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Windows 11 High CPU Usage: How to Stop or Reduce it
High CPU usage lowers your PC’s performance
14 min. read
Updated onFebruary 27, 2024
updated onFebruary 27, 2024
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Facing high rates of CPU usage while using Windows 11 can make the entire experience sluggish and annoying and thus will impede your capability to work, browse the web, and even play games.
That said, it can only be considered a problem if your system constantly reaches high CPU usage scores, even when no system-heavy applications are running, like antivirus scans or games.
If you find yourself included in the statement above, an essential factor to consider when dealing with this issue is the Windows 11 system requirements.
Even though compared to the latest improvements in technology the OS requirements by themselves shouldn’t pose an issue, there might be situations in which your system is so close to them that it can’t run optimally.
No matter if you’re close to the minimum system requirements or not, some amazing solutions can help optimize the overall Windows 11 experience to a great degree.
In today’s guide, we will cover every option available, includingsettings-related changesthat will help enable you to get the most out of your system without requiring you to upgrade your PC.
Unfortunately, we can’t all afford to invest in a powerful PC simply to run the latest OS released by Microsoft, and opinions vary among users if it’s even worth it at all to consider that option.
As you can see from the statements above, this guide was created to encompass a wide range of elements that can be changed, tweaked, or simply optimized to resolve this issue once and for all.
Why is my CPU usage so high on Windows 11?
Now that we understood how to find out if the PC has a CPU problem or simply has a harder time dealing with some tasks temporarily, we can cover the most common reasons for this problem occurring.
➡ Lacking system resources
There area few ways in which you can find out if your system configuration is capableof dealing with the demands of the new OS from Microsoft.
Below, you can see an image of the official system requirements for this OS.
Note that any values that areabove these minimum requirementswill ensure a smoother experience.
Even though this method will require that you have basic knowledge of what system components are, some of the most important elements to take into consideration are the processor speed and the amount of RAM available.
It is also worth noting that the system requirements mentioned in the image above deal only with that factor, anddo notincludethe Windows 11 feature-specific requirements, which are also worth considering.
➡ Having too many applications running simultaneously
If you forget to close applications you’re not using or simply run apps that take a lot of resources to keep open, your CPU usage will show the results.
Of course, this element will vary from user to user, depending on the system configuration and the burden of the previously mentioned applications.
➡ Extra system services that affect your CPU
In the same way, not all apps require the same amount of resources to run, system services are no different.
Even though it is risky to disable some services, at the same time, we have chosen some of them which should not affect the stability of your system, but will improve the efficiency of your OS.
➡ Infection with adware and/or malware
This is a common occurrence, especially if you’re using free antivirus software that either hasn’t been updated recently or has an outdated virus library and can’t effectively identify the latest threats.
➡ Antivirus processes having a high impact on the CPU usage
As in the case of any software, some antiviruses will have a very high demand on your CPU and thus cause your system to run sub-optimally.
We will discuss some great options that affect your system minimally and provide a great set of security and privacy features.
How can I fix High CPU usage in Windows 11?
1. Restart your PC
Even though this step might seem obvious to some users, restarting your PC can solve this issue instantly.
This works as a restart of your system and also re-initiates all the elements that make your OS run optimally, thus impacting the number of resources required and their level of optimization.
2. Optimize startup applications
3. Disable background apps
High CPU usage is likely to be caused by a multitude of apps that run in the background at all times. Thus, disabling unused background apps and programs can greatly improve CPU speed.
1.Click theWindowsicon from the taskbar.
2.Choose theSettings cog wheelfrom the list.
3.SelectAppsfrom the left hand side menu.
4.Click onApps & features.
5.Identify any app that you don’t need and clickthe 3 dots optionon it.
6.ChooseAdvanced options.
7.Click the drop-down menu forBackground app permissionsand chooseNever.
- Repeat the same process for all apps you want to disable.
4. Check the Windows 11 power options
➡If you’re using the Balanced power plan:
➡If you’re already using the High-performance power plan:
5. Scan your system for malware and adware to fix high CPU usage
Even though the built-in security system can identify a large number of threats, the scan will most likely not be as efficient as other malware identification software on the market.
If you want to ensure that any malware and adware will be not only identified, but completely removed, a better option would be specialized software likeMalwarebytes.
6. Update your PCs drivers to fix high CPU usage on Windows 11
7. Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus and VPN services
Even though this action is not recommended in the long term, temporarily disabling your antivirus and VPN services will allow you to eliminate the possibility of that software interfering with your CPU too much, and thus possibly causing the issue.
➡Antivirus
We will first discuss and exemplify the steps required to temporarily disable our antivirus software –Bitdefender Total Security:
➡ VPN
When it comes to the VPN service, simply disconnect from any servers and turn off the software.
In our case, these are the steps that need to be followed forPrivate Internet Access:
8. Update your computer’s policy to speed up the CPU
Even though your PC’s policy should be updated by default when performing Windows updates, there have been cases in which the CPU over-usage was caused by this small yet important detail.
Here are the steps required to perform this action manually:
9. Check for Windows updates
10. Check the Windows 11 installation partition for bad sectors
11. Fix high CPU usage in Windows 11 by cleaning your PCs components
As dust and dirt can act as an insulator, and thus cause internal temperatures to rise considerably, the insides of your PC must be cleaned regularly.
The preponderance of this issue is also closely related to the way your system is built, depending on where the heatsink or fan is placed on the CPU, and if the device is a laptop or a desktop.
A tower design will always build up more dust or dirt over time when compared to a design in which the heatsink sits flats on the surface of the CPU.
In either of these cases, using a can of compressed air will clear up any impurities from the fan and thus considerably help you with your CPU issues.
As a bonus, after considering the information presented on the CPU’s manual, try removing the CPU from the motherboard and also clean the connector (CPU interface) using the same compressed air can.
This last step will ensure that nothing is bothering your CPU while trying to cope with tasks, and the connection to the motherboard is optimal.
Even though a lot more portable than a desktop PC, the downside when owning a laptop is that the process of opening it up is a bit more complicated. This happens especially if you have a notebook, assome gaming laptops feature systems that enable you to open them easily.
That being said, make sure to check the producer’s website for any guidance in this matter, and after successfully opening the device up, use a can of compressed air to blow away any dirt or dust from the components.
12. Check the PCs power supply
If your PC is not getting enough power, or if the power fluctuates considerably, then the system will not work optimally, and thus will cause your CPU to reach high values even for everyday tasks.
If you’re not sure that the power supply is the issue, you can also try out the next solutions from this guide before taking it to an authorized computer repair shop.
13. Disable non-Microsoft services with MSConfig
If you want to disable all the non-Microsoft services, simply click theDisable allbutton after ticking the box mentioned above.
After you’re done testing which services are causing your CPU to work extensively, restart your system for the update to take effect.
14. Stop/disable specific Microsoft system services (last resort) to fix high CPU usage
As running system services your PC doesn’t need to operate will cause the CPU to work overtime without any useful results, deactivating some Microsoft services will prove helpful.
The services which can be disabled without risking system instability are the following:
You shouldfirst try stopping these services and testing out the results.
If the CPU works better after disabling one or more of these services,you can consider disabling them entirely.
Stopping services:
Disabling services:
If at any point you want to re-activate these services, simply follow the same steps presented here, but chooseEnabledfrom the drop-down menu inside thePropertieswindow.
How can I check for high CPU usage?
Even thoughsome third-party task managers can be usedto achieve the same results, the most accessible option will be the built-in Windows 11 Task Manager feature.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways in which you can resolve issues with your CPU values going overboard.
If you are facing high CPU usage due to processes likeMicrosoft Common Language Runtime Native Compiler High CPU Usage, we recommend you check this guide for solutions.
We presented you with options starting from the least intrusive to the ones that could pose a risk to your system, so make sure to try them out in the order that they were presented.
If you find yourself in the camp that thinks that investing in a new PC is a doable option, you canexplore our thorough list of the best Windows 11 desktop PCs.
If you’re more inclined to appreciate the portability of your new PC, theninvesting in a great laptop that can run this OS is the best choice.
Added to that, we will also discusshow to make Windows 11 more responsiveby ensuring that every aspect of your system is ready to confront the tasks you throw at it.
Other applications can cause this issue as well, and we wrote aboutWavesSvc64.exe high CPU usageandCOM Surrogate High CPU and Memory Usagein our other guides.
Feel free to share what solution worked for you in the comments section below this guide.
More about the topics:High CPU usage,Windows 11
Vladimir Popescu
Being an artist his entire life while also playing handball at a professional level, Vladimir has also developed a passion for all things computer-related.
With an innate fascination for research and analysis, and realizing many other people share his passion for this subject, he delved into writing Windows-related articles, so other people can also benefit from the acquired information.
When not writing kick-ass articles, Vladimir likes to spend his time doing Crossfit and creating art.
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Vladimir Popescu
Reviewed byVlad Turiceanu
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.More about Vlad ›
