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Backup + Windows Defender - CPU usage

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Every time a backup takes place, the Windows Defender process "Antimalware Service Executable" hogs the CPU to an excessive degree. Using Process Monitor I can see it is scanning every file in the folder being backed up. While playing a game, this combination causes it to freeze for seconds at a time. I've always had trouble with Defender's CPU usage but it seems much worse recently and I've noticed this connection between it and the backup software. Have there been any changes to how the software works or how it and Defender interact? Is there any way to suspend all backups for a period of time?

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Andrew, I do not recall this being reported previously. Please confirm the Version and build of Windows you are using. I did a search with Bing and found several links on how to create exclusions. I suspect the only viable option would be (I think) to exclude the folder where the backups are located; not sure that excluding the Acronis executable will work.

I suggest waiting to see what other suggestions are forthcoming.

Ian

Excluding the Acronis executable definitely doesn't help. Excluding the folders being backed up would mean not doing virus checks on any of my important files. It's happening right now and the backup is in the phase "Calculating time remaining", I assume the software is scanning the contents of each file to see which files have changed. Some of these backups have over 100K small files. At the moment the only 'fix' I can think of is to set backups to run less frequently and at specific times, and not use the computer at those times, which isn't much of a solution.

Edition    Windows 10 Pro
Version    21H2
Installed on    ‎06/‎05/‎2021
OS build    19044.1766
Experience    Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4180.0

Andrew Gillett wrote:

.... Excluding the folders being backed up would mean not doing virus checks on any of my important files.

Does it help if you exclude the folder where the backup files are located, for example: D:\AcronisBackup\SytemDiskWeekly ?

I was not suggesting excluding the location that is being backed-up.

Ian

Andrew Gillett wrote:

The files are being backed up to the cloud.

I cannot think of anything else that would remedy the situation.

Ian