On-demand scan performance has deteriorated with the release of VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 Patch 4

Technical Articles ID: KB81698
Last Modified: 1/23/2020

Environment

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise (VSE) 8.8 Patch 4

For details of VSE 8.x supported environments, see KB51111.

Summary

The on-demand scanner (ODS), introduced in VSE 8.8 Patch 3, underwent some reconstruction in how it manages scan threads. The change was an effort to resolve a reported symptom of high memory use from the Scan32 or Scan64 process. Memory use was reported in the gigabyte ranges, which was very high. The solution implemented was to reduce the number of available scan threads. The result was that the ODS took longer to complete the same scan tasks. This deterioration of performance continues to exist in VSE 8.8 Patch 4.

Problem

On-demand scan times have markedly increased after you installed VSE 8.8 Patch 4.

System Change

You installed VSE 8.8 Patch 4.

Cause

The Patch 4 implementation takes noticeably longer to complete the same scan job because the Scan32.exe or Scan64.exe process is now using a reduced number of threads to perform the scan.

Solution

This issue was resolved in VSE 8.8 Patch 5.

Issue resolutions in updates and major releases are cumulative; Technical Support recommends that you install the latest version. To find the most recent release for your product, visit the Product Downloads site at http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/downloads.aspx.

NOTE: When you upgrade to VSE 8.8 Patch 5, the following registry values are removed on your system:

For 32-bit OS: HKLM\SOFTWARE\McAfee\DesktopProtection\Tasks
For 64-bit OS: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432node\McAfee\DesktopProtection\Tasks

dwUserDefinedMaxThreads
dwMaxThreadsLow
dwMaxThreadsBelowNormal
dwMaxThreadsNormal

Related Information

When you undertake performance testing and compare to previous VSE versions or patch levels, McAfee advises that you run multiple test passes and identify the average scan time.

Affected Products

Known Issue/Product Defect
VirusScan Enterprise 8.8

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On-demand scan performance has deteriorated with the release of VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 Patch 4

Environment

Summary

Problem

System Change

Cause

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

Title

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On-demand scan performance has deteriorated with the release of VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 Patch 4

Environment

Summary

Problem

System Change

Cause

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

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Title

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