Windows Defender MsMpEngCP Question


mccmw

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OS
Windows 11
It is well known that several (but especially Windows Defender) uses a lot of memory...it seems to be a little more since I upgraded to 24H2. I was tempted to try the MsMpEngCP and MsMpEng exclusion trick to see if that reduced it. However, when I did a search for those files I noticed that there are multiple copies...including some old ones. Can someone, perhaps with a fresh install, tell me which of these locations is the active location and whether I need/can delete the extras?

ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows Defender/Scans (this one dated Feb 2024)
Windows/Microsoft Antimalware/Scans (this one dated Feb 2022)
Windows/System32/MRT/xxx_ (a bunch of numbers and letters) (this one dated June 2024)
Two different versions in Windows prefetch (current)
Two different versions at ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\MsMpEngCP.exe.XXX(numbers and letters)...one from early October and one from Feb 2024

I'm just curious if I have orphans to clean up or this is normal.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime Z-270A
    Memory
    32GB 2666Mhz (Kingston Hyper X Fury)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Nvidia 1050Ti
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung C27F390
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB Western Digital SN770 (System) and 2TB Western Digital SN770 (Storage)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell/XPS 15 9510
    CPU
    i9-11900H
    Motherboard
    Unknown
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel and Nvidia 3050Ti
    Sound Card
    Integrated (Realtek)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    None
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (non-Touch)
    Hard Drives
    2TB SK Hynix P41 Platinum
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
I did a clean install 8 days ago. Not sure I can be of any help though.

ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows Defender/Scans (this one dated Feb 2024)
I have this folder but I am denied access to it. Folder properties says 0 bytes.

Windows/Microsoft Antimalware/Scans (this one dated Feb 2022)
no folder by this name in C:\windows


Windows/System32/MRT/xxx_ (a bunch of numbers and letters) (this one dated June 2024) folder exists but is empty


Two different versions in Windows prefetch (current) In C:\Windows \Prefetch
I do not see anything I recognize as belonging to Defender. Everything I recognize in this folder is 3rd party app related



Two different versions at ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows
Defender\Scans\MsMpEngCP.exe.XXX(numbers and letters)...one from early October and one from Feb 2024 This is related to the same master folder path as the first one above. I am denied access to this folder but folder properties show 0 bytes
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4652
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26100.4061

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