Windows 10: Problem with Desktop Windows Manager (dwm.exe) absolutely hogging GPU

Hello everyone, I would like to address this issue that has been happening when playing games. The problem at hand is that dwm.exe has been taking over my GPU when gaming, happening periodically within my session. This has been happening with my friend as well, with MANY other people over the internet, and is ESPECIALLY annoying. I would also like to highlight the fact that this has been a thing for MONTHS now. MONTHS, and no clear workaround, fix or patch. This issue renders my GPU useless when displaying 3D content, and makes playing, competitively or not, a chore. Seriously, it's torture. Like having drops of superglue between your eyeballs and your eye sockets. Horrific. With any short, temporary alleviation feeling like a breath of the most magical air. I kindly ask for any suggestions on how to fix this, and would also like to express my gratitude over any input on the matter at hand.

:)

 

disabling dwm access denied

I don't know if it is even possible to disable DWM and still have Windows working normally but I found a list of solutions that can solve problems related to DWM:

How to fix Desktop Window Manager notification issues in Windows 10

 

Desktop Window Manager(DWM.exe) using high GPU

Hi Hasnat,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community Forums.

In Windows, desktop composition is performed by Desktop Windows Manager. The way applications display pixels on the screen, it is managed by DWM. When desktop composition is enabled, individual windows no longer draw directly to the screen or primary
display device as they did in previous versions of Windows. Instead, their drawing is redirected to off-screen surfaces in video memory, which are then rendered into a desktop image and presented on the display.

The GPU (NVidia) usage of 35-40% by games is absolutely normal, however at the same time Desktop Windows Manager is using the high percentage of Intel GPU, which isn’t normal and it might be the cause of the low FPS.

I suggest to refer to the suggestions given by Reymichael Ros, dated March 2, 2018 on

Desktop Windows Manager (dwm.exe) load GPU too much.

If the above step doesn’t work, you may try setting the NVidia card to maximum performance and disable Intel graphics adapter to see if it works.

• Right click on desktop and select NVidia Control Panel from the context menu.
  
• Now on the left hand pane expand 3D settings.
  
• Click on Manage 3D settings.
  
• Under Preferred graphics processor, select
  High-performance NVidia processor.
  
• Click on Apply.
  

Before disabling the Intel graphics adapter, I would recommend to create a system restore point. Please refer to the article:
Create a system restore point.

• Press Windows key + R. This will open
  Run. Alternatively, you can go to Start and search for
  Run.
  
• In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
  
• Expand Display adapters.
  
• Now right click on the Intel Graphics drivers and click on
  Disable.
  
• Click on OK.
  
• Reboot the computer and check the frame rate.
  

In case disabling Intel graphics adapter does not work, I would suggest to uninstall the Intel graphics drivers completely and install the latest drivers from the Intel support site.

• Press Windows key + R. This will open
  Run. Alternatively, you can go to Start and search for
  Run.
  
• In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
  
• Expand Display adapters.
  
• Now right click on the Intel Graphics drivers and click on
  Uninstall.
  
• Check the checkbox to delete the drivers from the computer and reboot the computer.
  
• Download and install latest drivers from
  
  Downloads for Intel HD Graphics 630.
  

If none of the above methods works, I would encourage you to provide your feedback and suggestions using the Windows 10 Feedback Hub app, so that the Windows developer team has direct access to it.

Send feedback to Microsoft with Feedback Hub

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Peer Samie

Microsoft Community-Moderator

 

desktop window manager

Desktop Window Manager is not listed under services.msc. How can I get DWM back? Thank you.