harmful malware. If your PC is left without any third-party antivirus programs installed, the Antimalware Service Executable automatically enables itself and begins safeguarding your PC as part of Windows Security.
Ideally, you should not turn off the Antimalware Service Executable process. But if you have a reliable third-party antivirus installed, and the Antimalware Service Executable is still consuming a large chunk of your RAM or CPU, then it might make sense to disable it.
How to Disable the Antimalware Service Executable
There are a few different ways you can disable the Antimalware Service Executable depending on the circumstances of your system’s performance.
1. Disable Real-time Protection
Suppose you find the Antimalware Service Executable process consuming a lot of system resources in certain instances; in that case, you can temporarily disable real-time malware protection through Windows Security:
- Head to the Start menu, search for Windows Security and select the Best match.
- Navigate to Virus & threat protection from the sidebar.
- Look for Virus & threat protection settings, and then click on Manage settings optionunderneath.
- Disable the Real-time protection toggle button by bringing it to the Off position.
Real-time protection will be turned back on automatically by Windows Security.
2. Turn Off Antimalware Service Executable Through Windows Security in the Registry Editor
For users looking for a more permanent solution to disabling the Antimalware Service Executable, you will have to disable Windows Security from the Registry Editor.
If you do not have a third-party antivirus installed, disabling Windows Security will leave your system at risk of malicious malware that can damage it.
To disable Antimalware Service Executable from the Registry Editor:
- Search for Registry Editor from the Start menu, and launch it.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows Defender from the sidebar.
- Right-click on the Windows Defender folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Enter DisableAntiSpyware in the Value name field and 1 in the Value data field.
- Press OK to save your changes and restart your system for the changes to take effect.
Should You Rely on Windows Security for Windows 10 and 11?
Many users opt for a dedicated third-party antivirus on Windows 10 or 11, but Windows Security has made significant improvements in the past few years. Not only is Windows Security a complete antivirus package, but it’s also free and comes pre-installed on Windows.
