As a Windows 11 user, you may come across a common issue of Windows Explorer high CPU usage that creates a lot of troubles in the smooth functioning of your computer. It can make your system slow and sluggish, and even stop responding. But, no need to worry, as there are many ways to fix the high CPU usage issue. In this article, we will discuss the top ways to fix Windows Explorer high CPU usage on Windows 11.

1. Update Windows 11

One of the common reasons for high CPU usage could be outdated Windows 11. So, the first thing you need to do is check for any pending Windows updates and install them. These updates usually include bug fixes, patches, and system stability improvements, which can help fix any issues, including high CPU usage.

To check for updated on Windows 11, click on the Windows Start button and select Settings. Then click on Update and Security, and choose Windows Update. If there are any updates pending, install them and restart your computer to check if the high CPU usage issue is fixed.

2. Disable Windows Search Indexing

Another reason for Windows Explorer high CPU usage could be the Windows Search Indexing process. It is a built-in feature in Windows 11 that helps in faster file searching. But, sometimes, it starts searching for files endlessly, leading to high CPU usage. To fix this, you can disable the Windows Search Indexing feature temporarily.

To disable the Windows Search Indexing feature, press Windows key + R, type “services.msc” in the Run Dialog box and hit Enter. In the Services window, search for the “Windows Search” option and click on it. Then, select Stop from the drop-down menu and wait for the process to stop. After that, restart your computer and check if the high CPU usage issue is fixed.

3. Disable Thumbnails for Files and Folders

Another possible reason for Windows Explorer high CPU usage is the thumbnails of files and folders. Windows generates thumbnails automatically, which can consume a lot of CPU power. You can disable thumbnails for files and folders to fix this issue.

To disable thumbnails, open Control Panel, go to “Appearance and Personalization”, and select “File Explorer Options”. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab, and under Advanced settings, select “Always show icons, never thumbnails” and click on Apply and OK.

4. Uninstall or Disable Third-party Applications

Third-party applications can also cause high CPU usage issues in Windows 11. Sometimes, incompatible, faulty or outdated third-party applications can conflict with the operating system, leading to high CPU usage.

To check the list of installed applications on your computer, click on the Windows Start button, type “Apps & Features” in the search bar, and select the first option. Scroll down the list of installed applications and uninstall any applications that you think could be causing high CPU usage. You can also try disabling them temporarily to check if it’s the root cause of the issue.

5. Perform a System Scan

Sometimes, system files or applications on your Windows 11 operating system can become corrupted, leading to high CPU usage issues. You can perform a system scan to check for any issues and fix them.

To perform a system scan, open the Command Prompt as an administrator, by clicking on the Windows Start button and searching for “cmd”. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator. Then, type “sfc /scannow” in the Command Prompt and hit Enter. The system scan will begin and may take a few minutes to complete.

Conclusion

Windows Explorer high CPU usage is a common issue in Windows 11 that can slow down your computer’s performance. You can use the above ways to fix the issue and optimize your computer’s performance. Updating Windows 11, disabling Windows Search Indexing, disabling Thumbnails for files and folders, uninstalling or disabling third-party applications and performing a system scan are effective ways to fix the high CPU usage issue