The Windows Shell Experience Host is an essential component of the Windows 10 operating system. It’s responsible for managing the Start menu, the taskbar, and the Windows desktop. Unfortunately, some Windows 10 users have reported that the Windows Shell Experience Host has caused high CPU usage, which can slow down their computer and lead to other performance problems.

If you’re experiencing high CPU usage from the Windows Shell Experience Host, there are several ways to fix the problem. Here are some solutions that you can try:

1. Restart Windows Explorer

The first thing you can try is restarting Windows Explorer, which is a process that manages the Windows desktop and file system. To restart Windows Explorer, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: If the Task Manager opens in compact mode, click the “More details” button to expand it.

Step 3: Look for “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes, right-click it, and then click “Restart”.

2. Disable the Transparency Effect

The Transparency Effect is a visual effect that makes it possible to see through the taskbar, Start menu, and other desktop elements. While this effect looks great, it can also cause high CPU usage on some computers. You can disable the Transparency Effect by following these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize”.

Step 2: Click on “Colors” in the left pane.

Step 3: Scroll down to “Transparency effects” and toggle the switch to “Off”.

3. Update Your Video Card Driver

Another possible cause of high CPU usage from the Windows Shell Experience Host is an outdated video card driver. If your video card driver is outdated, it may not be able to handle the demands of Windows 10’s visual effects. To update your video card driver, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager”.

Step 2: Find your video card in the list of devices, right-click it, and select “Update Driver Software”.

Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen to update your driver.

4. Disable the Background Tasks

The Windows Shell Experience Host is responsible for running background tasks that keep the Start menu and other desktop elements up-to-date. While these tasks are necessary, they can also cause high CPU usage on some computers. You can disable these background tasks by following these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on “Privacy”.

Step 3: Scroll down to “Background apps” and toggle the switch to “Off”.

5. Scan for Malware

Malware can also cause high CPU usage on your computer. If none of the above solutions work, you should consider scanning your computer for malware using an antivirus program. Windows 10 includes Windows Defender, which is a built-in antivirus program. To scan your computer for malware using Windows Defender, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on “Update & Security”.

Step 3: Click on “Windows Security” in the left pane.

Step 4: Click on “Virus & threat protection”.

Step 5: Click on “Scan options”.

Step 6: Select “Full scan” and click “Scan now”.