Solved: Windows 10 High CPU usage after update ! 2025

Windows updates are meant to improve performance, security, and stability. However, sometimes you may experience high CPU usage after updating Windows 10. Users report CPU shows extremely high usage (99% or 100%) even if nothing is running in the background. Well, this issue can affect both desktop and laptop users, slow down the system, and cause overheating or unresponsive. There are Various reasons for Windows 10 High CPU usage, including a buggy Windows update, System file corruption, incompatible drivers, corrupted registry entry, Virus malware infection, and more. Whatever the reason, here are several methods help you resolve the problem and reduce CPU usage Windows 10.

Why is my CPU at 100% when nothing is running

A 100% CPU usage, even when nothing appears to be running, can be due to various factors, including background processes, malware, outdated software, or hardware issues.

• Windows Update Processes Running in the Background – After installing updates, Windows may continue indexing files or downloading additional components, consuming high CPU power.
• Corrupt or Incomplete Windows Updates – If an update fails or installs incorrectly, it can cause processes to consume excessive CPU.
• Driver Compatibility Issues – Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to high CPU usage due to continuous system conflicts.
• Malware or Background Applications – Malicious software or unnecessary programs running in the background can strain the CPU.
• Windows Search and Indexing – The indexing process may spike CPU usage temporarily, especially after an update.
• Third-Party Software Conflicts – Some applications may not be optimized for the latest Windows updates, leading to performance issues.

Restart Your Computer

First of all, restart your PC. This helps if any program or service is stuck running and eating up system resources, and that also fixes any temporary glitch causing 100 CPU usage as well.

• Click the Start button.
• Select Power > Restart.
• Wait for the system to reboot and check if the CPU usage has returned to normal.

Restarting allows Windows to finalize updates, close stuck processes, and free up system resources.

In addition Disconnect all external devices such as a printer, scanner, audio jack and check if CPU usage comes to normal.

Certain Windows processes or third-party applications may be consuming excessive CPU. Open task manager using the keyboard shortcut, ctrl + shift + Esc. Right-click programs that are taking high memory and CPU usage then click “End Task” to close selected programs or apps.

Pro Tip: If due to this problem system freezes continuously, don’t allow to perform any solution that causes start Windows in safe mode and apply the solutions below.

If you notice Google Chrome causing High CPU usage, then apply the solutions listed here.

Check for Pending Updates

Sometimes, a Windows update may not have installed properly, causing system conflicts and increased CPU usage. Installing the latest Windows updates also ensures that bug fixes and performance improvements are applied and reduces unnecessary CPU consumption.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
• Restart your PC and check if the CPU usage improves.

Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Whenever you start your Windows PC, some of the programs automatically get started by themselves without your knowledge. For example, antivirus software, Java updaters, downloaders, etc. Again, too many startup applications can undoubtedly lead to Unnecessary system resource usage and sluggish PC performance.

• Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt+ Del key on the keyboard.
• Then Move To the Start tab, which will display the list of all programs that automatically run with the PC startup.
• Right-click on the applications that needn’t be run at startup and select “Disable”.

In addition, some background apps continue running even when not in use, leading to high CPU consumption.

• Open Settings (Win + I). Go to Privacy > Background apps.
• Toggle Let apps run in the background to Off, or disable apps individually.

Uninstall unwanted programs

Uninstall unwanted or preinstalled applications as many you can. Doesn’t matter whether you work on some software or not. But if it is installed on your PC then it will surely use up space, and consume system resources.

To uninstall unwanted programs on Windows 10

• Press the Windows + R key, Then Type appwiz.cpl and hit the Enter key.
• This will open the Programs and Features window.
• Here, you see all the programs installed on your system
• Right-click on the program that you want to remove, then click uninstall.

Check for Corrupted System files on your computer

Corrupt system files after an update can lead to high CPU usage and slow down the system performance. Run built-in SFC and DISM reatorehealth command helps with restore missing system files with the correct one.

• Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (Win + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator).
• First, run sfc /scannow command to scan the system for missing corrupted system files.
• Next, run the DISM restore health command, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, to scan and repair the Windows system image.

Once the scanning process is complete, restart your PC and check if the CPU usage comes to normal.

Disable Windows Search Indexing

Windows Search Indexing helps speed up file searches but can cause high CPU usage, especially after an update.

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Find Windows Search in the list.
• Right-click it and select Properties.
• In the Startup type dropdown, select Disabled.
• Click Apply > OK, then restart your PC.

In addition, look for Bits and Sysmain service and disable them as well.

Now, check if disabling these services reduces background CPU usage.

Adjust Windows 10 for best performance

• Search for performance and select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
• Here, under the Visual Effects tab select the radio button Adjust for Best Performance.
• Click Apply and ok to close and take effect the changes.

Make sure Installed Drivers Are updated

As we already discussed, incompatible drivers can result in a memory leak and different system problems, Make the system slower. So it’s important to check and install the latest updated Device drivers on your system to fix all the driver issues

To check and update Drivers’ open Device manager by right-clicking on the Windows Start menu and select Device Manager. Here, you can update all the drivers, but the most important drivers that need to be updated are:

• Graphics Card driver
• Chipset driver
• Networking/LAN drivers
• USB drivers
• audio drivers

Now expand and right-click on the Driver that you want to update (Ex, Graphics driver) and select update driver. Or you can visit the device manufacturer’s website and get the up-to-date drivers from there. Check how to update/reinstall the device driver on windows 10.

Updated drivers improve compatibility and ensure better performance after a Windows update.

Reset Your Power Plan

Power Options have a significant impact on your PC’s performance. If your computer is on a Power saver, especially if you have changed its plan settings, it will cause your CPU to become higher.

• Open the control panel,
• Search for and select power options,
• If you’re on “High Performance” or “Power Saver,” then switch to “Balanced.”
• Then click Change plan settings which is next to the Balanced.
• Now, you just need to click Restore default settings for this plan and click OK to make the changes.

Disable runtime broker

Note: Disabling the Runtimeborker didn’t affect your Windows 10 computer. The Runtime Broker isn’t a necessary process.

• Press the Windows key + R, type regedit and click ok to open the Windows registry editor.
• Now, first backup registry database then navigate to the following path:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TimeBroker
• Here On the right side of the pane, double-click on Start and change the Value data from 3 to 4.

Note: 4 is Disabled, 3 is Manual and 2 is Automatic startup.

That’s all. Now restart Windows and check if there is no more high Disk usage or 100% CPU usage problem with Windows 10.

Also, Read

• How to remove activate Windows 10 watermark permanently
• Fix Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error in Windows 10
• Solved: Windows 10 brightness not working (can’t adjust screen brightness) 
• Microsoft Windows search indexer high CPU usage Windows 10 !!!
• 9 Ways to Fix 100% Disk Usage Problem in Windows 11
• 8 Ways to fix Windows Explorer High CPU Usage on windows 11