Startup slowed by Defender?

[Patrick_NY]

Why is Defender taking 100% of my cpu for a few minutes every time I start? I
have scans turned off. Msmpeng.exe runs and prevents other programs from
opening. Strange for an application whose premise is that it is preventing
other programs that can slow your startup.
This happens on two computers, both XP Pro.
I don't see any other options I can change except to turn Defender off.

 

[Alan]

A few months ago, I found that was happening on 3 of my machines -- all
running XP Home SP3 and fully patched.

As Windows Defender didn't seem to be particularly effective anyway compared
to the other free products such as Malwarebytes, Spyware Blaster, Spybot
S&D, SuperAntiSpyware, and Avast, I just uninstalled WD.

All is now well.

Alan

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Which antivirus software/security suite or other security software is
installed, Patrick.
-=-

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I've seen the suggestion that a problem with update installation might have
this effect.

You might try going to the security
portal--www.microsoft.com/security/portal

and downloading the current definitions for Windows Defender and installing
them, just to see whether that manual action makes any difference to the
subsequent behavior.

 

[Patrick_NY]

It's one of the half dozen mainstream products. Is there a list of compatible
and incombatible products?

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Hi Patrick,

When asking about a problem, it's better if you answer the questions asked.

The fewer details you provide, the more generic your answers will be

Look here, maybe you find the “one of the half dozen mainstream products.â€

<http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...643f&mid=58855769-7ffd-4c3b-afc4-ae09c4e3643f>


Good luck
-=-