MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory

ET3D · Dec 7, 2009, 09:52 AM

I updated my subnotebook (Fujitsu P1510D), an XP machine with 512MB, with the latest updates from Windows Update as well as installed Security Essentials. I noticed that MsMpEng is taking a significant amount of memory - currently about 48MB, 137MB VM when idle. More when active.

Google said it's related to Windows Defender, but there's no trace of Windows Defender that I could find on the machine (start menu, control panel, add/remove, services).

What do I do with it? I'd really love to get rid of it.

Edit: Okay, that's part of Security Essentials. Looks like I'll uninstall it and put AVG back.

**temeteus82** · Dec 7, 2009, 09:59 AM

Get rid of Security Essentials ... That exe is part of it so that's the easy solution.

ET3D · Dec 7, 2009, 10:02 AM

Heh, you beat my edit.

ET3D · Dec 7, 2009, 10:02 AM

I thought that Security Essentials was supposed to be lightweight. Guess I was wrong.

**temeteus82** · Dec 7, 2009, 10:04 AM

Yeah in systems that have loads of RAM

WxMan1 · Dec 7, 2009, 11:12 AM

That's a component of Windows Defender. It runs fine on my WinXP SP3 system 3x256MB of PC133 SDRAM. It uses about 25MB and 53MB VM for real-time protection only (I never allow it any sort of scanning).

ET3D · Dec 7, 2009, 04:57 PM

I guess memory footprint changes with the system. However, other antivirus products take less RAM. I have AVG back now, updated to version 9.

WxMan1 · Dec 7, 2009, 07:49 PM

I don't know anything about Security Essentials first hand - my experience lies soley with stand-alone Windows Defender; and I have no complaints. As far as that goes, its putative purpose is purely to defend against malware in the same vein that Spy Bot or Ad-Aware aren't anti-virus applications either. Its fairly unzealous with regards to its operation (compared to Spy Bot's Tea Timer). It is comparable to the latter with respect to detection of system changes that occur. I have all three installed on my system. While Spy Bot doesnt perform any real-time functionality (as its utilized entirely for its "immunization" features, in conjunction with regularly updated HOST file from MVPS), the other two run fine in concert with the AV component of Norton System Works 2003 for virus protection. Whatever Windows Defender don't catch, LavaSoft's Ad-Aware 10th Anniversady Ed. real-time protection should. And antyhing that gets past Spy Bot's immunization, and the second two layers of defense, will get backstopped by Zone Alarm warning me of crap phoning home (or launching without permission).

All of this runs fine on my lil' ol' slot 1 P3 1000 @110 FSB w/ 3x256MB PC133 ECC SDRAM @4/3 FSB system. I'm happily crunching 17 seperate BOINC projects. Cosmology @ Home has an enormouse memory footprint. SO I've got a pretty good handle on what resources are being used by what process / application.

The best advice that can be given with respect to system tuning for performance is to review system services running and disable any service not needed. Black Vipers site is a good resource in that regard. If all non-essential crap is turned off, a larger share of system resources will be available for more essential applications like Windows Defender.

Dec 7, 2009, 09:52 AM	#1
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory I updated my subnotebook (Fujitsu P1510D), an XP machine with 512MB, with the latest updates from Windows Update as well as installed Security Essentials. I noticed that MsMpEng is taking a significant amount of memory - currently about 48MB, 137MB VM when idle. More when active. Google said it's related to Windows Defender, but there's no trace of Windows Defender that I could find on the machine (start menu, control panel, add/remove, services). What do I do with it? I'd really love to get rid of it. Edit: Okay, that's part of Security Essentials. Looks like I'll uninstall it and put AVG back. Last edited by ET3D; Dec 7, 2009 at 10:01 AM.

Dec 7, 2009, 10:02 AM	Thread Starter #3
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory Heh, you beat my edit.

Dec 7, 2009, 10:02 AM	Thread Starter #4
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory I thought that Security Essentials was supposed to be lightweight. Guess I was wrong.

Dec 7, 2009, 11:12 AM	#6
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Re: MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory That's a component of Windows Defender. It runs fine on my WinXP SP3 system 3x256MB of PC133 SDRAM. It uses about 25MB and 53MB VM for real-time protection only (I never allow it any sort of scanning).

Dec 7, 2009, 04:57 PM	Thread Starter #7
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory I guess memory footprint changes with the system. However, other antivirus products take less RAM. I have AVG back now, updated to version 9.

Dec 7, 2009, 07:49 PM	#8
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Re: MsMpEng.exe taking too much memory I don't know anything about Security Essentials first hand - my experience lies soley with stand-alone Windows Defender; and I have no complaints. As far as that goes, its putative purpose is purely to defend against malware in the same vein that Spy Bot or Ad-Aware aren't anti-virus applications either. Its fairly unzealous with regards to its operation (compared to Spy Bot's Tea Timer). It is comparable to the latter with respect to detection of system changes that occur. I have all three installed on my system. While Spy Bot doesnt perform any real-time functionality (as its utilized entirely for its "immunization" features, in conjunction with regularly updated HOST file from MVPS), the other two run fine in concert with the AV component of Norton System Works 2003 for virus protection. Whatever Windows Defender don't catch, LavaSoft's Ad-Aware 10th Anniversady Ed. real-time protection should. And antyhing that gets past Spy Bot's immunization, and the second two layers of defense, will get backstopped by Zone Alarm warning me of crap phoning home (or launching without permission). All of this runs fine on my lil' ol' slot 1 P3 1000 @110 FSB w/ 3x256MB PC133 ECC SDRAM @4/3 FSB system. I'm happily crunching 17 seperate BOINC projects. Cosmology @ Home has an enormouse memory footprint. SO I've got a pretty good handle on what resources are being used by what process / application. The best advice that can be given with respect to system tuning for performance is to review system services running and disable any service not needed. Black Vipers site is a good resource in that regard. If all non-essential crap is turned off, a larger share of system resources will be available for more essential applications like Windows Defender.