How to Troubleshoot and Fix High CPU Usage from explorer.exe on Windows 10

Experiencing high CPU usage from explorer.exe can lead to performance issues like micro stutters and unresponsive programs on your PC. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix this issue:

Restart Your Computer

Sometimes a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches and free up system resources. Restart your computer and see if the high CPU usage persists.

Check for Malware

Malware infections can cause explorer.exe to consume high CPU resources. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware or viruses.

Update Windows

Make sure your operating system is up to date with the latest Windows updates and patches. Microsoft often releases updates to fix bugs and improve system stability which may help resolve the issue.

Update Device Drivers

Outdated or corrupted device drivers can also cause high CPU usage and performance issues. Update your graphics card chipset and other hardware drivers to the latest versions available from the manufacturers website.

Disable Third-Party Extensions

Third-party shell extensions and add-ons can sometimes conflict with explorer.exe and cause high CPU usage. Use a tool like ShellExView to disable non-Microsoft shell extensions and see if the problem resolves.

Perform a Clean Boot

Perform a clean boot to start Windows with minimal startup programs and services. This can help identify if a third-party application or service is causing the high CPU usage. Follow Microsoft's instructions on how to perform a clean boot.

Check for Disk Errors

Use the built-in Windows utility CHKDSK to check for and repair any disk errors on your system drive. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command chkdsk /f /r.

Monitor Resource Usage

Use Task Manager to monitor resource usage and identify which processes are consuming the most CPU resources. Look for any specific patterns or trends that may help pinpoint the cause of the high CPU usage.

Consider System Restore

If the issue started recently after a software installation or system change you can try using System Restore to revert your system to a previous state when it was working correctly.

Seek Professional Help

If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing high CPU usage and performance issues, consider seeking help from a professional computer technician or IT support specialist for further assistance.

By following these steps you can troubleshoot and fix high CPU usage from explorer.exe which should help alleviate performance issues like micro stutters and unresponsive programs on your PC.