Shane from Tweaking.com has found a fix to help those of you suffering from high CPU usage and performance issues with Microsoft Security Essentials.


The performance of Microsoft Security Essentials has been the one thing keeping me from using and recommending it to people. This problem is prevalent on all operating systems although Shane seems to find its worse on XP.

It turns out the fix is pretty easy. We simply tell Microsoft Security Essentials to exclude itself.

First, go to your Microsoft Security Essentials, click on the "Settings" tab. Select "Excluded files and locations".

For Windows XP or any version of Windows running Microsoft Security Essentials:
Browse to "C:Program FilesMicrosoft Security ClientMsMpEng.exe"



For Windows 8 or anyone only using Windows Defender:
Browse to "C:Program FilesWindows DefenderMsMpEng.exe"



Now press the Add button to add the file to your list of excluded files and locations. Press Save changes button.

Your performance should improve immediately.

Shane has some great tips and programs he has written. Check them out at http://www.tweaking.com/articles/index.html