Windows Explorer High Memory Usage Windows 10. exe high CPU Usage, Memory Usage issue in Windows 10 [Steps]
exe high CPU Usage, Memory Usage issue in Windows 10 [Steps] February 26, 2022 - by Sachin Prakash Nov 19, 2018 · After a few minutes, the Windows Explorer process starts increasing its memory usage and also CPU is around 10%; i'm up to 2gb usage right now. Windows Explorer generates thumbnail previews for images and other files, which can consume additional memory. It has also effected navigating the file explorer, deleting, opening and moving in it often results in it becoming non-responsive and when I close the… Feb 25, 2023 · Can anyone help me with this laptop issue of mine, where Windows Explorers CPU usage periodically spikes to above 20%, ramping up my laptops fans until it's restarted, either in Task Manager, or clicking the Task Bar a few times? Things I've tried thus… Mar 20, 2017 · Don't worry, the high memory "usage" of the SYSTEM process is fine and by design. Also i've noticed that it's using full only one core (screenshot). exe, to manage it. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with practical, step-by-step methods to reduce your memory usage and improve overall system stability. exe High CPU and RAM Memory Usage. Have you got a folder open that has thousands of video or image files in with File Explorer's view set to thumbnails. Oct 23, 2023 · Explorer memory usage and Explorer memory leak (can't post images yet since i just created this account). exe uses up all my RAM, an Jun 19, 2025 · If your Windows computer take ages to complete processes, it could be as a result of a high CPU usage. Many device drivers System Requirements What are Winamp's minimum system requirements? These are the system requirements for Winamp 5. Apr 24, 2025 · Windows uses free RAM for caching to speed up access. So, high RAM usage doesn't necessarily mean a problem unless it causes system slowdown or crashes. There is an option to break the CPU usage graph into two sections: kernel mode time and user mode time. May 28, 2024 · Windows Explorer high CPU usage is a common issue on Windows 11. Use this article to fix Windows Explorer high CPU usage problems. Read on to learn what pushes Windows 10 or 11 to 100% disk usage. The norm is a steady 49mb's when it's acting right. exe to report high memory usage? Wouldn’t you expect this memory usage to show up under System or even not a process at all but as the cache portion of the Memory section under the Performance tab? Oct 11, 2025 · In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the common causes behind high memory consumption, provide verified solutions to optimize your Windows 10 system, and offer tips to prevent recurring issues. Both cause problems in recent tests with WIN11 and… Oct 2, 2021 · Why does my Windows Explorer consumes about 160-300 MB even in the background from the point of booting my computer to shutting it down. I noticed that the explorer. exe causing high cpu usage. When I close the File Explorer, memory remains stable but it does not go back to normal levels. Windows 11 Explorer Memory Usage Leak (Big Issue)Upvote in the Feedback Hub: https://aka. I tried clearing my temp files, clearing the indexed files,… Sep 5, 2024 · How to Fix High Disk Usage on Windows 10 Most of the time, the fixes for high disk usage come down to finding the process that uses the hard drive frequently and stopping it. It appears that the usage keeps increasing after it's opened, and even after a while, it doesn't decrease. How can I pinpoint what is causing Windows Explorer to keep leaking RAM? What tools are there to solve this mystery? Surely there must be a way to look inside what's telling the process to allocate more memory. Mar 21, 2021 · Amount of memory it uses? Max memory consumption you've seen? There are two different versions of explorer. exe immediately starts using more and more of the available memory. I have checked the virtual memory and it is set to system default. File Explorer randomly closes if the RAM allocation exceeds 150MB. And many reported high CPU usage due to the explorer. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 4 days ago · The good news: most “mystery” memory use comes from a handful of common causes—one or two runaway apps, too many background starters, browser tab bloat, or a memory leak from a driver/app. exe process uses about 20-50% cpu all the time. When opening additional applications, it's likely why you see the memory usage quickly escalate to 80-85%. However, after some use my PC started to slow down until it was impossible to use – it was due to high memory usage. exe (Windows Explorer) incrementally increasing its RAM usage upwards of 5GB's and constant cpu usage around 10%. May 25, 2025 · Since creating a new profile resolved the Windows Explorer high CPU usage, the issue likely stems from corrupt user settings, background processes, or cached data in your original profile. Below are a few of the most common solutions. Identify processes with sustained high usage. Run CHKDSK. Details about specific areas of memory are also shown. Then find out how to fix it yourself or with a dedicated cleaning tool. Jul 31, 2025 · RAM (Random Access Memory), provides temporary storage for CPU data. exe high memory, disk or CPU usage issue can significantly affect the performance of your Windows 10 PC. The culprit here was Windows running far more than it needed to, which led to excessive RAM usage. Other times, it seems to destabilize Windows. I've therefore tried an old 180W adapter instead of the 130W one that came with the docking station, and I get the impression this has slightly reduced the occurrence of the above, but not by much. exe pode ser problemático e afetar seu desempenho, e no artigo de hoje mostraremos como corrigir esse problema no Windows 10. Jan 9, 2026 · A new, faint UI cue in a Windows 11 Insider build suggests Microsoft is testing a tighter Copilot tie‑in inside File Explorer — an invisible button that appears when you hover over a blank spot in the navigation bar and which, according to strings found in preview code, may be labeled "Chat with Oct 27, 2024 · However, many Windows 10 users have reported experiencing high memory and CPU usage by the Explorer. This is causing their PC to run slower, especially when doing Apr 7, 2025 · Struggling with slow performance? Discover why Windows Explorer is using so much memory on your PC and get quick solutions to speed things up. The final version was Windows Embedded Compact 2013, and it is succeeded by Windows IoT. Nov 30, 2024 · This article explains what high memory usage is and how to check it. If all the above solutions didn’t fix the problem, then there is a chance the problem with the user profile causes Windows Explorer high CPU usage problem. Microsoft to fix explorer. Apr 18, 2022 · Recently on my windows 10 pc the windows explorer app has been taking up to 16% on my CPU. Jan 24, 2019 · A few days ago I updated my PC to Windows 10. When an application releases memory, Windows may keep it cached for future use. Here are some solutions to help you fix the same. exe. I have confirmed it was explorer by killing the process, watching the disk usage drop down and restarting it and watching it go back to 100%. Run System File Checker. With the file explorer system hogging up processing power, games won’t run as smoothly, video editing will take longer, and other basic tasks may run into issues. Installed Add-ons are usually the culprit! Check if you have installed any helpers or add-ons to your explorer. The System File Checker will on reboot, replace corrupt system files if any are found. Jun 12, 2025 · File Explorer "explorer. Jan 24, 2022 · Upon bootup, explorer. The original poster noticed abnormally high memory usage after upgrading the system from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The problem has been there since I purchased the laptop (HP-15 2019 version). Any Help? here's a photo Windows Version: Windows 10 21H1 Device Specs: HP-15 Laptop (2019) 12 GB Installed memory, Ryzen 3 2200U Processor with 2 cores. exe high CPU and memory usage when copying files I recently upgraded both my PC to Windows 10, and whenever I copy large amount of files (or analyzing large amount of files before copying), with explorer. Nov 8, 2024 · Explorer. . exe high CPU usage issue can occur if your Windows 10 PC is infected by malware, which can cause certain processes to be running in the background without your knowledge, and that can cause high CPU usage on your PC. 6 days ago · If you see 100% Disk Usage or High CPU, Memory or Power spikes in Windows 11/10 Task Manager & your Windows stops responding, see this post. exe high CPU usage can be problematic and impact your performance, and in today’s article we’ll show you how to fix this problem on Windows 10. If CPU or disk activity drops significantly, OneDrive is a likely contributor. Sep 29, 2016 · Facing performance issues with CPU usage close to 100% on Windows 10? Here is how you can fix high memory usage on Windows 10. Sep 10, 2024 · Discover effective solutions and tips to fix high memory usage in Windows 10, including optimizing startup programs, updating software, and more. The high CPU, Memory, Disk usage problem can also occur due to disk errors or corruption. It also gives 11 methods to fix Windows 10 high memory usage caused by most common reasons. Jul 15, 2022 · A lot of people have reported that while they were looking inside the Task Manager at the processes that are running on their Windows computer, they discovered that the Windows File Explorer is causing high or very high CPU power usage. Jun 27, 2025 · Understanding Memory Usage in Windows 11 Before diving into solutions, it’s vital to understand how Windows manages system memory and what constitutes "high memory usage. Quick fix: Restart explorer. exe will use to much memory when keeping the OS running for days, like this: I've read this q&a: Explorer. Oct 5, 2025 · Fix high RAM or memory usage on Windows 11 & 10 in 2025. exe via Task Manager for temporary relief. May 19, 2021 · In this video I will show you how to Fix: explorer. Have you found any fixes or work arounds? Sometimes (after I close Firefox & Chrome) I restart Windows Explorer, and it seems to help for a bit. The possible troubleshooting procedures Are you encountering memory leaks on your PC? Plug those leaks with these methods to fix high memory usage in Windows. Windows Explorer is not your issue with high memory usage. comJoin our Di Jul 10, 2016 · I upgraded my OS from win7 to win10, found that the explorer. Fix: Windows Explorer High GPU Usage Windows 11/10 [Solution]There have been several reports by Windows 11 users that, upon looking in the Task Manager, they Jun 19, 2024 · If you are facing high RAM Memory usage on Windows 11/10, there are certain ways to reduce memory consumption. View the Reddit post below and see how geeks and netizens respond to the OP's question. This Tutorial Helps to Fix Explorer. Sep 10, 2020 · Checking whether the system functions normally helps to identify the issue with Windows Explorer using high CPU. exe slowly increases its memory usage, at a rate of roughly 1Mb every 4-5 seconds, as long as the File Explorer is open. Can you help me understand why? Apr 11, 2023 · To check the apps with high RAM usage on Windows 11, open Task Manager's Processes tab or the Resource Monitor Memory tab. Join the channel for more support: / @techbased Best TOOL to grow on YOUTUBE : https://www. Nov 23, 2025 · My Windows PC used to sound like it was ready for takeoff the moment I opened a few apps and tabs. It can be highly frustrating, especially if it's getting in the way of work or precious computing time. exe high memory, disk or CPU usage issue. Dec 25, 2019 · It’s unfortunately common to see Windows Explorer using up your system resources. Oct 1, 2025 · O alto uso da CPU do Explorer. [Solved] Windows Explorer (explorer. Best tips to reduce memory usage on Windows 11 Aug 28, 2024 · When you open multiple folders and files, Windows Explorer needs to maintain a list of recently accessed files and folders, which can increase memory usage. 2 days ago · If you encounter The amount of system memory has changed error when you turn on your Dell or Alienware system, this article will help you. The RAM allocation is not automatically released. Task Manager exposes the key signals Jan 2, 2024 · Is there any possible way to reduce file explorer high ram usage, because each time i open a file or anything the file explorer will consume more and more ram and it wont drop, unless i restart the file explorer task? My Windows Explorer is always consuming about 150-200 mb of memory, I've heard the normal usage is around 40-60 mb's, also the folder opening speed is wayyy slow. A chart of recent usage for both of these values is shown. Windows Embedded Compact: Most commonly known by its former name, Windows CE, it is a hybrid kernel operating system optimized for low power and memory systems, with OEMs able to modify the UI to suit their needs. " What Is RAM and Why Is It Important? Random Access Memory (RAM) is the short-term memory your computer uses to store data temporarily for active processes. Uninstall or disable them. Using Process Hacker, I can't see anything inside that process actually using any significant amount of memory. Jan 10, 2025 · Although it is integral to Windows functionality, many users experience high memory or CPU usage caused by this process. Step-by-step guide to reduce memory load and improve PC performance. Oct 3, 2023 · Hi, I have a laptop with Windows 10 installed. exe high resources usage in Windows 11 Dec 27, 2025 · A new Windows 11 Insider update optimises File Explorer search by removing redundant indexing operations, promising faster searches, lower memory use, and a cleaner context menu. Cara Atasi Windows Explorer Konsumsi CPU Tinggi (High CPU Usage)Apakah windows / file explorer mengkonsumsi CPU yang tinggi, yang biasa di kenal dengan high 3 days ago · Baseline: open Task Manager and note CPU, Disk, Memory, and Network usage. In rare cases, any wrong step might result in irreversible problems. [citation needed] The Performance tab shows overall statistics about the system's performance, most notably the overall amount of CPU usage and how much memory is being used. I have learned to open the Task manager immediately on bootup, to RESTART or END TASK explorer. Nov 5, 2025 · Windows Explorer high memory usage (2GB+) typically results from problematic shell extensions, corrupted caches, or indexing issues. Jul 5, 2025 · In addition, if you notice Windows Explorer high memory usage problem on Windows 11, run the Windows memory diagnostic tool that helps fix the problem. This detailed article examines the causes, consequences, and solutions for high memory or CPU usage by explorer. My question: is there any way to prevent Explorer to try to load on RAM all of my files' thumbnails? Because that's the only thing I can think of that's happening. In this case, you can try to fix the issue by initiating a ChkDsk scan. Mar 16, 2023 · We have a high speed camera saving small images (mostly <32KB) to disk at a rate of 166 per second for 24 hours or longer. In some cases, you may see Windows Explorer using high CPU resources. Here is what you should do to troubleshoot this issue. After a restart, everything came b Sep 21, 2022 · windows explorer. 5 GB only, meanwhile disk usage goes to 100%. com Sep 16, 2025 · If your Windows 11 has a constant high RAM usage, this article will show you why it happens and how to deal with it in 6 easy ways. Instead of paging out data to the page file and (mostly slow HDD), Windows 10 compresses the data and stores it in the SYSTEM process. when i restart the proccess it's ok for a while but it's starting again. I access it normally with remote desktop. Anyone knows what is the cause? Could it be Intel RST latest driver installment? Using latest drivers from my motherboard page with latest windows updates. If you’re having this issue on your PC, run a full system anti-virus scan. I suspect it's related to folders with lots of files / thumbnails. Dec 17, 2016 · On windows 10 anniversary, Explorer seems to be causing the disk usage to go up to 100% and response times of higher than two seconds. Why Is My Memory Usage So High? Dec 1, 2025 · Microsoft's solution for the sluggish Windows 11 File Explorer is more of a workaround than a proper fix. Sometimes this can be Oct 29, 2023 · Hello, I'm encountering a persistent problem with Windows Explorer where it exhibits high CPU and memory usage whenever I attempt to open a folder with a size exceeding 30 GB. Jun 6, 2022 · file explorer is taking 3300mb ram for no reason, normally it takes 60mbs, but 3gb is a lot, i normally play minecraft at 500fps, now whenever file explorer takes 3gb ram it goes to 20, thats literally in any game not just minecraft, but file explorer… High memory usage on Windows can make the system feel sluggish, trigger application freezes, and increase disk activity when the PC starts swapping data instead of serving it from physical RAM. 9: Minimum 500MHz Pentium IV or comparable 512MB RAM 20MB Hard Disk Space 16bit Sound Card Windows 7 SP1 or later Internet Explorer 10 or newer (for Online Services) 2x speed or greater CDROM (Required for Ripping) Recommended Dual Core 2GHz CPU or greater 1GB RAM or greater 40MB Dec 1, 2024 · This post offers 6 methods on how to fix explorer. Looking at Process Explorer by Sysinternals, it uses 170Mb and I can see all the children process. Dec 19, 2025 · In this how-to guide, I will walk you through practical steps to minimize memory usage on your Windows 11 computer. This made even simple things like switching between tabs, opening a document, or launching File Explorer slower than they should. exe Nov 14, 2024 · Apps lagging or freezing due to high memory usage on Windows 11? Learn how to fix the issue with these quick and effective fixes. Monitoring RAM Usage on Windows 11/10 To identify the cause of high RAM usage, you can monitor your system's memory usage using built-in tools like Task Manager and Resource Monitor. It keeps runnimore Oct 16, 2024 · #fix Windows Explorer high memory usage Jan 5, 2026 · Reddit discussion on high memory usage Windows 11 The "high memory usage Windows 11" problem caused a corresponding discussion in the Reddit post. Jun 25, 2023 · This post explains the reasons why Windows Explorer starts consuming high CPU Usage, and the seven fixes that might resolve this issue. Thanks in advance. Run sfc /scannow and at the end, reboot if the system file checker asks for it. Other applications can be dragged down - "shut off"… Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions you can use to address high RAM usage on your Windows 11/10 computer. Luckily for you, there are some easy fixtures for this type of issue. RAM usage goes up due to background processes, Nov 21, 2023 · Experiencing high memory/RAM usage in Windows 10? Here's a comprehensive guide on how to fix it and optimize your system's performance. exe instance) and if running Steps 1 - 6 don't fix it, it's third-party application related. ms/AAdbw8hPartnerships/Business: itstechbased@outlook. Using windows search to search for thousands of files can also increase the RAM usage for Windows Explorer in Task Manager. Jan 5, 2022 · Connecting my Android phone to an USB3 port for charging also regularly (but not always) induces high CPU usage of explorer. Jun 13, 2021 · I'm experiencing explorer. The last thing you want to encounter is high RAM usage on Windows 11/10. exe" builds up memory usage over time. Oct 15, 2023 · Windows Explorer High Power Usage [Fixed]Windows Explorer is the file manager application on Windows to view the data and also access the Control Panel optio Oct 7, 2021 · As users have noted, File Explorer’s memory usage goes up each time they open File Explorer. Jul 16, 2025 · How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11? Disclaimer: Make sure you have restarted your system if this issue is happening for the first time. Aug 26, 2021 · Is your computer taking ages to load programs, websites, and files in Windows 10 or 11? If your PC's disk seems unusually busy, and Task Manager shows high disk usage, you need to fix it. Sep 10, 2015 · Windows 10 Explorer. Sep 18, 2024 · Additionally, background processes and startup programs can significantly contribute to high memory usage. exe) High CPU Usage High resource consumption can be a problem and affect the device’s performance. Nov 27, 2021 · File Explorer consumes about 160-400 MB in the background from the point of booting my computer to shutting it down. Look at 8 methods to fix it. Since you're experiencing high memory usage (65-70% when idle), your system is already pushing the limits of the installed RAM. Could you provide more information about your system and how much ram your applications are using. The explorer. Thinking about upgrading to 32 GB of RAM, but I'd rather get a s/w fix. This guide walks you through finding the memory hogs, reducing background usage safely, and spotting the signs of leaks in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Re-run the same workload and note changes. The processes system and svchost is also taking high usage. Looking at the embedded Task Manager, my Windows explorer currently use 37Mb of memory. We have a test program that replicates the camera output for testing. windows performance hard-drive windows-explorer Share Improve this question asked Dec 21, 2016 at 10:37 Vineet 12 Feb 26, 2022 · Windows How to Fix Explorer. To boost response times, the OS now preloads the Windows Explorer High Power Usage Error on Windows 11/10 [Solution] Windows Explorer is a file management utility in Windows operating systems. Check installed Add-ons. Oct 17, 2022 · If Windows Explorer is causing High Power Usage on your computer, you can use these proven methods to successfully resolve the issue. exe High CPU and RAM Memory Usage In Windows 11/1000:00 Intro00:12 Step 1 - Change System Configuration01:03 Step 2 - Mem Dec 21, 2016 · The memory usage is only sticking around 2 to 2. exe uses a massive amount of CPU (~50%) and memory (~up to 3 GB). Jul 21, 2016 · Why would write caching cause explorer. Windows manages memory using physical RAM plus virtual memory (the page file) and distributes it across application working sets, file cache, and compressed pages. Pause OneDrive: click the OneDrive cloud icon → Help & Settings → Pause syncing (choose 2 hours). Lumos brings the beloved macOS Quick Look feature to Windows, allowing you to preview files instantly without opening them in their default applications. At times, I've seen it surpassing the 700MB mark. Sometimes explorer. exe process. Here's how. exe in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Oct 11, 2021 · Windows 11 memory leak problem causes File Explorer to eat much RAM after an update. Rebooting explorer. Dec 23, 2025 · Is your Windows 11/10 computer slow down and even stuck due to a high memory usage issue? 10 fixes are available here to help you fix Windows 11/10 high RAM/CPU memory usage problems, making your computer back to work smoothly again. exe resets the memory to normal but it starts to grow as soon as I open it again. Run a malware scan. It takes about 90 seconds for it to get to 100%, at which point my PC locks up. exe that run, one is the Windows Shell and the other is Explorer (the Shell always runs and opening Explorer will open a second explorer. Also, before proceeding, keep a backup of your system because we may touch upon some critical settings. tubebuddy. 5 days ago · Lumos – Quick Look for Windows Instant file previews in Windows Explorer with a single Spacebar press. This issue can lead to sluggish system performance, unresponsive windows, and even system crashes. Windows 11 Explorer High Memory Usage (Big Issue) Apr 20, 2021 · Basically, explorer. Is the memory usage of Windows Explorer within a normal range? Hello, Lately, I've observed that Windows Explorer seems to be consuming a significant amount of RAM.