Windows Explorer high CPU Usage in Windows 10
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Usually, too many background processes can boost your CPU usage. Since you already disabled the apps that are not necessary on startup, we suggest checking the applications running once you have successfully boot Windows 10. To do this, simply follow the steps below:
- Click on the Start button and type Task Manager on the search box.
- On the Task Manager window, you should see the programs running.
- Click on the More details drop-down button to see the total number of apps running and their real-time CPU usage.
From there, you should see what applications are running on high CPU usage. You can also restart the Windows Management Instrumentation service and see if your CPU performance will improve. Follow the instructions below to restart the service:
- Click on the Start button and type Services.
- Scroll down the list and look for Windows Management Instrumentation.
- Right click on it and select Restart.
Should you have further questions, please let us know.
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In this case, we suggest adding a new local user on your computer to see if the same issue will occur on another user profile. To create a new user on your computer, please follow the steps below:
On Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Professional editions:
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Accounts > Family & other people > Add someone else to this PC.
Enter a user name, password, password hint, and then select Next.
To make the new account an administrator account, select Start > Settings > Account > Family & other people (or Other people , if you’re using Windows 10 Enterprise), and select Change account type . Under Account type , select Administrator > OK . Restart your machine and sign in with the new administrator account.
If you have additional questions, please let us know.
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Well, although when the new account first booted up, Onedrive used up 100% of cpu resources for some time, it eventually settled down, and cpu resources became normal again, with only 1-2 percent cpu usage at most by everything. The question is WHY this is so, and what to do about it. SOMETHING with my main account is causing a problem, but I’m at a loss as to what, since I’ve already taken the tech step of disabling all non-Microsoft services and all startup items with no change on my main account. I CAN, however, confirm that Kasperksy Total Security isn’t the problem, as it loaded with the new account without problems.
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User profile corruption may be the cause of the issue since your CPU usage became normal on another user account. Should you need to move your files from one user to another, simply follow the steps below:
- While in the new local account, use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer. Select This PC from the left pane.
- Under Devices and drivers, double-click to open the C: drive.
- Double click the Users folder.
- Find your old account’s folder and double click it.
- If you get a dialog box saying You don’t currently have permission to access this folder, click Continue, as your administrator account will grant you access.
- Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
- Type the following command line: %HOMEPATH%.
- Click OK to open a second instance of FileExplorer in your new profile home folder.
- Using the Windows key + left arrow keyboard shortcut snap your new home folder to the left side of the screen.
- When Snapassist pops up, choose to snap your old home folder to the right side.
- Movethecontentinsidethefolders in the right side (old account) to the same folders in the left (new account).
Once you completed that task, make sure you can access all your applications. In some cases, you may need to reinstall some apps due to the fact some programs can only be installed per account, not per computer. You may also need to reactivate some of them, so make sure to have the product key ready just in case.
If you have further questions, please feel free to post them on this thread.
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User profile corruption may be the cause of the issue since your CPU usage became normal on another user account. Should you need to move your files from one user to another, simply follow the steps below:
- While in the new local account, use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer. Select This PC from the left pane.
- Under Devices and drivers, double-click to open the C: drive.
- Double click the Users folder.
- Find your old account’s folder and double click it.
- If you get a dialog box saying You don’t currently have permission to access this folder, click Continue, as your administrator account will grant you access.
- Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
- Type the following command line: %HOMEPATH%.
- Click OK to open a second instance of FileExplorer in your new profile home folder.
- Using the Windows key + left arrow keyboard shortcut snap your new home folder to the left side of the screen.
- When Snapassist pops up, choose to snap your old home folder to the right side.
- Movethecontentinsidethefolders in the right side (old account) to the same folders in the left (new account).
Once you completed that task, make sure you can access all your applications. In some cases, you may need to reinstall some apps due to the fact some programs can only be installed per account, not per computer. You may also need to reactivate some of them, so make sure to have the product key ready just in case.
If you have further questions, please feel free to post them on this thread.
Unfortunately, following these steps causes the new account to have the same problem. Oh dear.
Windows Explorer high CPU Usage
in Windows 10 Home — ONLY since UPDATE in May 2018 — from 26% (one window open) to over 50%
No, I don’t have Norton,
No, it doesn’t slow down after I close all Explorer Windows
No, STILL there even after a re-boot.
Build 16299.431 of Ver. 1709
The Problem IS THE ‘BUILD ‘CHANGE — and I have installed all versions/builds for at least 2 years — ALWAYS kept «CURRENT»
Had a similar problem a few months ago after another version change — had to disable it — think that was «search filter» problem
and no — I don’t think I should have to re-install the OS to fix what MS broke —
————- because when I install the updates, will just happen again
Replies (2)
Look for blank icons on the desktop and delete them.
Open File Explorer
Open This PC
Right click your local drive where Windows 10 is install (you will see the Windows logo on it)
Click Properties
Click the Hardware tab
What is the name of the drive listed?
Is it an SSD?
If it is, you might need to update the firmware.
Open Start > Settings > Privacy > Background apps
Disable all Background apps.
Disabling Windows Update:
Press Windows key + R
Type: services.msc
Hit Enter
Scroll down to Windows Update
Select it then right click it
Click Properties
Under the General tab, choose Startup type to Disabled
Click Stop
Click Apply then OK
Also, check whats starting up with Windows.
Press Windows key + X
Click Task Manager
Click Startup tab
Disable all except Windows Defender.
——————————————————————
Press Windows key + R
Type: msconfig
Hit Enter
Go to the services tab
Check the box,
hide all Microsoft services
Disable the remaining services
Click Apply then OK
Open Start, type: problem reports
Hit Enter
Delete any failed or pending reports.
Go to Start > Settings > System > Notifications and actions > Turn off «Show me tips about Windows.»
If you have Chrome installed, uninstall then reinstall it.
Open Start, type: CMD
Right click CMD
Click Run as administrator
Type: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
Hit Enter
Exit
Press Windows key + X
Click Power Options
Click Additional power settings
Click Change plan settings -> change advanced power settings > processor power management -> processor idle disable -> Enable idle.
Create an entirely new account and delete the current one.
Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
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WIN10 1703 update cause Explorer.exe high CPU usage
I am using Surface Pro 3 (i5, 8G RAM)
After WIN10 v1703 update, Windows Explorer uses
If I uncheck «Show thumbnails instead of icons» in the Performance Options, the CPU usage of Windows Explorer reduces to
Any suggestion why showing thumbnails cause so high CPU usage in v1703?
Replies (5)
Glad you reached out. First, we would like to know if Explorer.exe is the only cause of high CPU usage. Because the common cause of high CPU usage are the following:
— Windows 10 Memory leak after the update.
— Driver incompatibilities after the update.
— Multiple startup applications
We’ll be waiting for your update.
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I have the same issue on a surface pro 4 (i5-6300 with 8gb ram).
After the 1703 update, I didn’t have the issue at start, but only after a few weeks.
I checked visual effects in the performace options menu and the high cpu activity you mention is also when checking the ‘show thumbnails instead of icons’, the explorer.exe task reaches 40% to 70% in my case.
No idea why it happens. but I’m glad I’ve found your post 😀
To respon to Richard Tie:
— No memory leak, only high CPU, the memory stays the same
— It’s a surface from Microsoft, I would be surprised for driver incompatibilities. Even then, my drivers have the latest stable updates.
— Starts up with Outlook and skype for business mainly + background processes like Endpoint(symantec) and teamviewer, so no big deal either there.
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Let’s determine the caused of the issue by performing a clean boot. A clean boot will help eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program, update, or when you run a program in Windows 10. For instructions, you may refer to this link.
Note: After the troubleshooting, boot your computer in normal mode by checking the same link and look for the How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting section of the article.
Should you need further assistance, feel free to get back to us.
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