High CPU consumption is not a recent problem with Windows computers as it has long afflicted users of both Windows 10 and 7. We previously discussed how to reduce high CPU use on Windows 10 following the KB4512941 upgrade. And right now, customers are claiming that the msmpeng.exe process is significantly increasing CPU utilisation. The intriguing aspect of this process is that it is a system process that is managed by the built-in antivirus rather than a virus. So let’s discover how to disable the msmpeng.exe process, which would ultimately lower the excessive CPU consumption on Windows systems, in order to better comprehend the issue.
Disable Msmpeng.exe and Reduce High CPU Usage
Let me make it clear that Msmpeng.exe is not a virus before I continue with the guide. In actuality, Windows Defender, the default antivirus software, is running an Antimalware Service Executable process (now called Windows Security). The problem has been linked by several users to a database file named mpenginedb.db that Windows Defender uses to store hash values. Windows Security repeatedly scans every piece of data on the disc and rehashes it in the database file because of some incorrect identifiers. The CPU use increases sharply from 50% to 100% as a result. To resolve this problem, we must remove the mpenginedb.db file.
Delete Mpengine.db File
1. We can’t generally delete Mpengine.db because it is a system file connected to the antivirus.
Only after temporarily turning off the antivirus will we be able to erase the file. In order to access Virus and threat protection, launch Windows Security. Click Manage Settings here.
2. Next, turn off all of the toggles in this section.
3. Next, restart your computer while pressing and holding the Shift button. The Advanced Recovery Window will boot up.
4. Select Restart under Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Startup Settings. Press the 4 number key to enter Safe Mode after that.
5. Once in Safe Mode, use the Windows Search box to look up registry. Then, in the right pane, select Run as administrator.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
6. Paste the address listed below into the Registry address box and press Enter. Instantaneously, the Windows Defender folder will be displayed.
7. Select New -> DWORD (32-bit) value from the context menu when you right-click Windows Defender. Give the file the name “DisableAntiSpyware” and press “Ok.”
8. Double-click the file and change the value to 1 by doing so. Click the Ok button after that, and then restart your computer.
9. Find Powershell this time, and launch it as an administrator.
Remove-Item 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\mpenginedb.db'
10. Then copy the following command and paste it into your PowerShell window. After that, press Enter. The mpengine.db file will be removed from your computer as a result.
Disable Msmpeng.exe on Your Windows PC
11. Reopen the Registry and get rid of the DisableAntiSpyware file. Restart your computer after that, and Windows Security will resume functioning. And this time, Msmpeng.exe won’t be responsible for any CPU spikes. If the problem persists, you should either reinstall Windows or use a different antivirus programme, ideally Malwarebytes (free; pro version costs $47.30/year).