Windows 10: High CPU Usage from Explorer.exe

My explorer.exe consistently uses 25%~ of my CPU, it persists through restarts and restarting the process itself. I believe a reinstall would fix it but i'd much rather fix it manually first if I can.

Please ask for any more information you may need.





:)

 

WIN10 1703 update cause Explorer.exe high CPU usage

I was able to solve this problem. I had noticed that explorer.exe was suddenly consuming high cpu. Tried everything--disabled startup items, disabled non-MS services, disabled scheduled tasks--same problem. Then I went to the "virtual agent" on the MS
tech support page (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us) and typed in "explorer.exe high cpu" and the first answer was to look for an item on the desktop with a defective (not showing) icon. I deleted that one and explorer.exe immediately stopped using the
large amounts of cpu! Here is a direct link to the answer: explorer.exe high CPU usage - tried everything I can think of - Win7 64-bit

 

WIN10 1703 update cause Explorer.exe high CPU usage

Hi,



Glad you reached out. First, we would like to know if Explorer.exe
is the only cause of high CPU usage. Because the common cause of high CPU usage are the following:

- Windows 10 Memory leak after the update.

- Driver incompatibilities after the update.

- Multiple startup applications

• 
  

We'll be waiting for your update.

 

Hi,
Welcome to the forums, find out the page file size, if it's system managed, try increasing the size, follow the steps from 3 to 9 in this tutorial:Virtual Memory Paging File - Change

 

Hi, thanks for your reply brummyfan, sorry I'm taking so long to get back, I had completely forgotten I made the thread. I believe I have done what you asked, but I haven't seen any noticeable difference, even after rebooting.

 

Have you tried running an sfc/scannow to see if you have corrupt files? You need to run it from the command prompt as administrator.Let it run and let us know what the results say. It will take about 10 min.
If there is corruption its any easy fix if the sfc doesn't fix it,

 

I believe I ran that a few weeks ago when I first noticed the problem, but I just ran it again to make sure. It said no integrity violations.

 

Hmmm... And you tried restarting it from within the task manager?

Have you tried running a scan with Malwarebytes and your AV, possible you may be infected. Try the scans, and later try booting into safe mode and see if it persists...another possibility is that a rouge program is causing it. Let us know

Just found this
SOLVED:
1) Open C:Windows/Temp
2) Delete all the data
3) Open task manager
4) Terminate explorer.exe
5) Start a new explorer.exe
6) Problem solved.

 

Alright, so I also found your Solved section before, I tried that then, and now.

I then did a scan with MWB, which picked up a few files but nothing it deemed dangerous. I ran a full scan on my AV instead of a quick scan, and it picked up 3 Severe, which it hadn't before. I removed those and then booted into safe mode.

The High CPU usage was there, but was remedied when I did the solved steps again safe mode. Explorer.exe then remain low CPU usage (<1%) until I rebooted normally. The problem was still there out of safe mode and was not fixed by repeated the steps again.

 

Seems like you have a deep root virus, you may have to do a clean reinstall , unless we find a way to totally flush out the infection...some are bitch to get rid of, and it would be less time consuming to just clean reinstall. I assume you have a clean backup of your files lying around? Maybe a system image prior to the problem?

Check online for other virus removals, others pick up some that are left behind from your AV or MWB. I'll sleep on it.
Also try running MWB in safe mode and AV also.

 

I probably sound like an idiot, but is it easy to get a fresh install of win10, it was the free upgrade and i'm not sure what the process would be.

 

Hi Lukeqz,
Get a free copy of Macrium Reflect, create a recovery CD, backup the whole hard drive to an external HDD, clean install.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html