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Antimalware Service Executable is one of the necessary background processes that sometimes hinder normal PC use.

turning off periodic scanning to fix Antimalware Service Executable

Lets make a run at fix this without compromising your safety.

This is free and native malware protection, ensuring a Windows PC remains always protected.

Straightaway, the easiest solution is to switch to a reputedantivirus softwarethat stops Microsoft Defender from creating this nuisance.

disable-antispyware registry entry to avoid Antimalware Service Executable

However, Microsoft Defender may still run alongside any external antivirus program.

For this, right-click in the empty space, enterNewand selectDWORD (32-bit) Value.

Finally, name the value asDisableAntiSpywareand change the value to 1 as indicated previously.

create-antispyware-entry

So, that is the simplest fix.

Lets check each one to see which works for you.

Regulate Scheduled Scans

Microsoft Defender runs periodic scans to maintain the systems health.

msmpeng.exe responsible for Antimalware Service Executable

you’re free to check that fromTask Schedulerand manage the scan priorities.

First, pop fire up Windows Run by pressing +R and typetaskschd.msc.

Alternatively, you could use the taskbar search for opening Task Scheduler.

task-scheduler-scheduling periodic scans

Next, navigate toTask Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender, and double-clickWindows Defender Scheduled Scan.

Under the General tab, ensure theRun with highest privilegesis unchecked or uncheck it and pressOKat the bottom.

These configs sit underTrigger, beside theGeneraltab we have just seen.

scheduled-scan-prevelige

There are many things to tweak.

Similarly, you might indicate a few situations under theConditionstab, which further restricts when the scheduled scan runs.

Finally, theSettingsmenu has some options to control it further.

windows defender scan-scheduling

However, a few prefs, like the task duration, are repeated.

The best option here is to set it similarly to the trigger.

hey remember to press OK after each step or combinely afterward for the configurations to take effect.

scheduled-scan

Set Process Priority

The above steps were about scheduling the scans.

Still, when it occurs, it may consume most resources, rendering the system unusable.

In such cases, tweaking the specific process priority can help.

task-manager

For this, initiate the Task Manager to findAntimalware Service Executableunder the list ofProcesses.

Then right-tap the subject process and clickGo to details.

This will take you to the related utility, MsMpEng.exe, in this case.

setting priority for MsMpEng.exe

Finally, right-click again to head into theSet priority, and selectLow.

Eventually, youre left with setting this from the task manager each time it eats more resources than desired.

The option to add exclusion sits underWindows Security > Virus & threat protection.

virus-and-threat-protection

Scroll down toExclusions, clickAdd or remove exclusions,and select+Add an exclusion.

Subsequently, selectFolderfrom the drop-down.

Finally, navigate to the Windows Defender folder which is usually located atC:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender.

windows-defender-exclusion

This will add all the associated files, including the MsMpEng.exe.

Regardless, you could do this by toggling offAutomatic sample submissionunderVirus & threat protection prefs.

Still, some went further by disabling real-time protection in Virus and threat protection parameters we strongly suggest against.

automatic-sampling turn off to fix Antimalware Service Executable

Its almost equivalent to having no antivirus at all.

Finally, run a full antivirus scan to root out any malware.

Still, lets check someWindows problem-solver toolsto take care of some similar problems for you automatically.