The lsass.exe process is crucial for authenticating users and logging them onto their computers. It's also responsible for tracking security policies and generating log alerts for security events while you use your PC or laptop. 🔒💻

While this process is critical for proper device security, it can sometimes cause high CPU usage issues. Many Windows 11 users have recently reported the 'LSASS.EXE' issue with high CPU usage. 📈

Is lsass.exe a virus?

No, the original lsass.exe process isn't a virus or malware; sometimes, security threats can interfere with it. 🚫

The original location of lsass.exe is C:\Windows\System32 (if C: is your system's installation drive). If you find this file in a location other than the system drive, it's likely malware or a virus.

It's essential to check if there are two or more lsass.exe files running in Task Manager. If you find multiple versions, check their file paths. 🔍

Additionally, malware can trick you into thinking a fake lsass.exe isn't a virus by renaming the file something similar. The fake one will likely have a spelling mistake.

Below, we share some common mistakes malware can use to trick you into allowing the file to remain on your computer longer.

• lsass .exe
• lsassa.exe
• lsasss.exe
• Isassa.exe

If the original LSASS.exe file is using your CPU resources, you should follow these steps to troubleshoot the high CPU usage. Here are the best steps to take. 👇

1. Restart your Windows 11 computer

Sometimes, errors and glitches in the operating system can prevent lsass.exe from working properly, which could lead to high CPU usage issues.

Restarting your Windows 11 PC is the best way to eliminate these glitches. Restarting your computer regularly is a good practice you should incorporate into your daily routine. 🌟

It gives your machine time to cool down and frees up memory. To do this, click the Windows 11 power menu and select Reboot.

2. Run a full scan with Antivirus

As mentioned above, malware and viruses can disguise themselves on your machine as a real lsass.exe file. Therefore, it's important to ensure that the increase in CPU usage is legitimate. You can run a full antivirus scan to detect and remove all security threats from your computer. Here's how. 🦠

1. I typed “Windows Security” into Windows Search. Then, I opened the app. Windows Security from the list.

2. When Windows Security opens, select the tab Protection against viruses and threats.

3. Click on Analysis options in the section of Current threats.

4. Select Full analysis and click on Analyze now. 🚀

The Windows Security app will scan for and remove any hidden malware from your computer. This should remove all malicious lsass.exe files from your PC. 🛡️

3. Run a rootkit scan with Malwarebytes

While Windows Security is great for protecting your PC, some infected files can go undetected. To avoid the risk of rootkits, you should run a scan with Malwarebytes. Here's how. 🌐

1. Download and install Malwarebytes on your Windows 11 PC.

2. Once installed, open Malwarebytes.

3. In the left sidebar, click on Configuration.

4. Then, switch to the section Analysis and Detections.

5. In the Analysis Options, enable the toggle for 'Scan for rootkits'. 🔦

6. Then, go back to the main screen and click on Analyze. 🧐

Malwarebytes will perform a rootkit scan. Once the scan is complete, Malwarebytes will report any threats found and ask if you want to remove them. Remove rootkits. ❌🦠

4. Run the SFC/DISM command

System file corruption is another major reason for high CPU usage caused by lsass.exe. Therefore, you can try running the SFC utility on your computer. Here's how: 🔧

1. Type “Command Prompt” in the Windows 11 search. Then, right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

2. When Command Prompt opens, run this command:

sfc /scannow

3. If the utility of the verifier system files returns an error, run these three commands one by one.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After running all these commands, restart your Windows 11 PC. This should resolve the LSASS.EXE high CPU usage issue. 🔄

5. Update the Windows operating system

Keeping your operating system up to date has several advantages: you can enjoy new features, receive security updates, fix existing bugs and errors, and more. 🆕

It's a good security practice to always keep Windows 11 up to date. If the lsass.exe high CPU usage issue still persists, your version of Windows is more likely to be buggy. 🛠️

Therefore, you need to update your Windows 11 to fix the problem. You need to go to Configuration> Windows Updates> Check for updates to download and install all pending updates. ⚙️

6. Perform a System Restore

If nothing else worked for you, the next best option is to perform a system restore. However, this method won't be useful if you don't have restore points. 🔙

Only follow this method if you've already created a restore point. Here are the steps. 🔄

1. I typed “Recovery” into the Windows 11 search. Then, I opened the Recovery app from the settings list.

2. When the Recovery application opens, click on Open System Restore.

3. Select Choose a different restore point in the System Restore dialog box.

4. Now select the restore point created before the problem occurred. Once selected, click the button. Following.

5. On the confirmation screen, click the button Finish.

These are the best methods to fix the lsass.exe high CPU usage issue. If you followed all the methods carefully, chances are the problem is already fixed. If you need more help understanding lsass.exe in Windows 11, let me know! 🤗