Can one prevent Antimalware Executable to start hogging CPU for extended periods each time some network adapter gets active?

Anonymous
2013-03-15T20:00:20+00:00

One of the most annoying habits in Windows 8 is, that the built-in "Antimalware Service Executable" (part of "Windows Defender") starts hogging my device's CPU with 60-70% (and 100% disk) for extended periods EACH AND EVERY time after I wake it up.

I wouldn't mind if it starts doing its business IN THE BACKGROUND but when I wake my device up from standby it's usually to get something done NOW and thus I find it increasingly unacceptable, that the system is always taken over by Window's defender exactly then and for up to several minutes! If I don't find a solution soon to throttle this beast, then I will disable Defender altogether!

What I noticed is, that this process seems to be actually triggered not by the system waking up, but by the network adapter becoming active. And actually, this happens each and every time ANY network adapter gets active! E.g. if my system has NO network connection at all and I plugin the network cable the Antimalware Service Executable starts. When - after it has settled again - I additionally enable Bluetooth then the Antimalware Service Executable starts its hogging business again. And if I then additionally enable the WLAN a few minutes later, it will AGAIN start to consume CPU!

So: can one decouple this? Running a scan ONCE after (re-)starting it is definitely enough, especially if Defender hasn't downloaded any new signatures since the last run! And, second, can one make Defender convince to strictly run in the background ONLY?

Michael

[Moved from Windows]

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-20T16:25:25+00:00

    In Task Scheduler, with Library/Microsoft/Windows/Windows Defender selected in the left window pane, click on Properties in the right Action menu (under Selected Item).  In the window that pops up, go to the Conditions tab where you should be able to deselect the checkbox for Power.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-04-30T02:43:53+00:00

    Tadasha,

    This was a wonderful step-by-step answer for this problem; thank you very much indeed. 

    Much obliged!

    Sgt. M.R., USMC

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-10T08:24:05+00:00

    Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue. Your response will sure help others in this community facing similar issues.

    Please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

    Have a great day!

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-09T13:58:23+00:00

    I think i found the solution, when you all reach to the "window defender", on your right tab there are properties, click it

    and go to condition, idle, power, and network these three will be allowed to uncheck

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-04-07T03:13:40+00:00

    IF you can PLEASE make it so that Defender DOES NOT run when on BATT power.

    It DOES NOT respect the settings "Start only while on AC Power" -- it starts anyway.

    F** this is so irritating.

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