msmpeng.exe - high handle count

[Homer J. Simpson]

As I'm writing this, msmpeng.exe (part of Windows Defender) is using over
3742 handles. The only process using more is System (currently showing
4475). Most other processes use well under 1000.

I'm not concerned about System, but I find it rather odd that Windows
Defender would have a real need to keep thousands of handles opened at once.

Process Explorer tells me that thousands of instances of these are opened
handles to HKCU and HKCU\Software\Classes.

Is this a known leak?

 

[PA Bear]

Microsoft has established separate newsgroups for Windows Defender support
and comments.

See
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/newsgroups/default.mspx

When you post to one of those newsgroups, state your Windows version, your
Defender version, and whether you're running OneCare, too.