Windows 10: smartscreen causing CPU to run at 100% in Windows 10

My laptop has been running almost too slow to use. In task manager, the CPU is constantly at 100% and SmartScreen is always what seems to be causing it. I am simply using the internet to help my daughter with a school project, but my laptop sounds as if I am running a large program on it constantly. I have just been using Windows Defender as my antivirus along with a VPN so I know it's not caused from clashing with another antivirus running.

:)

 

Turn off automatic driver update and SmartScreen causing high disk and memory usage

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand it can be quite frustrating when the computer does not work the way you want it to. I certainly appreciate the steps that you have tried. We can perform a couple of steps and see if we can resolve the issue.​

You can turn off the automatic installation of drivers from the Device installation settings and check if that helps. To turn off automatic installation please follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Type Change Device installation settings
   in the search bar and open it.
   
2. Click on No.
   
3. Click on Save Changes.
   

Regarding SmartScreen causing high Disk and Memory usage, you can turn off the SmartScreen from Windows Security and check if that helps. To turn off SmartScreen, please follow the steps mentioned below:

Note: SmartScreen automatically scans applications, files, downloads, and websites, blocking known dangerous content. We recommend leaving SmartScreen enabled, as it provides an additional layer of security that helps to protect the PC.

1. Press and hold Windows + I key on the keyboard.
   
2. Click on Update & Security.
   
3. Click on Windows Security.
   
4. Click on Windows Defender Security Center.
   
5. Click on App & browser control.
   
6. Select off under Check apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
   and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps.
   

Hope it helps.

Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

100% CPU Usage after Windows 10 upgrade

Hello Aaron,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.

Most of the time, computers only use a small fraction of their CPU power. In fact, many computers use less than 5% of their CPU most of the time. When you open an application, play a video game, or encode media file, the CPU usage will rise or spike temporarily.
Once the CPU intensive process completes, the CPU usage should once again drop down to lower level. Most applications will not use up more than 50% of your CPU for an extended period of time. However, some programs and system processes can use up a large amount
of CPU without you even knowing it. This may happen if a program gets stuck in an infinite loop or encounters an unexpected error.

I suggest you to perform Safe mode and Clean boot procedures on the PC by following the steps below.

Step 1: I suggest you to boot your PC in Safe mode by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer with limited drivers necessary to run Windows. The words
Safe Mode appear at the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you are using.

Expand the options to boot into Safe Mode:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode



Reboot the PC to exit from Safe mode.

To know more about Safe mode, following is an article on
Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode) (Applies to Windows 10 also):

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

Step 2: If the issue persists, perform Clean boot on your PC by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

I suggest you to perform clean boot by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

You can open the system configuration window in Windows 10:

a. Using run command.

• • Press Windows Key + R keys on the Keyboard.
  • Type msconfig.msc and press Enter.

b. Using Cortana.

• • Press Windows icon key on the keyboard and type msconfig.
    
  • Select the top most search result.
    

Follow the steps from 3 under How to perform a clean boot
for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 from the link below (The steps for clean boot suggested in the link below for
Windows 8/8.1 is applicable for Windows 10 as well):

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

Disclaimer: Start the computer in normal mode refer the section,
How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting
from the link above.

Write to us with the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

Thank you.

 

CPU not running in full speed in Windows 10

Hello,

Windows 10 may have encountered a system conflict that caused this issue. For us to help you with this concern, kindly answer the following questions:

• Have you made any recent changes to your computer prior to this issue?
• What is the current build and version of your Windows 10? To check type in
  winver on the search bar and press Enter.
• Aside from clean installations, what other troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

Meanwhile, we suggest that you run Windows 10 on
Safe mode and check the CPU performance if there will be any changes.

We'll be waiting for your reply.