Windows Defender is disrupting game performance.
Windows Defender is disrupting game performance.
For issues with Windows Defender, consider an in-place upgrade or repair installation. Using a Windows install USB, simply launch setup.exe inside Windows—it often fixes corruption or bugs. The same applies if you download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.com and run it. Ensure you choose "Keep Files and Apps" during setup to avoid altering your files or programs.
Connect as an administrator and execute Get-MpComputerStatus. If the system is operating normally, it will display the following information below.
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-MpComputerStatus
AMEngineVersion : 1.1.24080.9
AMProductVersion : 4.18.24080.9
AMRunningMode : Normal
AMServiceEnabled : True
AMServiceVersion : 4.18.24080.9
AntispywareEnabled : True
AntispywareSignatureAge : 0
AntispywareSignatureLastUpdated : 10/14/2024 11:19:40 PM
AntispywareSignatureVersion : 1.419.510.0
AVServiceEnabled : True
AVServiceSignatureAge : 0
AVServiceVersion : 4.18.24080.9
AntivirusEnabled : True
AVSignatureAge : 0
AVSignatureLastUpdated : 10/14/2024 11:19:36 PM
AVSignatureVersion : 1.419.510.0
BehaviorMonitorEnabled : True
ComputerID : **hidden-hidden-hidden-hidden**
ComputerState : 0
DefenderSignaturesOutOfDate : False
DeviceControlDefaultEnforcement : DeviceControlPoliciesLastUpdated : 3/26/2023 10:27:12 PM
DeviceControlState : Disabled
FullScanAge : 0
FullScanEndTime : 10/15/2024 5:31:15 PM
FullScanOverdue : False
FullScanRequired : False
FullScanSignatureVersion : 1.419.510.0
FullScanStartTime : 10/15/2024 10:52:54 PM
InitializationProgress : ServiceStartedSuccessfully
IoavProtectionEnabled : True
IsTamperProtected : True
IsVirtualMachine : False
LastFullScanSource : 1
LastQuickScanSource : 1
NISEnabled : True
NISEngineVersion : 1.1.24080.9
NISSignatureAge : 0
NISSignatureLastUpdated : 10/14/2024 11:19:36 PM
NISSignatureVersion : 1.419.510.0
OnAccessProtectionEnabled : True
ProductStatus : 524288
QuickScanAge : 0
QuickScanEndTime : 10/15/2024 4:52:39 PM
QuickScanOverdue : False
QuickScanSignatureVersion : 1.419.510.0
QuickScanStartTime : 10/15/2024 4:51:53 PM
RealTimeProtectionEnabled : True
RealTimeScanDirection : 0
RebootRequired : False
SmartAppControlExpiration : SmartAppControlState : Off
TamperProtectionSource : Signatures TDTCapable : N/A
TDTMode : N/A
TDTSiloType : N/A
TDTStatus : N/A
TDTTelemetry : N/A
TroubleShootingDailyMaxQuota : TroubleShootingDailyQuotaLeft : TroubleShootingEndTime : TroubleShootingExpirationLeft : TroubleShootingMode
TroubleShootingModeSource : TroubleShootingQuotaResetTime
TroubleShootingStartTime : PSComputerName: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/defenderupdates
Latest security intelligence update:
Version: 1.419.510.0
Engine Version: 1.1.24080.9
Platform Version: 4.18.24080.9
Released: 10/15/2024 12:05:03 PM
Documentation: Release notes
PS C:\Users\PC> Check system details
AM Engine Version: 1.1.24080.9
AM Product Version: 4.18.24080.9
Running Mode: Normal
Service Active: Enabled
Service Version: 4.18.24080.9
Antispyware: Active
Antispyware Age: 0
Last Updated: 15.10.2024 09:19:40
Antispyware Signature: 1.419.510.0
Antivirus: Enabled
Antivirus Age: 0
Signature Version: 1.419.510.0
Behavior Monitor: Active
Computer ID: 0EAC0F0C-E3A8-414A-8866-C8BF600DF6A9
Status: Normal
Defender Signatures: Up to date
Device Control: Default enforced
Policies Updated: 01.01.1601 05:00:00
Scan Age: 7
Scan Completed: Yes
Scan Time: 09.10.2024 09:19:39
Signature Version: 1.419.402.0
Start Time: 09.10.2024 09:11:31
Initialization: Successful
IoV Protection: Enabled
Is Tamper Protected: Yes
Virtual Machine: No
Last Full Scan: 1
Last Quick Scan: 2
NIS Engine: Enabled
NIS Version: 1.1.24080.9
Signature Age: 0
Signature Version: 1.419.510.0
Access Protection: Enabled
Product Status: 524288
QuickScan Age: 0
End Time: 15.10.2024 23:31:35
Start Time: 15.10.2024 23:30:57
Real-Time Protection: Active
Scan Direction: None
Reboot Required: No
Smart App Control Expiry: 14.11.2024 21:50:34
Control Type: UI TDTCapable
TDT Mode Supported: rsw
TDT Status: Disabled
Telemetry: Off
Trouble Shooting: Daily Max Quota 0
End Time: 15.10.2024 15:19:36
QuickScan Age: 0
Start Time: 15.10.2024 15:11:31
Based on the Defender status, everything appears fine with no detected issues. It won’t slow down processes or games unless you run a quick or full antivirus scan while playing. Such situations are very uncommon. I’m not claiming Defender is always at fault, since some users might face similar problems. Still, it’s wise to keep your device drivers current and the BIOS updated.
All systems are current with the newest update. I detailed the issue on Reddit and shared it here. The root cause is Windows Defender; turning it off resolves the stuttering.
So basically, I removed Windows Defender and switched to Kaspersky. And it worked perfectly—no issues with game performance! Everything functions as expected. I feel like this matter could be closed since there was no other choice; I had to manage things directly inside the OS, and removing the defender seemed like the best move for PC gaming.