Windows 7 has High CPU Usage and slow performance

Anonymous
2009-11-18T04:59:29+00:00

Hello all,

I've searched the forums, but was unable to find anything relevant.  I recently upgraded to Windows 7 from Vista.  It was running fine for about a week then all of a sudden everything started running very slow.  I checked the the processes tab in task manager and I am constantly running at 70-80% CPU usage.  I think this is very high considering the computer is only a few months old.  It seems like others are having this problem as well, but no real solutions.

I have turned off file indexing as well as disabled the HD audio device. 

Please help!

Here are my hardware specs:

AMD 9550 Quad-Core

64-bit

6GB Ram

Thank you in advance for your help.  I am ready to toss this thing from my second story window.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-01-02T19:29:42+00:00

I think the answer might be the Windows Media Player and Windows Media Network Sharing Services as zxypher suggested.  The fix for that is to adjust were the Windows Media Player services search for media files. 

It seems to be a bad problem for me as well upgrading from Vista to Windows 7.  The default search location for media is set to C:\Users\ instead of down in the My Music folders.

Go into Media Player.  From the menu -> File -> Manage libraries -> select each library (music, video, pictures, recorded tv [if you have]) and check the paths that it is managing and make sure it is not too close to the root of the C: drive.  For example, it should be something like c:\users\Jim\Music and c:\users\Public\Music BUT NOT **** c:\users as they will cause the whole directory tree to be re-indexed over and over (when you surf the web or change any files in your profile).

If you have multiple users who login to the computer, you may need to repeat the process for each user if all users have added managed folders which are actively changing on a regular basis.

If this is your issue and you do it correctly, then the high CPU should drop in minutes (or seconds down to nothing).

This is the CORRECT way to adjust the WMNSS/WMPNetwk.exe process issues.

A little more information can be found here:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/2fe4901b-2eaf-4a99-b487-e6a6213b10b3/

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-11-17T19:58:40+00:00

    Hello all,

    I've searched the forums, but was unable to find anything relevant.  I recently upgraded to Windows 7 from Vista.  It was running fine for about a week then all of a sudden everything started running very slow.  I checked the the processes tab in task manager and I am constantly running at 70-80% CPU usage.  I think this is very high considering the computer is only a few months old.  It seems like others are having this problem as well, but no real solutions.

    I have turned off file indexing as well as disabled the HD audio device. 

    Please help!

    Here are my hardware specs:

    AMD 9550 Quad-Core

    64-bit

    6GB Ram

    Thank you in advance for your help.  I am ready to toss this thing from my second story window.

    I recently upgraded to Win 7 Ultimate and now can't stream Netflix Instant movies on my PC. Netflix says problem is CPU runs almost 100%.  But that's the case even at the start. I've tried everything possible for last two days to bring CPU numbers down, from eliminating all non essential programs to installing and uninstalling Starlight 3. I've hours with the Costco concierge trying all kinds of things, nothing works. Should i give up Windows 7 and go back to Vista?

    My stats are toshiba intel core 2 duo processor, 4096 mb 667mhz sdram 320gb 5400rpm hdd (originally run w vista home premium (64 bit) without any glitches)

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-11T23:31:18+00:00

    Hi Everyone,

    Re:- Random LockUps/Freezes with Windows7

    For weeks now, in fact ever since the upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64 I have been subjected to the random freeze/lock up issue. Having scoured the internet for an answer and subsequently trying all the suggestions forwarded I am at last free of this irritant. In my own case I have removed the Nvidia based graphics card installed and associated software. I'm now running with the onboard ATI graphics chip and my problem seems to have been cured.

    Have a good look at the graphics card you're using. Use an alternative if you can that doesn't rely on the same drivers. It might just work for you also.

    Good Luck

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-11-08T15:57:32+00:00

    I know, but it must surely run normally yet?

    It is irritating me really, I don't know what it is. But I think that I upgrade mine GPU.

    Thanks by the way :)

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