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
    2022-03-29T13:46:23+00:00

    Seeing the same as JuusoOP after yesterday's update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-03-29T05:59:19+00:00

    I installed this update, rebooted and set my taskbar automatically hidden. The old problem started immediately, explorer.exe started to use 12% of CPU and it was really slow to get the taskbar up and visible. All operations with taskbar we very slow.

    I took off "hide taskbar automatically" and after some 30 secs deselecting this option explorer.exe dropped to normal CPU usage and taskbar started to work normally.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-03-29T00:26:26+00:00

    There is a new update, the KB5011563, March 28. 2022 that seems to solve the problem.

    I just installed and it is all back to normal. I reboot a few times, quick restart and Windows Explores is using a very low CPU as suppose to.

    My Task Bar is hidden.

    Note that I had uninstalled the updates KB5011493 and KB5010414 and froze the updates to go back to normal. I saw this new today at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information then I checked for updates on Settings and it showed only this new one, KB5011563 and I gave it a chance, looks like it solved the problem.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-03-28T14:50:34+00:00

    Same as JuusoOP, unchecking Auto Hide Taskbar remedies the high CPU usage for me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-03-27T05:27:45+00:00

    Just unchecked

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