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
    2014-02-14T22:20:28+00:00

    For some reason I am unable to complete the above steps successfully.  In addition, Windows Defender will not turn on, on my computer at all.  Why is this happening? I have the current spyware and virus updates as 1.165.4099.0 is this correct?  All else seems to be working properly but I have my doubts.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-01T17:28:38+00:00

    THAT WAS IT!  Woohoo!  This, my dear Internet, is how to stop Antimalware Service Executable from slowing down your system.  What a delight.  Thank you, Fudge McCycle.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-02T02:33:05+00:00

    thanks microsoft.'m from Vietnam. follow the microsoft guide to Task Scheduler Library but can not find the Microsoft folder that I found contains the conditions for all Idle, Power and Network. . give it away but I did not know so I can disable it yet

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-07-25T09:31:21+00:00

    I have the 4 tasks and an additional task I created that updates the signature files every 6 hours. For ALL tasks I left the IDLE, POWER and NETWORK as they were and on the first tab (labeled General) I unchecked Run with highest privileges.

    I am now able to walk up to my PC anytime and use it without the Antimalware Service Executable (Windows Defender) taking over my CPU (80-95%) and NOT yielding it to back to me until it feels like it ... usually 10-15 minutes. I also run MalwareBytesPro which installs itself to be run at normal priority.

    It was set to run only after being idle for 10 minutes but that did not seem to stop the tasks.

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