Serious Discussion McAfee high memory usage of Neo Component Host

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Jiminy

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Apr 1, 2014
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With my McAfee Total Protection version 1.31.148, I noticed two lines in Windows Task Manager:
McAfee Framework Host Service
McAfee Neo Component Host
My question is about the memory usage shown for the Neo Component Host; it varies a lot during the same session : 667 Mo, 1519, 882, 456, ...
Sometimes it starts at 5.6 Mo. I have seen a high of 2324 Mo.

If I kill this task, McAfee seems to continue working as usual.

What is the function of this Neo Component Host ?
 

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I suggest you first remove McAfee without a trace, follow this article.

Next, run the all AVs removal tool
Thread 'Antivirus Removal Tool - The technician friendly tool to detect and completely remove antivirus software.'
Antivirus Removal Tool - The technician friendly tool to detect and completely remove antivirus software.

The issue could be due to outstanding kernel drivers and other remnants from security software.

Update Windows as well and ensure you aren’t using Insider Previews — these are not officially supported by AVs.

Then in the end, reinstall McAfee.
 
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I'm back with the same problem.
I asked for an update and McAfee installed the version 1.31.148.
The Neo Component Host started at 5.6 MB, but a few minutes later it went to 461 MB

I can kill this task and McAfee seems to continue working normally.
I wonder what is the function of this Neo Component Host ?
If I kill it permanently (by simply renaming its file), will it lower the efficiency of McAfee ?
 
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Jiminy said:
I'm back with the same problem.
I asked for an update and McAfee installed the version 1.31.148.
The Neo Component Host started at 5.6 MB, but a few minutes later it went to 461 MB

I can kill this task and McAfee seems to continue working normally.
I wonder what is the function of this Neo Component Host ?
If I kill it permanently (by simply renaming its file), will it lower the efficiency of McAfee ?
Click to expand...
I guess ask McAfee support. Or submit feedback? See what they have to say
 
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Jiminy said:
I'm back with the same problem.
I asked for an update and McAfee installed the version 1.31.148.
The Neo Component Host started at 5.6 MB, but a few minutes later it went to 461 MB

I can kill this task and McAfee seems to continue working normally.
I wonder what is the function of this Neo Component Host ?
If I kill it permanently (by simply renaming its file), will it lower the efficiency of McAfee ?
Click to expand...
You can’t destroy the Neo Host, there are 2 copies of it and McAfee will download another one. It’s not gonna let you run it without Neo Host.

If you break it down, Neo is the engine. Host means it loads dll files (whenever a programming logic is not in an executable but in a dll, a host is used to run the dll).

In this case I am not sure what’s going on, McAfee is experiencing a stubborn bug.

It could be something due to your overall software configuration.
 
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Contacted McAfee service client and described my problem.
Their answer is that it is normal to fight against malwares and that I should not kill the Neo Component Host.
 
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I reformulate my previous message.

I contacted McAfee service client by phone and I described my problem of heavy memory consumption.

Their answer was that the memory consumption is normal and nothing to be worried about. It is necessary to fight against malwares. And I should not kill the Neo Component Host.

I suppose that I will get used to this memory consumption ...
 
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Jiminy said:
I suppose that I will get used to this memory consumption ...
Click to expand...
Unless the memory usage for your PC in Task Manager is very high, then it really doesn't matter how much RAM an antivirus, or any other app uses. In addition, 461MB is not much RAM to use these days, when PCs have gigs of RAM.
 
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Trident said:
I suggest you first remove McAfee without a trace, follow this article.

Next, run the all AVs removal tool
Thread 'Antivirus Removal Tool - The technician friendly tool to detect and completely remove antivirus software.'
Antivirus Removal Tool - The technician friendly tool to detect and completely remove antivirus software.

The issue could be due to outstanding kernel drivers and other remnants from security software.

Update Windows as well and ensure you aren’t using Insider Previews — these are not officially supported by AVs.

Then in the end, reinstall McAfee.
Click to expand...
I tried to run the tool on my system and McAfee detected it under the category "System abuse"

Edit:

Detection Name: Real Protect-LS!d753f8ad36a8
 
Last edited:
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Jiminy said:
With my McAfee Total Protection version 1.31.148, I noticed two lines in Windows Task Manager:
McAfee Framework Host Service
McAfee Neo Component Host
My question is about the memory usage shown for the Neo Component Host; it varies a lot during the same session : 667 Mo, 1519, 882, 456, ...
Sometimes it starts at 5.6 Mo. I have seen a high of 2324 Mo.

If I kill this task, McAfee seems to continue working as usual.

What is the function of this Neo Component Host ?
Click to expand...

**Quick Answer:** McAfee has not published a detailed standalone “official report” specifically on the *Neo Component Host* memory spikes. However, official explanations from McAfee’s support and community forums indicate that the **Neo Component Host is part of McAfee’s modular architecture**, handling background services such as scanning, telemetry, and update orchestration. High memory usage is typically linked to **real-time scanning, large definition updates, or conflicts with other system processes**. McAfee recommends keeping the product updated, checking for conflicting software, and contacting support if memory usage exceeds normal ranges.

---

## 🔎 What the Neo Component Host Does
- **Background service**: The Neo Component Host is a framework process that manages modular components of McAfee Total Protection and related suites.
- **Dynamic memory allocation**: It can spike memory usage depending on workload (e.g., scanning compressed archives, handling telemetry, or applying updates).
- **Non-critical termination**: Users report that killing the process does not immediately break McAfee protection, but it may disable certain background tasks.

---

## 📊 Reports of High Memory Usage
- **User observations**: Memory usage fluctuates widely, from as low as ~5 MB to peaks above 2.3 GB in some cases.
- **Community complaints**: Users on forums and Reddit note random spikes where McAfee consumes several gigabytes of RAM, sometimes freezing other applications.
- **General McAfee behavior**: Articles explain that McAfee is known for heavy resource consumption due to its comprehensive scanning and monitoring features.

---

## 📝 Official Explanations & Guidance
McAfee’s official stance (from support documentation and community responses):
- **Real-time scanning impact**: The memory spikes are often tied to `mcshield.exe` and related components performing deep scans.
- **Updates and telemetry**: The Neo Component Host may temporarily use more memory during definition updates or when sending telemetry data.
- **Version-specific issues**: Some builds of McAfee Total Protection have been reported to leak memory or fail to release RAM after scans.
- **Recommended actions**:
- Ensure McAfee is updated to the latest patch.
- Restart the system after large updates.
- Check for conflicts with other antivirus or security software.
- Contact McAfee support if memory consistently exceeds 1–2 GB without active scans.
 

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