Windows explorer constantly consuming 30-35% CPU! How to stop this?

My Windows 10 Pro system recently developed the nasty habit that there always is a Windows Explorer task running that consumes 30-35% CPU (on a 2-core+HT=4 virtual cores) system - a Microsoft Surface Pro laptop/tablet.

This causes heavy drain on battery and causes the vent to run high speed all the time, which is quite annoying!

This process typically starts running within minutes after switching the system on and it keeps running even if I have NO more Explorer window open (except the desktop of course). If I kill it (which does NOT cause the desktop to disappear and restart - so it's obviously NOT the desktop instance of WinExplorer) it also very often, though not always, comes back.

What could cause this? I haven't identified any pattern or trigger that somewhat reliably causes this, yet. Any idea anyone?

PS.: Please spare me the usual "run sfc /scannow" and "scan for viruses" responses! Done that already and I am pretty sure, it's not an infection but rather some bug or misconfiguration.

I would like to have you run a Clean Boot.

How to perform a Clean Boot.

Warning: Disabling items in Services or Startup may leave your antivirus disabled until the process is ended. For this reason I would suggest that you perform this process off line.

Press the keys to open Run, then type msconfig in the search box. This will open System Configuration.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should enter the password or provide confirmation.

(1) Click/tap on the General tab.

(2) Click/tap on the Selective startup option.

(3) Remove the check mark in the Load startup items check box.



4. Click on the Services tab.

5. Place a check mark in the Hide all Microsoft services check box, this will remove the Microsoft Services from the list but will still be running.

6. Click Disable all, this will remove all of the check marks in the Services list.



7. Click on Apply then OK



Click on Restart in the window that opens.

When the computer is restarted it will boot normally.

If the problem does not continue after the restart please do the following.

8. Divide the number of these startup services and programs by two and you place checks in the first half of these, then restart the computer.

9. If the problem doesn't return in those services and programs remove the checks and place checks in the remaining services and programs and restart the computer.

10. When you find which half the service or program is in go on to the next step.

11. The half which has the service causing this problem remove half of the checks as you did previously to see which half has this service. Do the same for the programs. Restart the computer.

12. If it isn't in the first half of these services and programs, do the same with the last half of the services and programs.

13. Once you have narrowed it down to the last three or four services and programs remove the checks one at a time till you find the service or program at fault.

Once you have found the service or program post it in your topic. Do not take any action until I suggest the next step.

Windows Defender

Hi mmo,

If Clean Boot did not work can you please check and see issue persist within Safe Mode.