Is Antimalware Service Executable Using a Lot of Memory? Here’s What You Can Do

Antimalware Service Executable is a process that runs on Windows computers to provide real-time protection against malware threats. However, many users have reported issues with the process using a lot of memory, which can cause the computer to slow down or become unresponsive.

In this article, I will explore the causes of high memory usage by Antimalware Service Executable and provide solutions to fix the problem. I will also discuss the implications of disabling the process and provide tips for optimizing the performance of Windows Defender.

Is it OK to Disable Antimalware Service Executable?

Disabling Antimalware Service Executable is not recommended, as it can leave the computer vulnerable to malware attacks. The process is an essential component of Windows Defender, which provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

So, Disabling Antimalware Service Executable can cause Windows Defender to stop functioning properly, which can put the computer at risk of infection.

However, if you are experiencing high memory usage due to Antimalware Service Executable, there are ways to fix the issue without disabling the process entirely.

How to Fix Antimalware Service Executable Using High Memory

If you are experiencing high memory usage by Antimalware Service Executable, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem. Here are some solutions to try:

Run a Full System Scan

Start by running a full system scan with Windows Defender. This will help identify and remove any malware that might be causing the high memory usage. Here is how to do it:

1. Click on the Windows Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar. Click on the app to open it:
   
2. In the Windows Security app, click on the Virus & threat protection tab:
   
3. Under the Current threats section, click on the Scan options link:
   
4. In the Scan options window, select Full scan and click on the Scan now button:
   
5. The scan may take a while to complete depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files on it. During the scan, you can still use your computer, but it may run slower than usual.
6. Once the scan is complete, you can review the results to see if Windows Defender found any threats or issues on your system.

It’s recommended that you run a full scan on a regular basis to keep your system secure. If this solution didn’t work, try the next one.

Disable Windows Defender’s Real-Time Protection

In some cases, the real-time protection feature of Windows Defender can cause high memory usage. You can try disabling this feature temporarily to see if it helps. To do this follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar. Click on the app to open it.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on the Virus & threat protection tab and then click on the Manage settings link under Virus & threat protection settings:
   
3. Scroll down to the Real-time protection section and toggle the switch to the Off position:
   
4. Confirm your choice: A warning message will appear stating that your device may be vulnerable to threats if you turn off real-time protection. Click on the “Yes” button to confirm your choice.

Note: Disabling real-time protection is not recommended unless you have another antivirus program installed on your system. Without real-time protection, your computer will be more vulnerable to malware and other security threats.

If you need to re-enable it, simply follow the same steps and toggle the switch to the “On” position.

Update Windows Defender

Make sure that Windows Defender is up to date with the latest virus and malware definitions. This will ensure that it can detect and remove the latest threats.

1. Click on the Windows Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar. Click on the app to open it.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on the Virus & threat protection tab and then scroll down to the Virus & threat protection updates section and click on the Check for updates link..
3. Wait for updates to download and install: Windows Defender will check for updates and download and install any available updates.
4. Check the update status: Once the updates are downloaded and installed, you’ll see a message stating that your device is up to date.

Note: It’s important to keep Windows Defender up to date to ensure that your computer is protected against the latest threats.

If you encounter any issues during the update process, you may need to troubleshoot the issue or contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Optimize Antimalware Service Executable Settings

You can optimize the settings of Antimalware Service Executable to reduce its memory usage. For example, you can limit CPU usage or reduce scanning frequency, read the section how to stop Windows Defender from using so much memory to learn how to do this.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and fix the issue of Antimalware Service Executable using high memory.

How to Turn off Antimalware Service Executable

While it is not recommended to turn off Antimalware Service Executable, there may be situations where you need to do so temporarily or permanently. Here are some steps you can take to turn off Antimalware Service Executable:

Temporarily Disable Antimalware Service Executable

To temporarily disable Antimalware Service Executable, you can use the Windows Security app. To do this, refer to the previous section on disable Windows Defender’s real-time protection.

This will turn off Antimalware Service Executable temporarily until you turn it back on again. If you want to permanently disable it, keep reading.

Permanently Disable Antimalware Service Executable

To permanently disable Antimalware Service Executable, you can use the Registry Editor. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor:
   
3. Navigate to the following path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
   
4. Right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value:
   
5. Name the new value DisableAntiSpyware.
6. Double-click on the new value and change the value data to 1.
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

This will permanently disable Antimalware Service Executable, but it is not recommended as it can leave your computer vulnerable to malware attacks.

Note: I recommend using caution when making changes to the Registry Editor, as incorrect changes can cause serious problems with your system. Make sure to back up your data before making any changes.

How to Stop Windows Defender from Using So Much Memory

If you are experiencing high memory usage by Windows Defender, there are several steps you can take to reduce it. Here are some solutions to try:

Limit CPU Usage

You can limit the CPU usage of Windows Defender to reduce its memory usage. Here’s how:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
2. Click on the Details tab.
3. Right-click on Antimalware Service Executable and select Set affinity.
4. Select the CPU cores you want to use and click OK.

Adjust Scan Frequency

You can adjust the scan frequency of Windows Defender to reduce its memory usage. Here’s how:

1. Click on the Windows Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar. Click on the app to open it.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on the Virus & threat protection tab and then click on the Manage settings link under Virus & threat protection settings:
   
3. Scroll down to Automatic sample submission and toggle the switch to the off position:
   
4. Under Current threats, click on Scan options:
   
5. Click on Windows Defender Offline scan and toggle the switch to the off position.

Use an Alternative Antivirus Program

If you are still experiencing high memory usage with Windows Defender, you can try to use Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is regarded as the best anti-malware tool in the world and it uses less resources than Windows Defender. Click here to download it from the official website.

By following these steps, you should be able to reduce the memory usage of Windows Defender and improve the performance of your computer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, high memory usage by Antimalware Service Executable can be a frustrating problem to deal with. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to reduce its memory usage and improve the performance of your computer.

Remember, it’s not recommended to disable Antimalware Service Executable altogether as it plays an important role in protecting your computer from malware and other online threats. Instead, try adjusting its settings or using an alternative antivirus program such as Malwarebytes to achieve better results.

If you want to know how to increase your security by running Windows Defender and Malwarebytes at the same time, I’ve written an article about it.

By taking the time to optimize your computer’s security settings, you can enjoy a safer and more efficient computing experience.