What is msmpeng.exe?

MsMpEng.exe is a process associated with Windows Defender, which is the built-in antivirus program in Windows operating systems. The process is responsible for real-time scanning, detection, and removal of malware and other malicious threats on a computer.

MsMpEng.exe typically runs in the background and continuously monitors the system for any suspicious activity. It uses the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine to perform various security tasks, such as scanning files, email attachments, and websites for potential threats.

While MsMpEng.exe is an essential component for maintaining the security of your system, it can sometimes consume a significant amount of system resources, leading to high CPU and memory usage. This can slow down the computer and affect its performance.

If you are experiencing issues with high CPU usage caused by MsMpEng.exe, you can try reducing the scan frequency of Windows Defender, exclude certain files or folders from being scanned, or disable real-time protection temporarily. However, it is important to remember that disabling Windows Defender can leave your system vulnerable to malware and other security threats.