How to Fix Explorer.EXE High CPU Usage

If Explorer.exe (the process that controls the instance of Windows Explorer that is running on your computer) is using too much of your CPU's available resources, this is a sign of an error with the file itself. Fix this error by restarting the process. Though you could do so by restarting your computer, there is a way that you can restart only Explorer.exe without shutting down your computer and booting it back up again.

Instructions

1. Right-click the "Start" bar.

2. Click "Start Task Manager."

3. Click "Processes."

4. Click "Explorer.exe." Click "End Process." Click "OK." This shuts down Explorer.exe.

5. Click "Applications." Click "New Task." Type "Explorer.exe" and click "OK." This restarts Explorer.exe, fixing its high CPU usage issues.

References

• Microsoft: How to Use and Troubleshoot Issues with the Windows Task Manager