Stop Microsoft Defender from scanning during games: scheduled scans and the CPU limit
Short answer
UpdatedMicrosoft Defender runs scheduled scans in the background and may use half the processor while it does. This tweak disables the scheduled scan tasks and lowers Defender's scan processor limit to 10 percent. Real-time protection stays on.
What it does
Microsoft Defender runs scheduled scans in the background and may use half the processor while it does. This tweak disables the scheduled scan tasks and lowers Defender's scan processor limit to 10 percent. Real-time protection stays on.
In the app the switch is called "Tame Defender Scans", described there as: Disables Defender scheduled scans and caps scan CPU load at 10 percent.
When it helps, and when it hurts
When it helps
- Sudden frame drops that line up with a Defender scan (Antimalware Service Executable in Task Manager).
When it hurts
- No automatic full scans: files that were on the PC before a threat was known are only checked when you scan by hand.
- Run a manual scan now and then.
What it writes
Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.
This tweak has no fixed list of registry values to print here: it works through a driver's own settings, scheduled tasks or values that differ from PC to PC (per device, per adapter or per installed game). The app reads what your PC has and changes only that.
How to undo it
In the app: Yes
Switching it off turns the scheduled Defender scans back on and sets the scan CPU limit back to 50 percent, the value Windows ships with.
Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks.
Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.
Verdict
A reasonable trade, because real-time protection is untouched. Do not combine it with switching Defender off.
Questions
- Is "Tame Defender Scans" safe to switch on?
- A reasonable trade, because real-time protection is untouched. Do not combine it with switching Defender off. The main cost: No automatic full scans: files that were on the PC before a threat was known are only checked when you scan by hand.
- How do I undo it?
- Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off turns the scheduled Defender scans back on and sets the scan CPU limit back to 50 percent, the value Windows ships with.
- Is "Tame Defender Scans" free in Frozen Tweaks?
- It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.
In the app
- Switch
- Tame Defender Scans
- Category
- Security
- Plan
- Pro
- Undo
- Yes
Related guides
More tweak explainers
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- SmartScreenSmartScreen checks downloaded programs and websites against Microsoft's reputation service before they open. What it changes, when it hurts, and how to undo it.3 min read
- Remote Registry and Remote AssistanceRemote Registry lets another computer on the network edit this PC's registry, and Remote Assistance lets someone you invite control it.2 min read
Written by
Frost LIVEFounder of Frozen Tweaks, based in Hamburg, Germany. Publishes settings guides for competitive games on his YouTube channel, Frost LIVE.
In the app
- Category
- Security
- Plan
- Pro
- Undo
- Yes
Frozen Tweaks
Free for Windows 10 and 11
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.
The free Windows app for competitive games.
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Frozen Tweaks runs on Windows. Send the link to your PC and download it there.
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.