Plesk interface is slow: High CPU usage from MsMpEng.exe

Symptoms

• Websites are loading and working well, but Plesk is slow

• MsMpEng.exe (Windows Defender anti malware process) shows high CPU and disk load in the Resource Monitor when using the Plesk interface

  

Cause

Windows Defender is checking all actions Plesk takes, which slows down interaction with Plesk.

Resolution

Exclude the Plesk installation directories from Windows Defender.

1. Review and note down the directories to exclude:
   Which directories should be added to antivirus exclusion on a Plesk for Windows server?
2. Follow Microsoft's official guide to exclude them from Windows Defender:
   Configure custom exclusions for Microsoft Defender Antivirus - Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Learn