msmpeng.exe very high CPU

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  Just because you don't wish to believe it doesn't mean it isn't true.  MsMpEng.exe is the core engine for all of the Microsoft antimalware products and it purposefully monitors many things on the system, which if they are performing in a way that is similar to malware can in some cases result in high utilization, it's that simple.

  There are many reasons this can occur, but most are due to other antimalware programs that either remain or have been improperly removed or cleaned-up by their uninstall processes, which is why this is recommended as a first item to check.  Otherwise, it is possible that another program installed on the system is doing things that the engine is monitoring, so what this other program is needs to be determined so that it can either be removed or escalated to higher level support for a long term solution.  This can't happen by posting here, since no one here can answer the question for your particular machine, which is why going to support has always been the recommended next step for most.

  Since Windows Live OneCare is no longer sold or supported, I doubt you should be posting here.  What Microsoft product are you talking about that is causing this issue in your case?

  Rob

  Wednesday, December 15, 2010 7:48 PM

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  Why does msmpeng.exe run at very high CPU for ages opn my Windows XP machine?  Don't tell me there isn't one cause or that it is caused by other software I have installed.  Ity is caused by msmpeng.exe becasue it is this that is often at 95% CPU for ages.

  Thousands of people have this issue by moderators on this forum just say it is us, it is our software!

  I used to like this AV becasue it was free and efficient, but I wodl not recommend it to anyone.

  Just fix it!

  
  I suspect that you are using Microsoft Security Essentials. The forums for that are here: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/mse

  I'll save you the trouble of posting there. You don't need to reply here, but if you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, open a support case per the information below.

   Prior Security Software?

  Any security software still installed?

  A possible reason for this problem is that you have conflicting security software installed fully or partially on the PC. Remove all other security software from the PC.

  You may need to use a cleanup tool to remove your prior security software:

  http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91

  Be sure to review this post:

  Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentials

   

  If that fails to resolve the problem, open an email support case:

   

  To open an email support case, start here:

  https://support.microsoftsecurityessentials.com/

   

  -steve

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  ~ Microsoft MVP Windows Live ~ Windows Live OneCare| Live Mesh|MS Security Essentials Forums Moderator ~

  • Marked as answer by Stephen BootsMVP, Moderator Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:50 PM

  Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:50 PM

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