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What to do if High Windows CPU Usage?
My Windows computer is experiencing very high CPU usage that stays at 90 to 100 percent constantly even when I have no applications open. The system becomes sluggish and unresponsive and the fans run loudly all the time. I have checked Task Manager but the processes listed don't seem to add up to the total usage percentage being reported. This happens after startup and continues for hours without stopping.
I have already scanned for viruses and updated my drivers but nothing has fixed the problem. What steps should I take to identify which process or service is actually causing this high CPU usage on Windows 10 and how can I permanently resolve this issue?
1 Reply
Since Task Manager's numbers don't add up, you need a deeper tool. Process Explorer (a free, official Microsoft tool) reveals what Task Manager hides, including processes that cloak themselves.
