How system utilization works

System utilization (throttling) determines the amount of CPU time allotted during an on-demand scan.

The on-demand scanner uses the Windows Set Priority setting for the scan process and thread priority.

Note
Each task runs independently, unaware of the limits for other tasks.

System utilization settings

System utilization setting	This option...	Best practices
Low	Provides improved performance for other running applications. Sets the number of threads for the scan to 1.	Select this option for systems with end-user activity.
Below normal	Sets the number of threads for the scan to be equal to the number of CPUs. Is the default setting for the preconfigured Full Scan and Quick Scan on-demand scans.
Normal	Enables the scan to complete faster. Sets the number of threads for the scan to twice the number of CPUs. Is the default setting for custom on-demand scans.	Select this option for systems that have large volumes and little end-user activity.

CPU usage during scans

You can use the Windows Task Manager to view CPU utilization consumed by the Trellix Scanner service process (mcshield.exe).

The scan process for Full Scan and Quick Scan on-demand scans runs at low priority. But, if no other processes are running during a scan, the mcshield.exe process might consume a higher amount of CPU resources. If any other processes make system requests, mcshield.exe releases the CPU resources.