Explorer.exe high CPU usage after latest update, Win11

Anonymous
2022-02-17T10:11:19+00:00

I am running Windows 11 Pro 64 bit version 21H2, build 22000.527.

After the latest update explorer.exe started to grab occasionally about 20% to 50% CPU power. Upon this high CPU time taskbar does not work, applications already on the desktop work though.

I have checked the desktop folder for any files missing the icon and I have also disabled OneDrive, did not help.

This problem is on almost all the time. It easies down occasionally but starts again. If I have the computer locked and log in again the problem starts immediately.

I do have some applications in desktop right button menu but they were there before the update without any problem(7-zip, WinZIP, NitroPDF etc).

This is quite annoying and prevents me working with the PC. The computer is Lenovo Thinkbook with 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz 2.80 GHz and 16 GB RAM.

Should I try to uninstall the latest update and is there a change that it messes up the operating system?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-02-22T06:48:26+00:00

    The culprit is KB5010414. When I uninstalled it the problem was gone. Just to be sure I reinstalled the update and had the problem again and uninstalling it again made the PC work again.

    Having played a lot with this have made me believe the problem is some of the new features for Task Bar. During the high CPU time(20% for explorer.exe) Task Bard does not work at all. I am able to alt-tab between the programs already running and programs are working ok. Just the Task Bar and desktop are unusable.

    At the mmoent I am using my PC with KB5020414 uninstalled.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-02-21T18:07:22+00:00

    I am experiencing the same issue on my PC. I will go through the doc's that Jerico posted to see if they work. If not I may do the SP uninstall and then reinstall. My PC is running on a AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core and has 16GB memory.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-02-17T23:51:26+00:00

    Hi JuusoOP -

    I'm glad you're able to fix your concern and thank you for sharing the information that you've done to resolve your concern, it will help others in case they face this kind of issue. You do have a great day!

    Regards,

    Jerico T.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-02-17T16:31:10+00:00

    Sorry, it did not mean that your reply was unhelpful, actually it was really good as I had previouusly determined same things to be done, but it did not resolve the problem.

    Just to let everybody know: it is working now. After uninstalling the latest updates the PC was working well. After testing for few hours I decided to try the updates again and now we have the latest updates and working PC. Explorer.exe is not using high CPU anymore.

    Thank you for assuring my own thoughts were on the right path.

    Case closed now.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-02-17T13:20:55+00:00

    Hi JuusoOP -

    Thank you for your response. I noticed that you rated my answer as unhelpful and I want to make sure I answered your question accurately. Is there anything else I can help you with it?

    Regards,

    Jerico T.

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