Fix: Xagt.exe Causing High CPU and Memory Usage

If you are someone who has installed the FireEye EndPoint Agent, you might have noticed “xagt.exe” in your Task Manager. You might have also noticed that it is causing high CPU and memory usage on your system. High CPU and memory usage can bottleneck your GPU and other components, making your PC slow and unresponsive.

Thankfully, it is quite easy to tackle down this problem. In this article, we will take a look at several possible ways to fix the “xagt.exe” causing high CPU and memory usage issues. You might also have many questions regarding “xagt.exe”; we’ll answer them too. Let’s get started!

What is Xagt.exe? Why is it Running on My PC?

There are plenty of users who have seen the process “xagt.exe” running on their PC and have had no idea what it is or why it’s using so much processing power. Xagt.exe is part of FireEye Endpoint Security, also called FireEye Endpoint Agent.

To protect computers from viruses, vulnerabilities, and future attacks, FireEye Endpoint Security provides a comprehensive solution. The “xagt.exe” process is a crucial part of this security suite, and its job is to keep an eye out for anything suspicious happening on your computer.

The “xagt.exe” process, which is associated with FireEye Endpoint Security, often causes excessive CPU use. Viruses, spyware, or problematic software installations can put a strain on “xagt.exe”, causing high CPU and memory usage.

Check if Xagt.exe is Genuine or Not

Certain viruses and malware attempt to avoid detection by disguising themselves as “xagt.exe”. If you notice a significant system load caused by “xagt.exe”, you can verify if it’s a virus using the following method:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Locate “xagt.exe” in the list of processes, then right-click on it.
Choose “Open file location” from the available options. This action will lead you to the file location of “xagt.exe”.
The file location should fall under one of the following two directories:

C:\Windows\System32

C:\Windows\SysWOW64

If the file location is different from the two mentioned above, run an antivirus scan immediately and remove the application from your computer.

9 Ways to Fix Xagt.exe High CPU and Memory Usage

There have been several reports from users getting high CPU and memory usage due to “xagt.exe”. This is a concerning issue as it can bottleneck your other components, such as the GPU or the hard drive. Here are ten ways to fix this issue and get your CPU and memory usage back to normal. Make sure to try all the solutions before you jump to the conclusion.

Fix 1: Run an SFC Scan

The “xagt.exe” high CPU and memory usage on Windows could be the result of damaged system files. Thankfully, running a check using a System File Checker scan (SFC) will help you find and repair any corrupted files that may be causing your CPU to work excessively. The SFC scan will check your entire system for corrupted data and replace it with fresh copies. Here’s how to run an SFC scan:

To access the Power User Menu, press the Windows key + X simultaneously.
Choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list of options. A Command Prompt with administrative rights will open.
Type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes) into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter to run the scan.
Starting immediately, the scan will run through all of the data on your computer, which could take some time.
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
You should no longer experience excessive CPU use once an SFC scan has corrected any “xagt.exe”-related file corruptions found.

It is important that you do not turn off your computer or interrupt the SFC scan while it is running. For best results, let the scan finish completely.

Fix 2: Run DISM Scan

If you’re still having trouble with “xagt.exe” ’s excessive CPU utilization or other symptoms on a Windows computer, a Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan may be able to fix any underlying system problems. The purpose of the DISM program is to restore and fix the Windows image. How to perform a DISM scan:

To access the Power User Menu, press the Windows key + X simultaneously.
Choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list of options. A Command Prompt with administrative rights will open.
Type the following commands one by one into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter after each:

DISM.exe /Online/Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM.exe /Online/Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Starting immediately, the scan will run through all of the data on your computer, which could take some time.
If corruption was identified and was able to be corrected by DISM, you will receive a notice when the scan completes.
The DISM scan’s modifications won’t take effect until you restart your PC.
After the restart, keep an eye on your CPU and memory usage to see if the “xagt.exe” problem persists.

Fix 3: Run CheckDisk Scan

Running a CHKDSK (Check Disk) scan may help find and correct any file system or disk-related problems if you continue to experience high CPU and memory usage. An integral part of Windows, CHKDSK checks for and repairs sector and file system corruption. This is how to start a CHKDSK check:

To access the Power User Menu, press the Windows key + X simultaneously.
Choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list of options. A Command Prompt with administrative rights will open.
Type the following command into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter: chkdsk /f
When prompted, enter “Y” to have the scan run automatically after the next system reboot. Depending on the size and health of your disk, this check could take some time.
Take note that CHKDSK will correct any problems it finds if you specify the “/f” option.
Your computer will restart after the CHKDSK check is complete.
After the restart, check the CPU and memory usage to see if the “xagt.exe” problem persists.

Fix 4: Update Windows

The “xagt.exe” process in Windows may be using too much CPU if you’re running an older version of Windows. The most recent Windows update often fixes this issue for good. If you want the best performance and security from your operating system, you need to make sure it’s always up to date. Follow these simple steps to update Windows:

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Go to the “Windows Update” tab from the left menu.
In the right pane, click on “Check for updates.” Windows will now look for any available updates.
Download and install any available updates.
The time required to finish the update may increase in proportion to the size and quantity of the changes.

After the update is installed, a restart of the device is required. To restart, save any open documents and go to Start > Click on Power icon > Restart.

Check if the “xagt.exe” problem still exists after you restart your computer. Updating to the latest version of Windows should fix the excessive CPU and memory usage issue. If the problem persists, move down to the next solution.

Fix 5: Reinstall FireEye EndPoint Agent

Another way is to uninstall the FireEye Endpoint Agent (“xagt.exe”) and reinstall it. The application’s corrupted or broken parts will be restored using this method. Follow the steps below to reinstall FireEye EndPoint Agent:

First, you need to uninstall the FireEye Endpoint Agent (“xagt.exe”) from your computer.
Simply use the Windows key + R to bring up the Run window.
When prompted, enter “appwiz.cpl” into the Run box and hit Enter.
This will open the “Programs and Features” or “Add or Remove Programs” window.
Find “FireEye Endpoint Agent” or “FireEye Endpoint Security” in the list of currently installed applications.
Choose “Uninstall” from the menu that appears when you right-click on the entry.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the uninstall.
Launch your preferred web browser and go to FireEye’s official website.
Find the FireEye Endpoint Agent or FireEye Endpoint Security download link that corresponds with your computer’s operating system.
Download the installer file to your PC by clicking the download link.
Locate the installer file on your computer and double-click it to begin the installation once the download is complete.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the installation.

Check if FireEye Endpoint Agent (“xagt.exe”) is operating normally and is no longer causing high CPU utilization or other difficulties once you have finished the reinstallation. Keep an eye on your CPU and memory usage levels for some time. If the issue still persists, move down to the next solution.

Fix 6: Uninstall FireEye EndPoint Agent

Uninstalling FireEye Endpoint Agent (“xagt.exe”) should be your last resort if you’ve tried all previous troubleshooting steps and are still seeing abnormally high CPU use or other problems. However, remember that disabling FireEye Endpoint Agent will remove the security it affords your PC. You can download another security software or use the built-in Windows Firewall instead. Here’s how to uninstall FireEye Endpoint Agent:

Simply use the Windows key + R to bring up the Run window.
When prompted, enter “appwiz.cpl” into the Run box and hit Enter.
This will open the “Programs and Features” or “Add or Remove Programs” window.
Find “FireEye Endpoint Agent” or “FireEye Endpoint Security” in the list of currently installed applications.
Choose “Uninstall” from the menu that appears when you right-click on the entry.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the uninstallation.

Take note that your PC might lose its protection from FireEye Endpoint Agent if you decide to uninstall it. If you want uninterrupted protection from cyber threats, you should switch to a different, trusted antivirus or anti-malware product.

Fix 7: Disable Xagt.exe

You can also turn off “xagt.exe” to get rid of the problem altogether. If you have tried other troubleshooting steps without success and do not rely on “xagt.exe” ’s functionality, then this solution may be for you. It is your own responsibility to disable “xagt.exe” because doing so could have unexpected results. Follow these steps to disable “xagt.exe”:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Locate “xagt.exe” in the list of processes, then right-click on it.
Click on End Task.
Now, go to the “Startup” tab and right-click on FireEye EndPoint Agent.
Click on Disable and check the CPU and memory usage in Task Manager to see if it has dropped.

Fix 8: Perform a System Restore

If you don’t want to permanently disable or uninstall “xagt.exe”, a System Restore can help. If you’re having trouble fixing any recent issue on your PC, you can use System Restore to roll back your device to a time before the problem started. Follow these steps to use Windows System Restore:

Click the Start button, then search for “System Restore.”
Now, click on “Create a restore point.”
Click on the “System Protection” tab.
To begin, click on “System Restore.”
Click the “Next” button to continue.
A list of backups will appear for you to choose from. Select a system restore point that was made before the “xagt.exe” high CPU and memory usage problem began.
Select “Next,” then “Finish,” to begin the System Restore procedure.
Once you do this, System restoration will begin the process of bringing your PC back to that time.
System Restore will complete in a few minutes, at which point your computer will restart by itself.
After the restart, examine the CPU and memory usage to see if the “xagt.exe” problem has been fixed.

Fix 9: Reset Your PC

If you’re still having performance issues and think “xagt.exe” is to blame, resetting your computer is a good all-around option. Resetting your computer will delete any corrupted “xagt.exe” files and return your PC to its factory settings, which may increase its speed and general performance.

A reinstallation of some of your programs will be necessary (after the reset), as this step will return your computer to its factory configuration. Make sure you have a backup copy of all your data before you do the reset. Here’s how to factory reset your PC:

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Select “System” on the left side and then “Recovery.”
From the right panel, click on “Reset PC” under “Reset this PC.”
Now, you need to decide whether or not to delete your files. We recommend you choose “Erase all content.” Clicking this will kick off a clean installation of Windows 11 on your PC.
Based on your needs and PC configuration, select either “Cloud reinstall” or “Local reinstall.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC. It’s possible that you’ll have to make some extra decisions, such as whether to delete everything on the drive or just Windows.
Stand by while the reset is being done. This could take some time, so please be patient.
Assuming “xagt.exe” was the cause of your PC’s high CPU and memory usage, resetting it should fix it.

How to Disable Xagt.exe On Windows?

Although “xagt.exe” may be required to keep your PC safe from malware, it is infamous as a resource hog that slows down your computer. Although disabling the service is an option, we advise trying the alternative options first. On Windows 11/10, you can disable “xagt.exe” in three different ways:

Method 1: End Task in Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Locate “xagt.exe” in the list of processes, then right-click on it.
Click on End Task.
If the problem still persists after you’ve killed the process, try restarting your computer.

Method 2: Disable At Startup

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Now, go to the “Startup” tab and right-click on FireEye EndPoint Agent.
Click on Disable and check the CPU and memory usage in Task Manager to see if it has dropped.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

To access the Power User Menu, press the Windows key + X simultaneously.
Choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list of options. A Command Prompt with administrative rights will open.
Enter the following command and hit Enter: schtasks /Create /RU SYSTEM /SC once /ST 23:00 /TN “Stop xagt”/TR “sc stop xagt”/F schtasks /Run /TN “Stop xagt”
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

These steps will prevent “xagt.exe” from running at system startup, which should result in a speed boost. Try reenabling “xagt.exe” or contacting Windows support or an IT professional if the problem persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Xagt.exe?

Xagt.exe is an executable file that is also known as “FireEye Endpoint Agent.” It is a component of FireEye Endpoint Security, a suite of programmes meant to safeguard computers from malicious software, security flaws, and other dangers. However, “xagt.exe” may occasionally use a lot of CPU time, which can slow down the system.

Is Xagt.exe malicious software or a virus?

In most cases, the “xagt.exe” file is not malicious software. It’s an authentic component of FireEye Endpoint Security, which helps keep your PC safe. However, malicious software may try to hide in plain sight by disguising itself as “xagt.exe”. If you notice unusually high CPU/memory usage or suspicious activity involving “xagt.exe”, you should run a full system scan using trusted antivirus software.

Is it safe to disable using Xagt.exe?

You should not disable “xagt.exe” unless you are sure that you will never use FireEye Endpoint Security’s services again. When it comes to keeping your PC safe and secure, “xagt.exe” could be important. If you turn it off, your system may be more susceptible to viruses and other malicious software. Nevertheless, there is no harm in most cases.

Can Xagt.exe negatively impact PC performance?

If “xagt.exe” uses too much CPU and memory, it can degrade the performance of your system. FireEye Endpoint Security relies on this procedure, but it can cause issues like slow performance or excessive CPU and memory usage in specific circumstances. If you’re having performance issues, you might want to look into some of the solutions we discussed.

Does Xagt.exe have any impact on my other programmes?

Xagt.exe is largely a background process that helps FireEye Endpoint Security function. It shouldn’t interfere with your computer’s other programmes. But if the process uses up too many resources, it could have a knock-on effect on the rest of the system and its functionality.

How can I differentiate between the actual Xagt.exe and malware disguised as Xagt.exe?

The file’s location and behaviour can help you tell the difference between the real “xagt.exe” and a malicious one. The correct location for “xagt.exe”, if it exists at all, is either the FireEye Endpoint Security folder or “C:WindowsSystem32.” Xagt.exe could be malicious if it is in an unidentified or suspicious folder.

Final Words

Xagt.exe is an executable file that is also known as “FireEye Endpoint Agent.” This service is infamous for its high CPU and memory usage. Several users have reported issues as it is a resource hog. Thankfully, it is easy to fix this issue. We have discussed nine ways to fix the issue and also answered some of your queries. We hope that your CPU and memory usage is now back to normal. Have you disabled “xagt.exe” or not? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!