CPU throttling type
- Policy ID
- Scan_ThrottleForScheduledScanOnly
- Scope
- Computer Configuration
- Supported on
- At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Version 1607
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Scan
Description
This policy setting determines whether the maximum percentage CPU utilization permitted during a scan applies only to scheduled scans, or to both scheduled and custom scans (but not real-time protection). The maximum CPU utilization limit is also referred to as CPU throttling, or a CPU usage limit.
The default value for this policy setting is True, which means CPU throttling is applied only to scheduled scans.
If you either enable or do not configure this setting, CPU throttling will apply only to scheduled scans.
If you disable this setting, CPU throttling will apply to scheduled and custom scans.
Registry
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- ThrottleForScheduledScanOnlyREG_DWORD