Microsoft problem with msmpeng.exe
- Posted by GeorgeWalters Apr 14, 2009
- 1286 views
FYI
About a month ago all of my customer's computers at two separate and independent locations started to load and run EU programs extremely slow and they started this the same morning. One location was in Tennesee, the other in New Mexico. At first we thought it was NOD32 since both were running it. Finally we found the problem by watching task manager when a program was loaded and found that msmpeng.exe was scanning all load and runs and taking all the CPU doing it. Uninstalling windows defender fixed the problem. Here's the info clipped below. The auto update in windows XP did this. It's really irritating to have MS do such a debilitating thing to your computers
The msmpeng.exe process is used by the Microsoft Windows Defender to perform spyware scanning procedures. When Windows Live OneCare is installed in your computer, the msmpeng.exe file is also automatically saved in your computer.
To ensure that your system is protected, you can determine the activity of the msmpeng.exe file through Windows Task Manager. On the other hand, when the msmpeng.exe file is performing a scan, you can view the details of the scan through the Windows Defender user interface.
The main functions of the msmpeng.exe file include the ability to remove, quarantine, and prevent spyware infections. Aside from scanning for Spyware, the msmpeng.exe file also searches for worms and Trojans.
The framework of the msmpeng.exe file was based on the GIANT Antispyware, a product of GIANT Company Software, Inc. Aside from scanning, Windows Defender also includes various Real-time Security Agents used to check areas of Windows that can contain unsafe programs. ActiveX applications can also be removed by the msmpeng.exe file.