How to Fix Explorer.exe High CPU Usage Windows 11

Unlike the Explorer.exe high CPU usage issue in Windows 11, a computer may experience high CPU usage. This is completely normal, as long as it happens rarely and doesn't significantly affect your PC's performance.

However, this can become a problem when it occurs repeatedly. It can heat up your system, delay loading times, and potentially freeze while you're working on important tasks.

Why is my computer experiencing high CPU usage from Explorer.exe?

Typically, a computer may experience high CPU usage due to one of the following reasons:

• Running programs that require higher CPU requirements: Video editing and gaming software can trigger high CPU usage CPU usage. Problems may occur if these applications are run on a computer that is less powerful than the publisher's recommendations. If you want to run them, you should launch them all at once, not simultaneously with other applications.
• Browser Extensions and System Add-ons: Browsers like Chrome and Edge tend to consume a lot of CPU usage, especially if you download a lot of extensions. Likewise, some plug-ins designed for Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. can also cause high CPU usage. Computers with compatible features should have no problem processing them efficiently.
• Computer Viruses: Different kinds of malware can eat away at your CPU. In fact, cybercriminals like crypto miners develop viruses specifically written for this purpose.
• Start Applications: Certain applications that launch when the computer starts may cause high CPU usage. This is because, even if they don't appear active in the taskbar, they often continue to run in the background.

Meanwhile, Windows 11 users have complained about Explorer.exe high CPU usage issues since they updated their Windows.

We know this is just one of many causes of high CPU usage. Keep reading as we highlight the process that can fix your problem, no matter the cause.

How to fix Explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 11?

1. Close the Explorer.exe file in the Task Manager

1. Press the Ctrl Shift Esc key Start Task Manager. Right-click Explorer.exe.
   
2. Next, select End Mission.
   

#Repeat the above process for any other programs that may be causing high CPU usage. If this doesn't resolve the issue or you can't fully open Task Manager, continue reading for other solutions. 2. Use System File Checker

Open

Windows Search## by selecting the Search icon in the taskbar or left-clicking the Windows logo in the taskbar. #. Type
1. CMD and select Run as administrator. Next, select Yes to launch the Command Prompt.
   Type the following command: Observe the space in between. To avoid any mistakes, you can copy and paste. Next, press .
2. DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   <strong>##Enter<br></strong>Wait a few seconds minutes (it may take up to 30 minutes) until you see a message saying
   The operation completed successfully.
3. Next, type the following command:
sfc /scannow
4. 
   Observe the space in between. You may want to copy and paste it from here. After that, press <strong>Enter</strong>.
   Wait until you see a message Verification 100% complete. Then, type exit.
5. 3. Update Windows

Press the key to open

Run

.

Windows
1. R#Type to control updates. Press Enter.
2. Select
   Check for Updates. If an update is available, download it.
3. Restart the computer
   Install.
4. 4. Disable Cloud Storage
By default, Windows 11 comes with OneDrive cloud storage. This storage helps back up your system files in case you are attacked by ransomware. For clarity, ransomware is a type of virus used by cybercriminals to blackmail users.

It may be downloaded along with online files unknowingly and once installed, takes over all your files making them impossible to open.

After this the attacker will display a message to make a certain payment before you get the key to regain access. Even after payment.

Some users reported that disabling their OneDrive account helped resolve this issue. If you don’t know what to do, check out our tutorial on how to uninstall any app on Windows 11.

If you're not using OneDrive but another cloud storage (such as Dropbox), try doing the same thing and see if that resolves the issue.

5. Check your desktop for files with missing icons

Expert Tip: Some PC problems are difficult to solve, especially if the repository is corrupted or Windows files are missing . If you are having trouble fixing errors, your system may be partially corrupted. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that can scan your machine and determine where the fault lies.
Click here to download and start repairing.

Some applications may fail to create icons during shortcut creation. Although this may not seem like a problem, surprisingly, it can cause Explorer.exe high CPU usage.

Observe your desktop screen if any files are missing icons. If there are, delete them. Check if the issue has been resolved. You can also restart your PC to confirm.

6. Uninstall the latest Windows updates

1. Launch Command Prompt by typing CMD in Windows Search, right-click command prompt and run as administrator.
2. Type or copy and paste the following command:
   <strong>appwiz.cpl</strong>
   
3. Select View installed updates .
   
4. Right-click on the latest Windows Update. Select Uninstall.
   

##Microsoft's typical practice is to always release patches to address one or another issue observed while using the Windows operating system (OS). Sometimes, these updates can be the source of problems on your PC.

To be fair, they just want to help and make sure you have the best experience. However, like any software, glitches are inevitable.

Users noted that the KB5010414 update was responsible for high CPU usage of Explorer.exe and was fixed immediately after uninstallation.

7. Disable startup applications

1. Open Task Manager. Select Start.
   
2. Right-click on the displayed application to select Disable except Windows Defender.
   

8. Run a virus scan

Malware may be the reason why your system is experiencing high CPU usage from Explorer.exe. If you have any antivirus/anti-malware software installed, it’s time to put them to use. Conduct a deep scan to detect any viruses on your system.

Use multiple antivirus software to make sure you don't miss anything. Don’t know what anti-virus software to use? You may want to consider some free antivirus apps like ESET Internet Security as it can effectively protect any Windows operating system from malware, ransomware, and phishing.

⇒ Get ESET Internet Security

9. Tune your system for optimal performance

1. In File Explorer, right-click on This PC from the left panel (you can launch it by pressing File ExplorerWindow). WindowsE
2. Select properties. Select Advanced System Settings in the related links.
   
3. Find Settings under Performance and click Performance.
   
4. Next, select Adjust for best performance. Click Apply. Then left click on OK.
   
5. Restart the system for the changes to take full effect.

If none of the above methods seem to work, you can still try optimizing your hard drive using a defragmentation tool.

10. System Restore

1. Press the logo key to open the Run prompt. WindowsR
2. Type or copy and paste the following command:
   <strong>rstrui.exe</strong>
3. Press the Shift Enter key to launch it with administrator privileges.
4. Wait for system restore to start. Then select Next.
5. Select a preferred restart point to restore your computer to the state it was in before the problem occurred.
6. Before clicking Next Scan for affected programs. If the affected program is something you don't want to lose, you can select another restore point if one is available.
   

11. Optimize the system hard disk

1. Press the key to startRun prompts. WindowsR
2. Type the following command:
   <strong>dfrgui</strong>
3. Select your choice harddisk. This is usually Windows C: and click Optimize.
   
4. Wait until defragmentation is complete. You can also do this for all other drivers to reduce overall CPU usage.

To skip the above process, you can easily optimize using O&O Defrag 25. Instead of a long list of processes highlighted, you just install the software and relax while it takes care of the rest.

You have it all. At this stage, we believe that one of the solutions explained so far will help you resolve the Explorer.exe high CPU usage issue.

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