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Topic: Microsoft Security Essentials uninstalled for hogging my CPU |
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 8:42 am |
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Some time ago I decided to try out Microsoft Security Essentials, which I recommended to people who couldn't afford commercial security programs. At first it was easy on my resources and fast to start-up with a Windows boot. However, my Windows XP Pro PC, with SP3 has been slowing down over the last few weeks, especially on startup, to the point where it takes minutes to open or use productivity programs. After disabling various processes and start-up items, it turned out the MSE was the culprit, along with its companion process MsMpeng.exe. That process is the realtime threat checker module and it was consuming most of my CPU.
Today I had enough and uninstalled MSE, disabled Defender (which was re-enabled by MSE after a program update) and installed the current version of Avira AntiVir. This is just an interim measure until I purchase another licensed copy of TMIS, which happens to be on sale right now.
I frequently test various security programs. Some work out, others don't. Since rebooting after installing AntiVir, I can use my PC within one and a half minutes, down from 4 minutes with MSE. All applications now perform like they used to. In my case, the protection was more damaging than the threats.
Note: I operate as a Power User, with reduced user privileges. This already reduces my danger level by about 92%. Most malware threats require full administrator privileges to install their components, especially when it comes to rootkits. Threatfire monitors my PC and prevents rootkits from being installed.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 11:47 am
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Wiz,
That is a great idea to operate as a power user with reduced priviledges!
I never understood TMI's pricing! Their web site prices are outrageously high and I think they drive away customers with their online store.
I have been buying TM from Amazon.com, sometimes as low as $14 for 3 computers on CD or in digital form (if I am in a hurry) for about $27 with immediate download and activation. Amazon even saves the key for you and you can download the 2nd and 3rd copy at any later time.
TM at Amazon
Update: Amazon now has the Digital Download version on sale for $13.79 and a preorder sale price on TM 2011!
TM at Amazon
Greg |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 7:21 pm
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John;
You had better re-read the article you linked to. It does not say Microsoft Security Essentials at all. It is about a rogue program called Security Essentials 2010. They are totally different programs. MSE is Microsoft's re-entry into the anti-virus/anti-spyware field, after abandoning Live One Care and Windows Anti-Spyware before it. MES is a 100% legitimate security application and is about to move into version 2.0.
The one you linked to, Security Essentials 2010, is a Russian fraud.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 7:24 pm
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That is the exact problem. I read those very results and tried applying some workarounds, only to give up and totally remove the program from my PC. It has been improved to a point where it incapacitated my computer.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 8:07 pm
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I hate these things actually naming themselves Microsoft Security Essentials and adding 2010 to the name. Your problem is actually one in the same as my problem I posted earlier on concerning my backup failing. You Disable Real time protection and the backup works. About the time When I started using this was when my backup stopped working.
I never installed Microsoft Security Essentials 2010. But I know how to get rid of it, The best way is to do a System restore to a point prior to this being installed and then adding the Url's to your blocked Urls list in your browser. I was reading your post and was looking for a way to remove Microsoft Security Essentials when I found this site, which I assume is Microsoft.com
How do you cleanly get rid of Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender?
Microsoft should stay out of what they don't understand, Security! |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 9:25 pm
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| John Floyd wrote: |
How do you cleanly get rid of Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender?
Microsoft should stay out of what they don't understand, Security! |
You just uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials, via Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs! Then, if Defender is still running after you reboot, install and open CCleaner > Tools > Start-up and disable Defender, then reboot. In lieu of Ccleaner, use Msconfig (Start > Run > Msconfig > Start-up).
With MSE gone and Defender disabled from starting with Windows, MsMpEng does nothing at all. It sits in the process tree consuming zilch.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 9:51 pm
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I'm running Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender on Windows 7 64 bit Enterprise and don't see MsMpEng.exe in Task Manager at all.
MSE has popped up from time to time when it detects a threat, but now you've got me wondering if I have them installed correctly. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 2:10 am
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I don't see that file or any "hogging" of resources from MSE. That file is associated with Windows Live One Care and Defender, not Microsoft Security Essentials according to the referenced Google search link.
I had resource problems with the free CA Associates security package that Roadrunner offers, McAfee and AVG. AVG even affected Windows 7 64 bit startup time. |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 3:09 am
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Wiz Wrote
| Quote: |
| You just uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials, via Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs! Then, if Defender is still running after you reboot, install and open CCleaner > Tools > Start-up and disable Defender, then reboot. In lieu of Ccleaner, use Msconfig (Start > Run > Msconfig > Start-up) |
Wiz
None of That Describes what I am Seeing in Win 7 Ultimate. I don't see Microsoft Security Essentials Listed in my programs. I do see Windows Defender Listed in The Control Panel and I have Disabled That.
I Wasn't having problems with My resources being gobbled by Msmpeng.Exe but I found this interesting because I had a problem earlier with my Available Ram being Gobbled up by Windows Media Player Network Services running a process continiously.
More Information I Found about Msmpeng.Exe
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Can the Msmpeng.Exe Process Be A Virus?
http://www.exe-error-fixes.com/prevent-msmpengexe-running-times/
Yes, it is possible. Many malicious programs are known to disguise themselves as the msmpeng.exe file. If you suspect that the msmpeng.exe running on your PC is not a true file or you see msmpeng.exe running even when you do not use Microsoft Windows Defender, then you must check the location where the file is stored. If you find that file is not located in its default location, then it is quite probable that this file is an unsolicited file, which may cause harm to your computer.
Many times, malicious programs use names similar to existing system tasks and files to prevent users from identifying them. For instance, an unsolicited process may be running on your PC as mssmpeng.Exe, msmpengn.exe, and msmpenge.Exe.
You can identify such processes by going through the list of current processes running on your computer. To view current processes, press Ctrl + Alt + Del and click Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager window.
If you see any unsolicited process running, then we recommend that you scan your PC using efficient antivirus and antispyware tools. These tools not only scan, quarantine, and remove the malicious programs present on your PC, but also prevent viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans and other harmful programs from infiltrating your system in the first place.
Malicious programs such as viruses, spyware and Trojan horses often deliberately add embedded keys or alter existing file entries within the registry. Msmpeng.exe errors may also occur if the registry entries of the file are either incorrect or corrupt.
To prevent and fix these issues, you must regularly scan the system registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool, such as RegGenie. This powerful, yet easy to use registry cleaning tool enables you to weed out incorrect and harmful entries from registry with just a few mouse clicks. |
Could have been that Msmpeng.Exe Was infected Since nobody else was experiencing their resources being taken over.
I just Learned it is OK to Just Turn Windows Defender Off in Win 7 Control Panel provided you have a good Anti Virus and Anti Malware Application. Most of the things I have read describes it as a piece of crap. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 7:15 am
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According to Microsoft, Msmpeng.Exe is the realtime monitor component of both Windows Live Once Care and Microsoft Security Essentials. The msmpeng.exe process is an application that belongs to the Service Executable application. The mspeng.exe application is the core component of the Windows Defender which was previously known as Windows AntiSpyware.
A lot of people have been complaining about this process hogging their CPUs. Since I uninstalled MSE and installed AntiVir, things have improved 300%. I boot into a workable desktop three times faster. Programs open for the first time in a blink of an eye, whereas with MSE they sometimes took a minute to become functional.
MSE was a decent anti-virus program, for what I paid for it (0). Aside from it making the PC as slow as a turtle, I had no complaints.
Jack;
You are using MSE on a souped up W7 computer. I am running XP Pro, with but 2 Gigs of RAM and an AMD Athlon CPU, running at just 2200 Mhz. Our experiences with any programs will differ greatly.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 7:22 am
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| Wiz, my Q6600 CPU and 8 GB of RAM on Win 7 64 bit probably is a factor in why I don't see any problems.... |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 7:46 am
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Wiz
Time to wake up and smell the coffee, You Need a new Computer 
This time last year I was Running a Quad Core 3.0 GHZ AMD With 8 Gig Of Ram.
This years Upgrade is an AMD Thuban 6 Core 3.4 GHZ and 16 GB of Ram.
Things are moving much faster lately in hardware selection and availability. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 7:58 am
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| John Floyd wrote: |
Wiz
Time to wake up and smell the coffee, You Need a new Computer ;-)
This time last year I was Running a Quad Core 3.0 GHZ AMD With 8 Gig Of Ram.
This years Upgrade is an AMD Thuban 6 Core 3.4 GHZ and 16 GB of Ram.
Things are moving much faster lately in hardware selection and availability. |
John;
I agree. I just cannot afford to do so at this time. Heck, I can't even afford a cellphone.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 10:53 am
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I did my build last year off my SS Check, Ate Beans and Bought $200 -300 each month and with some help from my youngest daughter I was able to put my new Motherboard in my Ten Year Old Full Tower case with a new 850 watt Power Supply,640 gig WD Sata II hard Drive & 4 gig of memory, I had a Cheap Dual Core Processor to test the M/B with. So I had a working Dual Core in 2 months in a 10 year old case. Its now in a New Full Tower Case, New Keyboard (Illuminated)New Trackball, 4 WD 640 Gig Hardrives ( The Best) High Capacity CPU Cooler
After that I bought something new every month and ate beans.
I finished that one up in March this year with the purchase of Win 7 Ultimate Full Version.
This year I have the Processor ($300)and Motherboard ($160) already, The 16 Gig of Ram is Going to be a 2 month Purchase at approx $600.
Already my 3 kids are looking at my computer and wondering who will inherit it, None of them, My new 2 month old Granddaughter will. 
Its a HI Def TV, Audio/Video Recorder, Stereo, Entertainment Center, and my window to the world. I like my email to arrive fast. I'll just upgrade it every year until I get too old  |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 11:18 am
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| John Floyd wrote: |
| Its a HI Def TV, Audio/Video Recorder, Stereo, Entertainment Center, and my window to the world. I like my email to arrive fast. :lol: I'll just upgrade it every year until I get too old :roll: |
You da Man!
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 11:31 am
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| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| According to Microsoft, Msmpeng.Exe is the realtime monitor component of both Windows Live Once Care and Microsoft Security Essentials. |
Since I use Microsoft Security Essentials and MsMpeng.exe isn't running on my machine, I'd say your problem was with Windows Live Once Care. I don't and won't run Windows Live anything. |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 12:31 pm
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| Jim Smith wrote: |
| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| According to Microsoft, Msmpeng.Exe is the realtime monitor component of both Windows Live Once Care and Microsoft Security Essentials. |
Since I use Microsoft Security Essentials and MsMpeng.exe isn't running on my machine, I'd say your problem was with Windows Live Once Care. I don't and won't run Windows Live anything. |
Not sure what it may mean, but:
Msmpeng.exe is running on my machine and is currently taking about 58 MB of RAM.
I use Windows 7 and MSE.
I have had no issues at all with MSE on this PC, with 4 Gigs of RAM.
I have never used Windows Defender, Windows Live Once Care, or any other Microsoft security package. Nor any Windows Live anything. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 1:48 pm
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| Mitch Drumm wrote: |
| Jim Smith wrote: |
| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| According to Microsoft, Msmpeng.Exe is the realtime monitor component of both Windows Live Once Care and Microsoft Security Essentials. |
Since I use Microsoft Security Essentials and MsMpeng.exe isn't running on my machine, I'd say your problem was with Windows Live Once Care. I don't and won't run Windows Live anything. |
Not sure what it may mean, but:
Msmpeng.exe is running on my machine and is currently taking about 58 MB of RAM.
I use Windows 7 and MSE.
I have had no issues at all with MSE on this PC, with 4 Gigs of RAM.
I have never used Windows Defender, Windows Live Once Care, or any other Microsoft security package. Nor any Windows Live anything. |
Msmpeng.exe runs as a process once you install Microsoft Security Essentials, or Windows Defender. Since you have Windows 7, you automatically have Windows Defender. It is the heart of your security. Msmpeng.exe will scan every file you save or open, because it is the real time scanning component of Windows Defender, which is now part of your MSE program.
Your system is able to absorb it better than mine so you don't feel the load as much as I did.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 1 Aug 2010 10:51 am
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Jim:
Did you poke "show processes from all users" in the processes tab of task manager?
On my PC, if I don't poke it, I don't see msmpeng.exe either. |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2010 7:42 pm
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| Mitch Drumm wrote: |
Jim:
Did you poke "show processes from all users" in the processes tab of task manager?
On my PC, if I don't poke it, I don't see msmpeng.exe either. |
Give the man a cigar, that was it! MsMpEng.exe is running as a SYSTEM process, probably because it's a service. Duh! |
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