Windows 10: dwm.exe high cpu usage

Hello,
I have Windows 10 Enterprise 64bit with all latest updates.
My laptop is Dell XPS 13 9350, with CPU Intel i7-6560U, GPU Intel Iris 540.
I have process "Desktop Window Manager", dwm.exe, tath uses 60-80% of CPU all times.
I have updated all drivers and firmware. I try latest official graphics driver from dell and from Intel, but problem persist.
I have reinstalled Windows many times, but problem is same.
With no particular program opened, dwm.exe use 60-80% of cpu.

Can you help me to understand what caused it?
Thanks
Manuel

:)

 

High cpu usage by dwm.exe

I have found that DWM has changed considerably in Windows 10 (from previous versions of Windows). It is no longer implemented as a service and runs under its own built-in username (Window Manager\DWM-1), instead of under SYSTEM or your own userID. This is
probably a security function.

It fires off as a child process of WinLogon.exe.

It seems to take a lot more CPU cycles than it did on other versions of Windows in general. I believe this to be a change in the fundamental graphics engine design change that came with Windows 10.

I have also found that it churns around 3-18% depending on how many windows / browser tabs you have running. The more "objects" it has to manage on screen, the more memory and cpu cycles it will use.

Things to try which alleviated some of my cpu issues with this process:

- Update video driver from manufacturer

- If you have a docking station, update its drivers to the latest (e.g. I run an Anker USB dual monitor dock, which i love, and updating its DisplayLink Manager driver helped reduce DWM.exe on my system.

- Turn off hardware acceleration in your browser (Opera, Chrome, Firefox, IE all have implemented this and it seems to sometimes interfere with DWM performance).

Always test one change at a time.

 

High cpu usage by dwm.exe

Hi Nazar,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft community.

We understand your concern and will certainly assist you to solve it.


We apologize for the inconvenience caused. We would like to inform you that dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager) is the compositing window manager in Windows 10 OS, providing effects such as live taskbar thumbnails and transparent window.

I would suggest you to perform following methods and check.

Method 1: Run System Maintenance troubleshooter and check if it helps.


Follow the steps:

a) Press Windows and X key together and select Control Panel.
b) Click on Troubleshooting.
c) Click on View all option on the left side of the Windows.
d) Click on System Maintenance option.
e) Click on Next and follow the onscreen instructions to troubleshoot the issue.

If the issue still persists, continue to the next method.



Method 2: We will check the functionality in safe mode with networking.

Step 1: Safe mode with Networking.



Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files
and drivers. To start your system in safe mode follow the below steps:



1. On your lock screen, click on the power button and press
shift + restart.

2. After that, you will be redirect to an option screen.

3. Select troubleshoot>advanced option > start up repair.

4. Follow the on screen instructions and select safe mode with networking.

If the issue still persists, please run a clean boot and check if the issue persists.

Step 2: Clean boot.

Putting your system inClean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform
a Clean Boot.



https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135



DISCLAIMER: After troubleshooting, refer to this section "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting".



Please let us know if the issue got resolved or you need any further assistance.

 

Here is an article that explains what it is and why it uses so much CPU.

What is dwm.exe And Why Is It Running?