Windows Defender Antivirus defaults to a maximum of 50% of the CPU for Windows 10 scanning. However, you can specify a percentage of CPU usage that you want Windows Defender Antivirus to not exceed. . In this post, we will show you how check the current maximum CPU usage for analysis and a quick way to specify the maximum use of the CPU for analysis by Windows Defender.
Windows Defender runs mostly in the background. It scans new files for threats and also reviews any files you download via Edge, Chrome, or another browser. A full system scan will not be performed until you actively use your PC. However, if you want to limit the use of the Windows Defender processor so that it never uses it too much, you can do it.
How to check the current maximum CPU utilization for Windows Defender analysis
Start PowerShell in high mode.
Copy and paste the command below into the elevated PowerShell, and then press Enter.
Get-MpPreference | select ScanAvgCPULoadFactor
From the result you will see the ScanAvgCPULoadFactor value corresponding to the current maximum utilization percentage of the CPU for an analysis.
You can now see the current maximum CPU utilization percentage of your PC for an analysis done by Windows Defender; you can now set a higher or lower processor utilization percentage, as appropriate.
Specify the maximum CPU utilization for Windows Defender scans
You can increase, reduce, limit, or set a CPU utilization limit for Windows Defender scans in Windows 10 by using one of the following methods. The default value is 50%.
- Using the PowerShell command
- Using the Group Policy Editor
- Using the Windows registry.
You will need administrative privileges to perform this action.
1) Using the PowerShell command
Start PowerShell in high mode.
Type the command below in the elevated PowerShell, and then press Enter.
Set-MpPreference -ScanAvgCPULoadFactor
Replace the place-place in the command with a value between 5 at 100. Example:
Set-MpPreference -ScanAvgCPULoadFactor 30
Specify a value of 0 (zero) disables CPU limitation for Windows Defender, which allows Windows Defender to use as much CPU as it wants.
NOTE: If the Windows Defender Antivirus Service is disabled on your computer, you may receive a The operation failed Error.
2) Using the Group Policy Editor
Open the Group Policy Editor and go to the following setting:
Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Windows Defender Antivirus / Analysis
In the right pane, double-click Specify the maximum percentage of CPU usage during a crawl. setting.
To select enabled and define a figure.
Click Apply and restart your computer.
NOTE: On some systems / Windows Defender Antivirus / Appears like / Microsoft Defender Antivirus /.
3) Using the Windows registry
Open the registry editor and go to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Policies Microsoft Windows Defender
Right-click the Windows Defender key> Select New> Key and name it Scan.
Then, right-click the newly created Scan subkey, select New> DWORD Value (32-bit). Name it as AvgCPULoadFactor and give it a value between 5 and 100 to specify the maximum percentage of CPU for Windows Defender scans.
This is how you can limit the CPU usage of Windows Defender scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions – Limiting Maximum CPU Usage for Windows Defender Scan
Q: How can I limit or set maximum CPU usage for Windows Defender Scan?
A: Unfortunately, the Windows Defender application does not provide an in-built feature to limit or set the maximum CPU usage for its scans. The scan process is designed to utilize available system resources to provide efficient and effective malware detection and removal. However, you can try adjusting the scan settings to reduce CPU usage indirectly. For instance, you can schedule scans during periods when the system is less busy, or customize the type of files and folders that are included in the scan to reduce the scanning workload.
Q: Are there any alternative methods to limit CPU usage during Windows Defender scans?
A: While there is no direct way to limit CPU usage for Windows Defender scans, you can try a few workarounds to minimize the impact on your system’s performance. One option is to set the scan priority to “Low” within the Task Manager. This can help allocate fewer CPU resources to the scan process, allowing other tasks to run more smoothly. Additionally, you can adjust the power plan settings on your computer to favor performance over power savings, which may help improve overall CPU utilization during scans.
Q: Can third-party antivirus software offer CPU usage control during scans?
A: Some third-party antivirus software may offer options to limit or set the maximum CPU usage during scans. These options can vary depending on the specific software you are using. If you are looking for more precise control over CPU usage during scans, you may want to explore alternative antivirus solutions and review their features to find one that offers the desired functionality.
Q: How can I optimize Windows Defender scans to consume less CPU?
A: To optimize Windows Defender scans and reduce CPU usage, you can follow these tips:
- Schedule scans during idle periods: Set up automatic scans when the computer is less likely to be in use, such as during off-peak hours or overnight.
- Exclude unnecessary files/folders: Customize the scan settings to exclude specific files, folders, or file types that are not typically at risk of malware infections. This can reduce the overall scanning workload and CPU usage.
- Update Windows regularly: Keeping your operating system and Windows Defender up to date ensures you have the latest security enhancements and performance improvements, which can optimize scan efficiency.
- Close resource-intensive applications: Before starting a scan, close any unnecessary programs or applications that may be utilizing significant CPU resources. This can help allocate more power to the scan process.
- Upgrade hardware: If your computer’s hardware is outdated or underpowered, upgrading your RAM or processor can improve overall system performance and help reduce CPU usage during scans.
Please note that these are general guidelines, and the effectiveness may vary depending on your specific system configuration and usage patterns.