Windows Defender high CPU VPS, fix antivirus lag VPS, NinjaTrader slow performance VPS
“Learn how to fix high CPU usage on Windows VPS caused by Windows Defender and antivirus lag. Optimize your VPS for faster NinjaTrader performance with these proven tips.”
Common Symptoms
- CPU usage spikes to 90–100% at startup.
- NinjaTrader or MultiCharts freezes during calculation.
- Constant lag even when running only a few charts or strategies.
- Open Windows Security
Click the Start Menu → type Windows Security → press Enter.
- Go to Virus & Threat Protection
- In the left-hand menu, click Virus & threat protection.
- Open Manage Settings
- Scroll down to Virus & threat protection settings.
- Click Manage settings.
- Adjust Real-time Protection
- You can temporarily turn off Real-time protection before launching NinjaTrader and turn it back on afterward.
- This prevents Defender from scanning all files during startup.
- Manage Startup Processes
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Disable apps that you don’t need to start with Windows.
Add Exclusions for Trading Apps
- Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
- Go to: Virus & Threat Protection → Manage Settings → Exclusions.
Add exclusions for:
- NinjaTrader or MultiCharts installation folder
- Data folders (e.g., Documents\NinjaTrader
- Click Virus & threat protection
- Click manage settings
- Click add or remove Exclusions
- Click add an exclusion
- And Click Folder
- Click NinjaTrader 8
- And Select Folder
- Click NinjaTrader 8 Backup
- And Select Folder
- And Complete Add Exclusions
Schedule Scans for a Different Time
- Open Task Scheduler
- Navigate to: Task Scheduler Library → Microsoft → Windows → Windows Defender
- Double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan and change the schedule to a time when you don’t use the VPS (e.g., at night).
- Click Create basic Task
- Enter the name Windows Defender Scheduled Scan
- Click Next
- Choose which Task you will use.
- Click Next
- Choose Recur every
- Click Next
- Select Start a Program
- Click Next
- Run Scan Manually with Command Line
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe"
-Scan -ScanType 1
And Click Next
- Click Finish
- Select Run whether user is logged on or not
- And Click Ok
- Enter the password and click OK.
- Look, it's ready Windows Defender Scheduled Scan
And finally restart the vps
I hope the problem is resolved.
Updated on: 27/09/2025
Thank you!