What is avp.exe (Kaspersky) & its High CPU and Disk Usage

Published by Nyau Wai Hoe - Updated on

The avp.exe process is an important part of Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Anti-Virus. These are popular antivirus programs made by a Russian company called Kaspersky Lab. This file is super important for the antivirus to work right on computers with Windows 11 and Windows 10. It helps check for viruses as they happen and keeps the antivirus knowing the latest viruses.

But, some people have noticed that it can make their computer slow because it uses a lot of CPU, memory, and disk space. We’ll talk about what avp.exe is, why it might use a lot of resources, and how you can fix it.

What is avp.exe Kaspersky

What is avp.exe?

avp.exe is a file that Kaspersky Lab uses in its antivirus programs. The name avp.exe means AntiVirus Process, and it gives you a hint about what it does. It checks your computer for dangers, protects you as you use the computer, and updates the antivirus to know about new viruses.

This file works in the background so you can keep using your computer without any trouble. But, if it finds something bad, it will act fast to protect your computer. It also makes sure your antivirus knows the latest virus info by downloading updates.

avp.exe Kaspersky Antivirus

Also, avp.exe updates your virus info. When new bad stuff like viruses or malware comes out, Kaspersky Lab adds them to its list of known threats. avp.exe makes sure your antivirus gets these updates quickly.

Related resource: How to Disable Kaspersky Notification in Windows 11

Is avp.exe a virus or malware?

The real avp.exe file from Kaspersky antivirus is not a virus or malware. But, bad guys can make harmful programs that look like avp.exe to trick you.

Is avp.exe a virus or malware

If you see avp.exe in a strange place on your computer, not in the normal Kaspersky Lab folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab), it might be bad. In this case, you should use your antivirus to check your whole computer. If you think avp.exe is infected, let your antivirus program take care of it.

Also see: How to Scan an .exe File for Viruses to Check If It’s Safe

Why avp.exe causes high CPU, memory, and disk usage

avp.exe is always working to keep your computer safe from viruses. It checks files, protects you in real time, and updates virus info, which uses a lot of resources. But this should only happen sometimes, not all the time.

avp.exe high CPU Memory Disk usage

  • During system scans, avp.exe checks every file, which can use a lot of resources.
  • When updating virus info, avp.exe can use a lot of your computer’s power.
  • Real-time protection means avp.exe is always checking files and software you’re using, which can also increase resource use.

Useful tip: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11

How to mitigate high resource usage by avp.exe

If avp.exe is making your computer slow by using too much CPU, memory, or disk space, here are some ways to help:

  1. Make sure your Kaspersky antivirus is up to date. Check for updates in the “Security” section to keep things running smoothly.Update avp.exe Kaspersky Antivirus
  2. Change how often and when your antivirus scans. Schedule scans for when you’re not using your computer much, and consider quick scans over full scans to lessen the impact.Change Kaspersky Antivirus Scan Schedule Settings
  3. You can tell your antivirus not to check certain files or folders if you know they’re safe. This can help reduce how much power avp.exe uses.Manage Kaspersky Antivirus exclusions of files, folders or applicationsavp.exe Windows 11 and 10
  4. With Kaspersky Internet Security, you can choose which apps avp.exe should watch over. Limiting this can help use less resources.Kaspersky Internet Security Application Control
  5. If these steps don’t help, contact Kaspersky Support for more advice.

Additional suggestion: How to Disable Kaspersky VPN / Password Manager

How to stop avp.exe process

It’s not easy to just end the avp.exe process from the Task Manager because it’s a key part of Kaspersky Antivirus or Internet Security. If you try, you might see a message that says, “The operation could not be completed. Access is denied.” This happens because avp.exe is meant to keep running to protect your computer.

The only full way to stop avp.exe is to uninstall Kaspersky Antivirus or Internet Security. But remember, doing this takes away the protection it offers. So, it’s a good idea to have another antivirus ready to go if you remove it.

How to stop avp.exe process

To remove Kaspersky, go to the “Control Panel” > “Programs and Features”. Find Kaspersky in the list, select it, and press “Uninstall”. Follow the steps to get it off your computer. After it’s gone, restart your computer to make sure everything related to the software is completely removed.

To conclude

So, avp.exe is a big part of keeping your computer safe with Kaspersky’s antivirus tools. It can make your computer use more CPU, memory, and disk space because it’s always working to protect you. But, if you follow the tips we talked about, you can keep your computer running smoothly.

Always keep your Kaspersky antivirus updated and set up right for the best mix of safety and good computer performance. And if you ever decide to stop using avp.exe, be ready with another way to keep your computer safe.


Nyau Wai Hoe
Nyau Wai Hoe is the Founder and Chief Editor of WindowsDigitals.com. With a degree in software engineering and over 12 years of experience in the tech support industry, Nyau has established himself as an expert in the field, with a primary focus on the Microsoft Windows operating system. As a tech enthusiast, he loves exploring new technologies and leveraging them to solve real-life problems.

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