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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

52 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-03-26T23:10:16+00:00

    JuusoKorhonen,

    Did you remove the "automatically hide taskbar" from the registry or just uncheck it?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-03-27T02:34:31+00:00

    This happens to me every time I reboot the PC. (It's powered down overnight).

    On another thread, someone recommended using Task Manager to Restart the Windows Explorer process.

    Providing you let the process run for a few minutes first, then restart it, this works for me.

    On Restarting, it again maxes out one of the CPUs for a couple of minutes then drops away 0.1 % then 0%.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-03-27T05:27:45+00:00

    Just unchecked

    Was this answer helpful?

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

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. 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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments