Explorer.exe is creating high CPU usage: How can I solve this problem?

richard2277 · 31 Dec 2017

Hi. My ACER 5315 is hardly useable, and it looks like Windows Explorer is the culprit. In Task Manager I've got a reading of 99% on CPU usage. And Windows Explorer is using around 40 - 60%.

I've run sfc / scannow and no problems. I've run chkdsk on C drive. I've rebuilt icons cache file.

I just wonder if some file on my desktop is corrupted. But,it is a pain having to remove all files from my desktop and put them back because I'm running Fences and it takes ages placing all my files and folders back. I seem to remember a blank space on my desktop where there was something, but no icon showing.

dalchina · 31 Dec 2017

Please boot to Safe Mode and advise CPU usage.
Then please do a clean boot and advise CPU usage.
If high, please post a screenshot of your task manager - processes and performance tab- organising columns high to low by clicking the appropriate column heading, and choosing screenshots that show anything of interest from the various options.
If not high, please boot normally and do this.

Please download and run Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) and post a screenshot of its GUI.
(You may prefer to do this after a clean boot if CPU use is lower).

In particular what is your disk and RAM usage when CPU usage is high? - This will become apparent from your screenshots.

To post a screenshot please use the icon to the left of the video icon above your post rather than some URL. Thanks!

But,it is a pain having to remove all files from my desktop and put them back because I'm running Fences and it takes ages placing all my files and folders back.

Two suggestions:
a. Don't put significant items on your desktop
b. Consider relocating your desktop to a partition or disk other than C:
That way, data is retained whatever you do to your OS. Best keep user data off C:

I just wonder if some file on my desktop is corrupted.

Your desktop is just a particular representation of data files in a folder.

richard2277 · 02 Jan 2018

Hi. Thanks for the direction. What I did was arrange for a safe boot. Then once that was in place arranged for a clean boot. Then, when that was in place proceeded to go through the proceedure for finding out what is causing the problem, by adding back services and start up items. Anyway, the cut the story short, it looks like it is my Acronis backup app that is the problem. Currently it's not enabled in start up items. I'll probably have to do a re-install.

dalchina · 02 Jan 2018

Good- methodical elimination is great for 3rd party progs.

Too many people have problems with Acronis. We recommend Macrium Reflect (free) for disk imaging as the most robust solution- of course there are others with easier GUIs.