What is wdavdaemon mac?
Updated: N/A
Published: Oct 10th, 2020
Applies to:
Microsoft Defender Endpoint* for Mac (MDE for macOS)
*==formerly Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection. (MDATP for macOS)
Audience:
Hi all,
Just like MDE for Linux (MDATP for Linux), just in case if you run into a high cpu utilization with WDAVDaemon, you could go thru the following steps:
You deploy MDE for Mac and a few of your Mac might exhibit higher cpu utilization by wdavdaemon (the MDATP daemon, and for those coming from the Windows world, a service).
It’s a balancing act of providing the protection and performance.
Even though we test different set of enterprise macOS application for compatibility reasons, the industry that you are in, might have a macOS application that we have not tested.
Security Administrators, Security Architects, and IT Administrators will need to tune these macOS systems to meet their specific needs.
Use the different diagnostic procedures below to identify the component that is causing the high cpu utilization.
The ISV (including in-house built apps) should be following the guide below of working with your Independent Software Vendor (ISV):
Partnering with the industry to minimize false positiveshttps://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2018/08/16/partnering-with-the-industry-to-minimize-false-positives/#:~:text=Partnering%20with%20the%20industry%20to%20minimize%20false%20positives,Defender%20ATP%29%20protect%20millions%20of%20customers%20from%20threats.
And submitting it to the Microsoft Defender Security Intelligence portal https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/filesubmission
Select “Software developer”.
Note: If for whatever reason, the ISV is not doing the submission, you should select “Enterprise customer”.
Check on your ISV’s website for a Knowledge base (KB) article for antimalware (and/or antivirus) exclusions.
If they have one and it states to exclude everything, then you should look at the “Work-around Alternate 2” below. Since you don’t want to punch a whole thru your defense.
If they don’t have a list, please open a support ticket with them. Meanwhile, to alleviate the problem you should look at “Work-around Alternate 2” below.
Remove “Real-Time Protection” protection out of the way.
Troubleshoot performance issues for Microsoft Defender ATP for Machttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-support-perf
Note: After going thru the steps above, don’t forget to re-enable Real-time protection in order for the data to collection to work.
Terminal (sudo/root)
mdatp config real-time-protection –value enabled
To find the applications that are triggering the most scans, you can use real-time statistics gathered by Microsoft Defender ATP for macOS.
Enable Real-time Protection Statistics:
Terminal (sudo/root)
mdatp config real-time-protection-statistics –value enabled
Note: In Production channel
Note 2: Not needed in Dogfood and InsidersFast channels since its enabled by default.
Note 3: The output of this command will show all processes and their associated scan activity. To improve the performance of Microsoft Defender ATP for macOS, locate the one with the highest number under the Total files scanned row and add an exclusion for it.
mdatp diagnostic real-time-protection-statistics –output json > real_time_protection_logs
Note: It’s going to be important to add the –output json in order to have it in json format, which the parser will be parsing.
mdatp config real-time-protection-statistics –value disabled
On your Windows system:
Create a folder in C:\temp\High_CPU_util_parser_for_macOS
From your macOS system, copy the outputreal_time_protection_logs to C:\temp\High_CPU_util_parser_for_macOS
Note: This parses json output format. If the output format is different, then you’ll need a different parser.
Note 2: This sample Powershell (PoSh) script is now available at https://github.com/MDATP/Scripts/blob/master/MDE_macOS_High_CPU_json_parser.ps1
#Clear the screenclear# Set the directory path where the output is located$Directory = “C:\temp\High_CPU_util_parser_for_macOS”# Set the path to where the input file (in Json format) is located$InputFilename = “.\real_time_protection_logs”# Set the path to where the file (in csv format)is located$OutputFilename = “.\real_time_protection_logs_converted.csv”# Change directorycd $Directory# Convert from json$json = Get-Content $InputFilename | convertFrom-Json | select -expand value# Convert to CSV and sort by the totalFilesScanned column## –NoTypeInformation switched parameter. This will keep the Type information from being written to the first line of the file. If the Type information is written, it will mess up the column display in Excel.### Optional, you could try using -Unique to remove the 0 files that are not part of the performance impact.$json |Sort-Object -Property totalFilesScanned –Descending | ConvertTo-Csv -NoTypeInformation | Out-File $OutputFilename -Encoding ascii#Open up in Microsoft ExcelInvoke-Item $OutputFilename
Save the file as MDE_macOS_High_CPU_json_parser.ps1 to C:\temp\High_CPU_util_parser_for_macOS
Note: You may want to first save it in Notepad or your preferred text editor, change UTF-8 to ANSI. Replace the double quotes (“) and the elongated dashes (-) before you try running the Powershell script.
Powershell (Run as admin)
MDE_macOS_High_CPU_parser.ps1Microsoft Excel should open up.
Add the path and/or path\process to the exclusion list.
These these:
Scan exclusionshttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#scan-exclusions
Type of exclusionhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#type-of-exclusion
Path to excluded contenthttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#path-to-excluded-content
Path type (file / directory)https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#path-type-file–directory
File extension excluded from the scanhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#file-extension-excluded-from-the-scan
Process excluded from the scanhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#process-excluded-from-the-scan
To your MDM management product:
Intune profilehttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#intune-profile-1
Property list for JAMF configuration profilehttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-preferences#property-list-for-jamf-configuration-profile-1
If you are setting it locally during a POC:
ConfigurationAdd/remove an antivirus exclusion for a file extensionmdatp exclusion extension --name
ConfigurationAdd/remove an antivirus exclusion for a filemdatp exclusion file --path
ConfigurationAdd/remove an antivirus exclusion for a directorymdatp exclusion folder --path
ConfigurationAdd/remove an antivirus exclusion for a processmdatp exclusion process --path mdatp exclusion process --name
ConfigurationList all antivirus exclusionsmdatp exclusion list
Reference:
Configuring from the command linehttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-atp/mac-resources#configuring-from-the-command-line
Thanks,
Yong
Twitter: @YongRheeMSFT
https://twitter.com/yongrheemsft
Are you worried about why the Mac Spotlight Search is not working correctly? Is your Mac running slower than usual? Can you hear the unpleasant noise of the fan at weird times?
While Mac is one of the finest technological products on the market, flaws are inevitable. After some usage, you can encounter different hardware and software problems. One such annoying yet fixable software issue is the Mds_Stores.
The occurrence of this software error leads to a wide range of consequences. For instance, you can experience freezing of the device or an extended CPU utilization. Do you want to know more about Mds_Stores? In that case, you have come to the right place!
Are you wondering what Mds_Stores is? If you are not too tech-savvy, seeing such a massive CPU utilization on one process can be jarring. Let's know more about this software problem.
The Mds_Stores is an in-built indexing process integrated into the Mac Spotlight Search. Here, the MDS stands for metadata server. The MDS tracks and maintains the data present on the Mac and is used by the macOS Spotlight. It is the responsibility of Mds_Stores to maintain and compile the data that MDS collects to make Spotlight more efficient.
Mds_Stores facilitates quick Spotlight search results. The recommendations you get when you type something into the Spotlight are due to the Mds_Stores. That makes it easier for you to complete the task.
In some cases, Mds_Stores can over-utilize the CPU resources, leading to issues. It can ultimately lead to the slowing down of the device. That is why it is vital to know why the Mds_Stores use so much CPU. You also need to understand the various ways the issue can be resolved.
If you are curious why Mds_Stores have such high CPU usage, it's not absurd. Spotlight utilized the Mds_Stores to track the metadata indexed on your device. That way, the search is more efficient for the users.
Constant addition, removal, or even editing of the contents on the system overworks the Mds_Stores. It compels the process to use more CPU to keep track of the changes you make. That is why more change to the data equals more CPU usage.
There are mainly two reasons that explain why Mds_Stores use so much CPU. Firstly, the increasing content or data on your Mac leads to this issue. The other reason is the constant changes made to the content on the device,
Another reason could be the work of some third-party software or even system bugs. Once you note the unusual CPU usage, you need to fix it right away.
If you are interested in getting more details about Windows high CPU usage, read the article shown below:
Methods to fix the Mds_Stores high CPU usage on Mac
There are multiple ways you can resolve the high CPU usage by Mds_Stores on the Mac. Check out some methods listed here.
One of the most straightforward fixes you can adopt to resolve the issue is to reboot the Mac. It is a blanket solution for a wide range of Mac issues. Opt for rebooting immediately if you encounter the Mds_Stores error via the Activity Monitor.
For that, you need to press the Control and Power button at the same time. Then, press the Restart option to proceed with rebooting. After it is done, go to the Activity Monitor again. If you see a reduction in CPU consumption, the issue is resolved.
If not, you can follow the solutions mentioned below.
Another easy solution to this Mds_Stores error is to disable Spotlight. For that, you need to adopt the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Go to Desktop and launch the Finder app. Tap on the Applications folder. Upon expansion, you will need to search for the Utilities option. Select it.
Step 2: Now, press the Terminal app. Please wait for it to open. Type the following command in the terminal windows, and press the Enter key.
Step 3: If asked, you must provide the Admin password. Press the Enter key again. Now, visit the Activity monitor and see if the issue is resolved.
Another solution you can try to resolve the Mds_Stores error is to stop Spotlight temporarily. After that, you need to restart it immediately. Here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Open the Finder app. Then go to the Applications section, and launch the Utilities app.
Step 2: Click on the "Terminal" option, type the following command and press the Enter key.
Step 3: Now enter the Admin password. Press the Enter key again and restart the device. After this, you must restart the Spotlight.
Step 4: Go to the Finder app, click on the "Applications", and open the Utilities app.
Step 5: Click the "Terminal" option, type the following command, and press the Enter key.
Step 5: Now enter the Admin password, press the Enter key again, and restart the device. Now, go to Activity Monito and see if the issue is fixed.
The Mds_Stores error is a typical software issue in Mac. It results in high CPU usage and can slow down the system considerably. That is why you need to fix the problem immediately. Luckily, there are various solutions you can use for this issue. However, if none of the solutions work, get in touch with a professional.
The Mds_Stores error is an annoying software issue on Mac. That is why gathering more information is a great idea. Read the questions and answers given below to know more.
1. How long does MDS & Spotlight take to finish indexing?
MDS & Spotlight can take 15 to 45 minutes to finish indexing. It might even take hours, depending on how much indexing is done.
Applies to:
This topic provides some general steps that can be used to narrow down performance issues related to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on macOS.
Depending on the applications that you're running and your device characteristics, you may experience suboptimal performance when running Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on macOS. In particular, applications or system processes that access many resources over a short timespan can lead to performance issues in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on macOS.
Applies to:
Real-time protection (RTP) is a feature of Defender for Endpoint on macOS that continuously monitors and protects your device against threats. It consists of file and process monitoring and other heuristics.
The following steps can be used to troubleshoot and mitigate these issues:
Applies to:
The Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Client Analyzer (MDECA) can collect traces, logs, and diagnostic information in order to troubleshoot performance issues on onboarded devices on macOS.
To run the client analyzer for troubleshooting performance issues, see Run the client analyzer on macOS and Linux.
I find an antivirus on a developer's mac to be an exaggeration. Really, if you are getting a virus on macOS, that means that you had to disable the default protection and literally run it yourself. At this point, you could also write a script that dumps sensitive data of your company over some tunnel. In other words: it's all your fault.
At the same time, I don't care that much about antiviruses per see. They are just additional pain in the ass, similar to agile ceremonies. However, they can significantly slow you down in some cases (yes, even more than agile ceremonies). For example, I had an experience with McAfee, where software projects would build extremely slow, as the antivirus had to check each downloaded dependency and build file. And while it was super-easy to find a way to kill the McAfee agent, that was not the case with Microsoft Defender. Gosh, I had to spend an hour to figure out how to do that. So here is a guide so you can save some time.
Microsoft includes a handy CLI tool mdatp, that has a simple command that should turn off automatic scanning:
sadly, in case the antivirus was installed automatically on your machine, the CLI tool will refuse to disable the scanning and tell you
This statement is hilarious. Guys, I have sudo rights. I can re-write all the bits of your fucking software. Anyway, let's continue to dig into how the antivirus keeps itself alive.
The Microsoft Defender is launched by launchctl and kept alive, so the system will restart the process if you try to kill it. Instead, you can tell launchctl to unload the Microsoft Defender service. The service name is com.microsoft.wdav.tray, and in my case, the configuration was located in
Thus, to stop the antivirus, simply run:
Please, notice that I didn't need to run in as sudo, but it may be different in your case. This command will unload the service until the next restart. If you want the unloading to persist over restarts, run it with the -w flag (but be careful not to upset your management too much).
It is helpful to add an alias like
I've recently changed to a new macOS machine and updated it to. Resources for Microsoft Defender ATP for Mac, including how to uninstall it, how to collect diagnostic logs, CLI commands, and known issues. Learn how to install, configure, update, and use Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection for Mac. *Please note: Microsoft is supporting Defender ATP on macs running the 3 most recent versions of macOS: 10. While Microsoft did release a MacOS agent last year, the real gap in the portfolio.
If you are reading this article, most probably, your macOS 10.15 has been slowed down, and you often face a spinning pinwheel of death while doing your routine work on your Mac. If you are facing such an issue and looking to solve high CPU usage on macOS 10.15, this article has everything to facilitate you. In this article, we'll discuss the reasons for high CPU usage and the tips to fix CPU usage even without apps running.
There are several reasons that are responsible for high CPU usage. Some of them are:
Sometimes, when macOS 10.15 receives updates, especially security updates, it may result in high CPU usage. This update not only slows down your Mac but also produces a lot of heat, and it looks like there is an oven within your laptop.
If you have installed some third-party software and extensions, most probably they are the culprit and using extra resources from your system.
Well, if you have several heavy apps in your system such as Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and other graphic designing apps, and you have opened all of them simultaneously, it may result in high CPU usage.
When we install an app, most probably a third-party app, it is added as a startup app, and whenever you turn on your system, this app loads along with the OS. So, this app keeps running without your knowledge and increases CPU usage.
If your system is running slow and producing a lot of heat, that is more likely due to high CPU usage. Also, its fan produces sound like it is going to take off soon.
You need to open the Activity Monitor to find out the reasons. If you already have worked on Windows-based systems, the Activity Monitor is equivalent to the Task Manager.
To open Activity Monitor, click Applications > Utilities. (Quick Tip: Pin it to your dock, so it is easily accessible anytime)
Now, in the Activity Monitor, you'll see several columns. For now, ignore other columns and click on CPU to rearrange all the processes based on their CPU usage in descending order, which means the process which is using more resources, will be on top and so on. Here, you'll be able to find the apps which are consuming most of your resources.
Once you are done with it, it is time to fix high CPU usage on macOS 10.15. So, let's find how you can do it.
You are not running any app, but your system is extremely slow, or when you turn on your system, it remains slow for a long time without any reason.
Solution:
Open the Activity Monitor and click on CPU. Once all the apps are arranged in descending order, check for the apps which you haven't launched but are still running. If found one or more than one, terminate them by clicking on its process and then click "X" in the top left corner. Once you kill all the unnecessary apps, your system must be working fine.
Note: If you witness the "Kernel_task," which usually consumes lots of resources, leave it as it is. You can't terminate this process because it is the Operating System itself.
You have installed several 3rd party apps or extensions which are consuming most of your CPU.
Solution:
First, make sure that the 3rd party extensions you have installed are necessary for you. If not, you should uninstall them from your system. If the extensions are necessary, still try to find some other extensions that are compatible with your system in order to get rid of the vulnerable extension.
Your system's fan is producing lots of noises and heat, as well as; your system is slow.
Solution:
It may be either a 3rd party extension or you may be running multiple apps at the same time. Also, there may be several apps running in the background without your consent. In such a case, open Activity Monitor and eliminate all the unnecessary apps which are running in the background but are not needed. Remember, the "Kernel task" is a system process, and you cannot stop it.
Pro Tip: If your fan keeps generating noises and heat after killing all the apps, there may either be a problem with the hardware or your fan may have stuck in dust. In this case, you may need to get your system checked by a hardware specialist.
You have just received an OS update, and after the update, your system became slow.
Solution:
One thing to remember here is that the computers usually slow down after the updates because they may install some security and other extensions that are necessary for your system. So, you can adjust that using the tricks below.
So, friends, these were the case scenarios of your system's high CPU usage, its diagnosis, and handy solutions. We are sure that now you can solve high CPU usage on macOS 10.15 by yourself, and you don't need to waste your time finding other tutorials on the internet.
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