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High CPU usage by Windows Explorer at 100 percent?


The high CPU utilization by Windows Explorer, which is sometimes 100 percent, makes Windows 11, 10, 8.1, ... and MS Server sluggish!  



Content:

1.) ... Certain malware can cause high CPU usage!
2.) ... Defective and damaged system files under Windows!
3.) ... reinstallation or repair of Windows as a solution!
4.) ... Remove old and temporary files!
5.) ... Corrupted thumbnail files Thubms.db!



If the: ►► Windows Explorer restart does not help! 

1.) Certain malware can cause high CPU usage!

Sometimes explorer.exe can experience high CPU usage due to certain malware. A certain malware process can run in the background without your knowledge, which can lead to high CPU usage on your PC. If you are having this problem on your PC, then it is imperative to do a full system scan and see if this solves the problem. If your antivirus can't find the malware, or if you're not using an antivirus at all, then you can try Malwarebytes.

2.) Defective and damaged system files under Windows!

Please  start your command prompt (as Admin) , for example via the keyboard shortcut  Windows-X

and enter the command  sfc /scannow 

(Image-1) Windows system file recovery program (example)!
Windows system file recovery program (example)!

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3.) Reinstall or repair Windows as a solution!

Reinstalling or repairing Windows may be the best solution if Windows Explorer is using a lot of CPU. Especially if Windows explorer.exe is causing high CPU usage when you restart the process, it's fine for a while, but it starts again.

►► If restarting Windows Explorer  does not help   !

►► Update Windows 10 to Windows 10 as a repair option!
►► Troubleshoot  Windows 10 for computer problems?
►► A clean installation of Windows 10?
►► Reinstall Windows 10 or reset!





4.) ... Remove old and temporary files!



If you're having issues with explorer.exe high CPU usage, old and temporary files may be causing the problem. Windows creates hundreds of temporary files. Sometimes these files can affect your system. The best way to do this is by using the disk cleanup application. To do this, follow the steps below to use it:

1. Via the Windows Run dialog (keyboard shortcut Windows Logo + R)

2. And select files that are not required. 
(... see Image-2 Point 1  to 4)

For more cleaning options, click on the " Clean up system files" button
(... see Image-2 Point 5)

... read more 

(Image-2) Delete system data on Windows 10, 8.1, ...!
Delete system data on Windows 10, 8.1, ...!

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5.) ... Corrupted thumbnail files Thubms.db!





Here nicely described: ►►  Delete and reset the thumbnail cache!

 
Info:

Thumbs.db files can sometimes become corrupted, which can lead to very specific problems in Windows. Sometimes one or more damaged thumbs.db files can cause problems navigating folders with multimedia content, or they can be the cause of the high CPU usage by Windows Explorer!




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FAQ 29: Updated on: 23 May 2024 17:50 Windows
FileSystem

Monitor status, temperature, status of the hard drives SSD, HHD, ...?


It is easy to see the status of the SSD or HD, or to monitor the temperature of the hard drives or the technical condition   Content: 1. Status, temperature,
FileSystem

How do I find out how much RAM is installed on a computer?


Under all Windows 11, 10, and MS Server operating systems you can quickly determine how much RAM / memory is installed on a computer Content: 1.
FileSystem

Difference 7-Zip and Zip format, archive!


7-Zip and Zip are both compression formats, or archives, whoever compresses again and again the question arises   Content: 1. Difference between 7-Zip
FileSystem

What is lossless compression?


There is lossy compression and lossless compression both aim to make the data as small as possible Contents: 1. Understand lossy compression 2.
FileSystem

What do you need a temporary file for?


A temporary file is a file for the temporary storage of information and data under MS Windows 11, 10, and Server OS, as well as under MAC OS, Linux,
FileSystem

Check the hard drive health using WMIC on Windows 11, 10, ...!


A simple check of the hard disk condition using WMIC under Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and MS Server Everyone knows the search for faulty system files , but
FileSystem

Difference Start DVD and Boot USB?


The main difference between Start DVD and Boot USB is that devices without DVD drives can also be booted or started Contents: 1. The main difference

»»

  My question is not there in the FAQ
Asked questions on this answer:
  1. What actions can be taken if Windows Explorer CPU usage remains high despite all efforts?
  2. Are there specific steps to reduce CPU usage on Windows Server operating systems?
  3. What role do background processes play in increasing CPU usage by Windows Explorer?
  4. What impact can corrupt thumbnail files (Thumbs.db) have on CPU usage?
  5. What steps should one take to repair broken or corrupted system files?
  6. What impact can a corrupt registry have on CPU utilization?
  7. How to defragment hard drive to reduce CPU usage?
  8. What steps should one take to repair corrupted thumbnail files?
  9. What role does Resource Monitor play in identifying processes with high CPU usage?
  10. Are there specific types of malware that are particularly known for increasing CPU usage?
  11. What role do security updates play in fixing Windows Explorer CPU usage issues?
  12. Can a program in autostart increase CPU usage?
  13. Can a corrupted thumbnail file affect the functionality of other files or programs?
  14. Why can reinstalling Windows sometimes be the best solution to fix high CPU usage?
  15. How to determine if Windows Explorer CPU usage is really caused by corrupted thumbnail files?
  16. Can a hardware upgrade reduce CPU usage by Windows Explorer?
  17. What impact can fragmented disk space have on CPU utilization?
  18. What are some signs of broken or corrupted system files on Windows?
  19. How to fix high CPU usage by Windows Explorer?
  20. Can reinstalling Windows fix Windows Explorer high CPU usage?
  21. What impact can incorrect driver installation have on CPU utilization?
  22. What role does malware play in causing high CPU usage?
  23. What tools are available to check and repair corrupted system files on Windows?
  24. How to check hard drive capacity and delete unnecessary files?
  25. How to check startup and disable unnecessary programs?
  26. Are there certain folders where corrupted thumbnail files are more common?
  27. What are my options if resetting folder views to default doesn't reduce CPU usage?
  28. Can corrupted thumbnail files be caused by third-party software?
  29. What impact can full disk space have on CPU utilization?
  30. How to identify and correct faulty drivers?
  31. How to use Event Viewer to determine the cause of high CPU usage?
  32. Can disabling unneeded Windows services reduce CPU usage?
  33. How to remove old and temporary files to reduce CPU usage?
Keywords: filesystem, high, usage, windows, 11, 10, explorer, percent, utilization, server, sluggish, Questions, Answers, Software




  

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