How To Reduce Windows Explorer High CPU Usage

The best solutions that we could find

It’s unfortunately common to see Windows Explorer using up your system resources. With the file explorer system hogging up processing power, games won’t run as smoothly, video editing will take longer, and other basic tasks may run into issues.

In some cases, you may see Windows Explorer using high CPU resources. Sometimes this can be up to 30% or more of your processing power, even if you have a modern processor.

Thankfully, there are fixes to this problem, but you will need to try each step out for yourself. We will list each step from how likely it is to fix your Windows Explorer high CPU problem, based on user reports online.

Remove Intel Optane Memory Pinning

It has been reported online that many people have had Intel Optane memory pinning installed to their computer in error after Windows 10 update 1903. The trouble is, most people do not have the right hardware for Intel Optane Memory Pinning, so it ends up causing Windows Explorer high CPU issues.

To find out if you have Intel Optane Memory Pinning, open the Start menu and search forAdd or Remove Programs.After, follow the steps below.

Once your PC is back on, pressCtrl+shift+escto open Task Manager. Click on theProcessestab, and clickNameto sort the processes alphabetically. If fixed, Windows Explorer should now be using very little CPU.

If Windows Explorer is still using an abnormally high CPU, move to the next step below.

Delete Desktop Icons With No Image

Many users have reported that there is a strange CPU error that occurs when there is an icon or shortcut that has no image on your desktop.

Search your desktop for any icons that aren’t displaying properly, and if so, left-click it and press thedeletekey on your keyboard. If it’s an important file, you can click and drag it to another folder on your PC, such asMy Documents.

Switch Off OneDrive Cloud Storage

Sometimes, cloud storage can cause issues with Windows Explorer high CPU usage. By default, Windows 10 will encourage you to use OneDrive’s cloud storage and it may be turned on without you even realizing it.

Not only can this mean your files will occasionally backup, hogging your upload bandwidth, but it can also cause CPU issues.

Turn Off The ‘Show All Folders’ Option In Windows Explorer

This solution will only be for those that spot Windows Explorer high CPU usage when they actually open Windows Explorer. If this is the case, open Windows Explorer and then on the left side panel, right-click.

Next, clickshow all foldersif there is a tick next to the option. If there isn’t a tick next to the option here, theshow all foldersfeature will already be turned off.

If this doesn’t fix your Windows Explorer high CPU usage, try the next steps below.

Clear System Files & Temp Folder

Sometimes, clearing out your temp folder can help to reduce your Windows Explorer CPU usage.

If you are still facing high CPU usage, we have two more suggestions below.

Create a New Windows User Account

Sometimes, Windows 10 user accounts become corrupted in a way that’s hard to understand or fix. The solution is to create a brand new account and it may fix problems with Windows Explorer.

You will be signed out and given the opportunity to log into your new account. Hopefully this account won’t run into any CPU problems. You should still be able to access the files from your other account.

Run a Virus Scan

The final step would be to run a virus scan. It’s possible that a virus or malware on your PC is amping up your CPU usage. You can learn how to completely wipe your systemclean from malware with free tools by following our guide here.

Ollie stumbled upon writing online whilst participating in a mobile network forum back in 2011. Since then, he has developed an incredible passion for writing about all sorts of tech from smartphones, PC hardware, software, and everything in between.Read Ollie’s Full Bio

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How To Reduce Windows Explorer High CPU Usage#

Remove Intel Optane Memory Pinning#

Delete Desktop Icons With No Image#

Switch Off OneDrive Cloud Storage#

Turn Off The ‘Show All Folders’ Option In Windows Explorer#

Clear System Files & Temp Folder#

Create a New Windows User Account#

Run a Virus Scan#