Windows 10: smartscreen.exe causing high CPU usage

My Win 10 20H2 build 19042.867 is running 25 to 40% CPU when no programs are running! I have an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 3700u running at 2.3 GHz. I have 20 GB of RAM. When the Win 10 CPU is running at 45-50%, the heat in the CPU cores elevates to ~60-70 deg C.

Checking the TASK MANAGER, the culprit appears to be the smartscreen.exe. That program/app alone is using ~25% of the CPU.

One of the posters on this this forum (in the performance sub-forum) stated that he disabled smartscreen and his CPU usage return to normal levels. I went and disabled Smartscreen but CPU levels have not changed.

I need some expert help what's causing this.

I'd appreciate some expert help.

:)

 

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.

 

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

 

Cpu usage high until i open task manager

Greetings,

I appreciate your swift response, if the above steps did not work no worries,since this is an open forum we can ask assistance from other community volunteers with their feedback and suggestion with this issue.

For the meantime you can try the steps mentioned in this links below.

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-high-c...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-wsappx-causing-hi...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-service-host-diag...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-high-disk-usage-b...

Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product
advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

With Warm Regards,