How to Reduce High CPU Usage on Your Windows Computer

High CPU usage can significantly impact the performance of your Windows computer, making it slower and less responsive. This guide provides practical steps to identify and reduce the services consuming excessive CPU and battery resources.

Identify and Disable Unnecessary Windows Biometric Services

Windows includes several biometric features such as fingerprint and facial recognition. If these features are not used, they can consume significant CPU resources. To disable these services:

Open the Run dialog by pressing Win R.

Type and hit Enter.

Locate the Windows Biometric Service.

Right-click on it and select Properties.

In the Startup type dropdown, select Disabled.

Click Stop to stop the service immediately, then click OK.

Manage Local System Services

Local system services can also consume resources, especially if they are not necessary. Use the Task Manager to identify and manage these services:

Open the Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.

Go to the Details tab and find the service that is consuming resources.

Right-click on the service and select Open Services. This will highlight the services running under that host.

Identify the non-essential services and stop or disable them:

Right-click on the service and choose Properties.

Set Startup type to Disabled if you do not need the service.

Check for Windows Updates

Outdated or problematic system updates can cause high CPU usage. To address this issue:

Go to Settings rarr; Update Security rarr; Windows Update.

Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.

Run a Malware Scan

Malware can also be responsible for high CPU usage. Perform a full system scan using Windows Defender or any trusted antivirus software:

Open the Settings and navigate to Update Security rarr; Windows Security.

Select Virus threat protection.

Click on Scan now and choose Full.

Optimize Startup Programs

The number of programs that start automatically with Windows can also impact performance. To minimize this:

Open the Task Manager and go to the Startup tab.

Disable unnecessary programs from the list.

Perform a Simple Restart

A simple restart can often resolve temporary issues causing high CPU usage:

Simply restart your computer.

Advanced Troubleshooting Options

If the above steps do not address the issue, consider the following:

Update or reinstall drivers, especially for your hardware components.

Check for system file errors using the System File Checker with the command: sfc /scannow.

Perform a clean boot to identify if background applications are causing the issue.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to manage or disable the services consuming excessive CPU and battery resources. Ensure that you only disable services that you are certain are not needed, as some are crucial for system functionality.