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
    2022-03-29T05:59:19+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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  2. Anonymous
    2022-03-29T13:46:23+00:00

    Seeing the same as JuusoOP after yesterday's update.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-03-30T06:08:13+00:00

    Is somebody @Microsoft reading this?

    It looks like same problem is detected by multiple users.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-03-30T13:38:13+00:00

    JuusoKorhonen,

    Hey, I also installed the KB5011563 update. I turned on the "Automatically hide the taskbar" option. The explorer.exe did shoot up to 10%+ for about 30 seconds and then dropped. On occasions it gets up to 0.6% . Maybe this update did fix the issue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-03-30T14:32:45+00:00

    My PC works ok when I do NOT hide taskbar automatically.

    When hidden automatically explorer goes to 10 - 20% and the taskbar is completely disabled. This takes couple of minutes and then everything works....untill it starts again. I may work some 15 to 30 minutes and after that I have exporer.exe peaking to 10-20% again and taskbar is disabled.

    I will continue using it without hiding the taskbar automatically and keep on waiting for a fix from MS. I also have all updates installed but the problem remains.

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