Windows 10: Anniversary Update: Windows 10 CPU usage 100% All the time

I'm having an on-going issue with CPU usage and Windows 10.

I did a clean install with bootable media for Anniversary, and after I did that CPU rates went back to normal. But after I reinstalled my programs, it shot right back up to 100% CPU usage constantly.

If anyone figures this out it would be a godsend because it's been plaguing me for years now.

Here is a screenshot of literally nothing active running on my PC:





Any idea what it might be? I'm thinking it's a driver issue, but why would it only kick in a day later?

Appreciate any help I can get here....

:)

 

Predictable 100% disk usage crash

Week 9 of a machine hobbled by the Anniversary update.

Successfully installed cumulative update KB3194798. Currently running ver. 1607, build 14391.321. Machine still crashes at CPU up-time of 59:44 with 100% disk usage.

 

Predictable 100% disk usage crash

Week 8 of a machine hobbled by the Anniversary update.

Started up Win10 to get latest update. Nagged four times with error window "This theme can't be applied to the desktop". Left machine on for 45 min. for the download and then invoked "update and shutdown".

Started up Win 10, successfully applied cumulative update KB3194496 and left machine running. Machine crashed at CPU up-time of 59:44 with 100% disk usage.

 

Hi, could you possibly click the CPU tab so the processes using most CPU time are at the top, assuming it's a visible process? That way we can see what's happening. Thanks!

And does this change if you do a clean boot?

Meanwhile feel free to search the forum for
high CPU
100% CPU
etc to see if there's anything relevant
as there's plenty of discussion on such topics.

 

Hey dalchina,

Thanks, I really have been searching, again, for years for the solution (happened with 8.1 also). I've looked all over and tried every trick I've found, but nothing's worked...

Here's the new view you requested:





In terms of clean boot, I want to say it still does it but I haven't tried since post-anniversary update. I can try later today.

 

Hi, ok, better start by disabling search indexing and Windows Defender - which, assuming it hasn't changed, will re-enable itself after a while unless you take special action. Also close Paint (which I'd expect, like Cortana, to be 0% assuming it's meant to be idle).

Then repost the task man screenshot.

The clean boot result will be interesting, as you mention this only happens after you've installed some programs.

If after a clean boot, CPU use is still high, then also check and advise result in safe mode.

Noting Cortana's unusual CPU usage (does Cortana function normally?) can you also post a screenshot showing Cortana displayed (Windows key + S) (will need to be a Prt Sc full screen one). Thanks.

 

So I disabled Defender and search indexing completely.

I did a clean boot minus TeamViewer because I have to use it to access my PC for now.









Cortana is acting normally.

Edit: here are a list of the details by CPU usage with Chrome open.

 

Ok, now Cortana use is almost 0, and looks ok which is encouraging.

Note you still have Defender running (topmost result). I had this problem when I very first installed Win 10 on an older laptop. Note it is using CPU and disk heavily.

It would also be disabled if you install another AV program, but note that I've read recently about MS allowing Defender to be run alongside another AV...(!).

Suggest you have a look at this.
How to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 permanently - gHacks Tech News

 

Alright, I disabled Defender via Group Policy:





I'm convinced this is some virus MalwareBytes/Defender can't find that's causing the CPU usage issue.

I'm going to try resetting my PC again this weekend and installing programs one by one and see if I can identify the cause.

 

I don't want to interfere here because dalchina is doing well; however, when I looked at your first screenshot, I noticed that just displaying task manager was using a whopping 44% of your CPU. With that said, I have to ask "Is your CPU somehow throttled down and/or does it run at full speed when needed?" Check your task manager performance tab for visible issues and your BIOS for CPU stepping options if necessary.

 

Add this process to the exclusion list in Windows Defender: C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe

 

Hey aardvark,

I've tried to disable Turboboost/overclocking options in my Bios. That may be another issue, do you think updating my BIOS could potentially fix the issue?

And TairikuOkami, are you suggesting I should reenable Defender and then add that process as an exclusion?

 

Well some people reported, that it helped, if WD itself is causing the issue.

 

If you are overclocking now, set you BIOS back to defaults because something isn't working right. Again, I encourage you to look at the task manager performance tab to see what speed your CPU is running at when displaying that task manager view and using a whopping 44%. As far as a BIOS update goes, who knows but its worth a try if you are not running the latest.

 

I've never enabled overclocking of any kind, nor do I plan to. So thanks, I think I'll move forward on a BIOS update.

Here will be my process:

• Reinstall anniversary update via bootable media, wipe SSD (OS + programs + My Docs folder)
• Update BIOS (a bit scared to do this, any advice?)
• Restore personal files on SSD (My Docs folder)
• Reinstall programs in waves to try and identify cause

What I'm leaving unchanged:

• 1TB HDD with personal files (about 800GB of pictures, videos, project files)

Does this seem like a good plan?

Thanks so much everyone for the help so far.