The genuine MsMpEng.exe file is a software component of Windows Defender by Microsoft Corporation. "MsMpEng.exe" is Microsoft's core antimalware executable. It performs the actual background real-time protective scanning for malware, viruses, and worms of files that it detects as having been created or updated recently. It has been used since Windows XP both in consumer-oriented products, (Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials), and by Microsoft enterprise products designed for managed software or server environments such as Forefront Client Security (FCS), meant only for Windows Server, not endpoint Windows. High CPU usage is a well-known side-effect of "msmpeng.exe", often a major reason that users install third-party antimalware products. When such products are installed, Windows Defender is deactivated. It installs in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files" whose name depends on the OS version: "\Microsoft Security Client" for XP/Vista/Win7, or "\Windows Defender" for Win8/8.1/10. It is uninstalled if the overall security product name is removed via the Control Panel.
MsMPEng stands for Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may in some cases harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the MsMpEng.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
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Description: MsMpEng.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. MsMpEng.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files"—common is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 103,168 bytes (16% of all occurrences), 103,376 bytes and 129 more variants.
It is a service, and the service name is WinDefend. The service helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software.
The program has no visible window. It is certified by a trustworthy company. The MsMpEng.exe file is not a Windows system file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 37% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You may also do the following: 1) uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ Windows Defender or Microsoft Antimalware 2) turn to the software developer [1][2], Microsoft, for advice 3) update [1][2] the program.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as MsMpEng.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example RDN/Generic.grp (detected by McAfee), and Trojan.TR/CoinMiner.inpim (detected by F-Secure). Therefore, you should check the MsMpEng.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
It's for Windows defender but beware of fakes.
It's windows defender. If you have a better antivirus you can get rid of it, and it take a lot of space, but in itself it is safe, but remember to check what folder it is found in in case it is a fake! bun
While the process can hog CPU usage and RAM, the process itself is safe. It is part of Microsoft Security Essentials. Beware of fake versions, however. Jingle
Summary: Average user rating of MsMpEng.exe:
based on 229 votes with 9 user comments.
128 users think MsMpEng.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
23 users think it's probably harmless.
28 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
15 users suspect danger.
35 users think MsMpEng.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
21 users don't grade MsMpEng.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving MsMpEng issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with MsMpEng. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the MsMpEng.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
bun
(further information)
WHITE HOODIE
Ingo B.
Jingle
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of MsMpEng.exe: based on 229 votes with 9 user comments. 128 users think MsMpEng.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 23 users think it's probably harmless. 28 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 15 users suspect danger. 35 users think MsMpEng.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 21 users don't grade MsMpEng.exe ("not sure about it").