How to Fix High CPU Usage on Windows 10/11

Category: Troubleshooting

If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC is running slow due to high CPU usage, you're not alone. Many users experience performance issues caused by background processes, system updates, or misconfigured settings. This guide will walk you through effective ways to fix high CPU usage and optimize system performance.

1. Identify High CPU Usage Processes

First, find out which programs are consuming excessive CPU power.

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  • Click on the Processes tab.
  • Sort by CPU to identify resource-hungry applications.

2. Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches causing high CPU usage.

3. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Too many startup programs can slow down your system.

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Disable unnecessary programs by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

4. Update Windows and Drivers

Keeping Windows and drivers up to date can fix bugs that cause high CPU usage.

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Click Check for updates.
  • Update drivers using Device Manager.

5. Disable Background Apps

Many background apps run silently and consume CPU power.

Settings > Apps > Background apps > Turn off unnecessary apps

6. Scan for Malware

Malware can cause high CPU usage by running hidden processes.

  • Use Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus to scan your system.
  • Run a full system scan and remove any threats.

7. Adjust Windows Performance Settings

Optimizing performance settings can help reduce CPU load.

1. Right-click This PC and select Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings.
3. Under Performance, select Adjust for best performance.

8. Disable Windows Search Indexing

Windows Search Indexing can consume CPU resources unnecessarily.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to Windows Search.
3. Right-click and select Stop.

9. End Unnecessary Processes

If a process is consuming too much CPU, you can manually end it.

1. Open Task Manager.
2. Right-click on the high CPU usage process.
3. Select End Task.

10. Check for Hardware Issues

If CPU usage remains high, check for overheating or faulty hardware.

  • Clean dust from your CPU fan and ensure proper cooling.
  • Use HWMonitor or Core Temp to check CPU temperature.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce high CPU usage on Windows 10/11 and improve system performance. Regular maintenance, updates, and scanning for malware will help keep your computer running smoothly.

For more troubleshooting tips, visit Microsoft Windows.

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