Thursday, October 2, 2025

How to Fix High CPU Usage in Windows 11 (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

 









How to Fix High CPU Usage in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

If your Windows 11 PC feels slow, the CPU usage might be constantly high — even when you’re not doing much.
This usually happens due to background apps, malware, Windows services, or driver issues.

This guide provides every possible solution (nothing skipped) to fix high CPU usage completely.

Step 1: Check CPU Usage in Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Opens Task Manager.

  2. Click on the Processes tab.

  3. Sort by CPU to see which app is using the most processor.

Note the top apps — like Antimalware Service Executable, WMI Provider Host, Windows Update, Chrome, etc.

Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

  1. Open Task Manager → Startup apps.

  2. Disable everything unnecessary (Spotify, OneDrive, Teams, etc.).

  3. Restart your computer.

✅ Reduces load immediately after boot.

Step 3: Check for Background Processes

  1. In Task Manager, check the Background processes section.

  2. If you find a program consuming constant CPU, right-click → End Task.

  3. If it reappears frequently, uninstall it (see next step).

Step 4: Uninstall Bloatware and Unused Apps

  1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed apps.

  2. Uninstall unused software, game launchers, and OEM tools.

  3. Restart PC.

Step 5: Scan for Malware or Virus

High CPU usage can be caused by malicious background tasks.

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.

  2. Click Quick scan or Full scan.

  3. For deep cleaning, use Malwarebytes (Free).

Step 6: Disable “Windows Search” Service (Temporary Test)

  1. Press Windows + R → services.msc.

  2. Find Windows Search → Right-click → Stop.

  3. Watch Task Manager to see if CPU drops.

If yes, disable permanently (Step 13).

Step 7: Disable SysMain (Superfetch)

  1. Open services.msc.

  2. Find SysMain → Right-click → Stop → Set Startup type: Disabled.
    👉 Prevents preloading apps that stress CPU.

Step 8: Check Windows Update and Background Downloads

  1. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Delivery Optimization.

  2. Turn off Allow downloads from other PCs.

  3. Also, pause updates temporarily to check CPU impact.

Step 9: Turn Off Background Apps

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.

  2. For each app → Advanced options → Background app permissions → Never.

Step 10: Disable Cortana and Other Assistant Services

  1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed Apps.

  2. Find Cortana → Advanced Options → Disable Runs at log-in.

Step 11: Adjust Power Settings

  1. Settings → System → Power & battery.

  2. Set Power mode → Best performance.

  3. Restart your PC.

Step 12: Update Drivers (Especially CPU and GPU)

  1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.

  2. Update these drivers:

    • Display adapters (GPU)

    • Processors

    • Disk drives

    • Network adapters

  3. Or use Intel Driver & Support Assistant or AMD Auto-Detect.

Step 13: Disable Windows Search Permanently (If Causing Issue)

  1. Open services.msc.

  2. Find Windows Search → Properties → Startup type: Disabled.

  3. Apply and restart your PC.

Step 14: Check “WMI Provider Host”

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager → Look for WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe).

  2. If using high CPU:

    • Press Windows + R → services.msc.

    • Restart Windows Management Instrumentation service.

Step 15: Turn Off Notifications and Tips

  1. Settings → System → Notifications.

  2. Disable Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.

 Step 16: Change Visual Effects

  1. Press Windows + R → sysdm.cpl.

  2. Go to Advanced → Performance Settings.

  3. Choose Adjust for best performance.

Step 17: Reset Power Plan

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Type:

    powercfg -restoredefaultschemes

  3. Press Enter → Restart PC.

Step 18: Disable Runtime Broker (If Constantly Active)

  1. Press Windows + I → System → Notifications.

  2. Turn off unnecessary background permissions.

Or disable via registry:

  1. Press Windows + R → regedit.

  2. Navigate:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TimeBrokerSvc

  3. Set Start value = 4 → disables it.

Step 19: Check for Corrupted System Files

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

    sfc /scannow

  2. Then run:

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  3. Restart PC.

Step 20: Update BIOS (Last Resort)

If high CPU usage persists and your CPU fans run constantly, update your BIOS from your motherboard manufacturer’s website.

⚠️ Make sure to follow official update instructions carefully.

 Final Recommendations

  • Keep only essential background apps.

  • Clean your Temp folders regularly (%temp%, prefetch).

  • Disable heavy browser extensions.

  • Upgrade to SSD if still using HDD.