Specify the maximum percentage of CPU utilization during a scan: registry value AvgCPULoadFactorComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan

Policy ID: Scan_AvgCPULoadFactor
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Scan

Registry

AvgCPULoadFactor

-Computer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan Current key

AvgCPULoadFactor

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Specify the maximum percentage of CPU utilization during a scan
Value type: REG_DWORD
Minimum value: 0
Maximum value: 100

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"AvgCPULoadFactor"=dword:<enter value>

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan" /v "AvgCPULoadFactor" /t REG_DWORD /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Name 'AvgCPULoadFactor' -PropertyType DWord -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null