CPU Usage

CPU usage is defined as the time that a computer's main processing unit or CPU is devoted to executing a program or computer process's instructions. CPU usage is typically measured as a percentage of overall CPU processing capacity. A common problem that computer users face is figuring out how to deal with sources of problems that cause the CPU to approach or reach 100% usage. These problems differ from what normally causes a CPU to reach 100% usage (such as the System Idle Process). The System Idle Process is designed to have a high resource use rate when other applications or processes have not otherwise tasked the computer with conducting work.

What Can Cause High CPU Usage?

There are a number of issues than can cause (almost) 100% of the CPU to become occupied. These include computer viruses, Trojan viruses, insufficient RAM, corrupt computer drivers, corrupt programs, computer worms, and out of date program or hardware drivers.

Scan Your Computer for Malware

Although the danger of computer malware is well-advertised, many computer users fail to keep their antivirus programs updated and set to run automatically.

Step 1 – Download and install an antivirus program on the computer. If purchasing a commercial antivirus program is not an option, many high-end options have free trial versions that can be used to help troubleshoot computer issues.

Step 2 – Select “Update Virus Definitions” or equivalent from the application's control panel in order to update the virus definitions for the existing or newly installed antivirus program.

Step 3 – Completely scan the computer's local drives by choosing the applicable menu option on the antivirus's control panel.

Step 4 – Remove or quarantine any infected files and restart the computer.

Stop High Demand Computer Processes

Step 1- Select “CTRL” + “ALT” + “DEL” and choose “Start Windows Task Manager” from the subsequently displayed menu to open Windows Task Manager.

Step 2 – Click “Performance” at the top of the menu to see the CPU usage.

Step 3 – Click “Applications” to display all of the programs being run.

Step 4 – Click “Processes” to see the programs that are using significant computer resources. Record the names of those using more than 50% of the CPU and select “End Task” beside any using more than 90%. Do not close the “System Idle Process,” which is a normal OS program that should be running.

Remove Programs from Windows Start-up

Step 1 – Select “Start” and “Run.”

Step 2 – Enter “Command” or “Cmd,” then press “Enter.”

Step 3 – Enter “MSCONFIG” then press “Enter.”

Step 4 – Click “Start-up” and uncheck any processes previously stopped from using excessive computer resources to prevent them from being opened during computer restart. Remove only one program at a time before operationally testing to ensure that critical OS processes are not inadvertently turned off.

Step 5 – Restart the computer to ensure that the offending process has been prevented from being started or using computer resources.