Windows Explorer, or File Explorer, is the centerpiece for navigating your files on Windows 11, but it can turn into a resource hog sometimes—especially after a big update. You might notice the process suddenly eating up 20% to 50% of your CPU power, and even when you close Explorer, it stubbornly keeps running in the background, dragging down your PC’s performance. Yep, it’s frustrating. This can happen due to a bunch of issues—corrupted system files, leftover updates, malware lurking around, or conflicts with third-party apps. If your Explorer is running hot and slowing down the whole system, there are some pretty reliable fixes that can help tame it. Some are quick, like restarting, and others might involve digging into system settings or running diagnostic commands. The goal here is to get Explorer back to behaving normally so your PC can breathe again. This list of methods is from experience—some worked on one machine, not so much on another, but hey, worth a shot.
How to Fix Windows Explorer High CPU Usage in Windows 11
Fix 1: Restart Your Computer
This might seem obvious, but restarting the PC can clear out random glitches and temporary cache files that might be causing Explorer to munch on CPU unnecessarily. On some setups, this works instantly; on others, it might take a reboot or two. Basically, it flushes out random data that’s cluttering things up and resets the Explorer process. If the high CPU issue was caused by a temporary hiccup, this usually does the trick. Keep in mind, sometimes Windows just needs a fresh start—so don’t skip this simple step first.
Fix 2: Boot into a Clean Boot Environment
Most of the time, a third-party app or service conflicts with Explorer—especially if the problem kicked in after installing new software. Doing a clean boot helps isolate that culprit. On Windows 11, you press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter. Under the Services tab, check *Hide all Microsoft services* (to avoid disabling core OS components), then click Disable all. Next, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. From there, disable all startup apps one by one—sometimes a background app is sneaking in and causing trouble. Then, close Task Manager, go back to msconfig, and click OK. Restart your PC. If Explorer’s CPU leveling out, it means one of those third-party apps was the villain. This method is kinda handy for troubleshooting weird conflicts.
Fix 3: Make Sure Windows is Up to Date
Windows updates often include fixes for bugs or issues that might cause Explorer to go wild. Keeping Windows 11 patched up is essential. Just hit the Start Menu, go to Settings > Windows Update, then click Check for updates. If updates are waiting, let them download and install. Sometimes, the high CPU stake is due to an outdated build. After updates are applied, reboot and see if that makes a difference. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary, sometimes you gotta manually fetch those updates to fix weird behaviors.
Fix 4: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Commands
Corrupted Windows system files are a prime suspect for unexplained high CPU usage. Running the System File Checker is straightforward. Open an Administrator Command Prompt (hit Windows key + S, type cmd, right-click, choose Run as administrator).Then type: sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Walk away—it’ll take a few minutes. If there are corrupt files, SFC will attempt to fix them, but sometimes it can’t handle everything. In that case, run the DISM command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Reboot after each scan. This process repairs underlying system issues that could be causing Explorer issues—nothing magical, but it’s effective in lots of situations.
Fix 5: Scan for Malware and Viruses
Infections are sneaky—they can cause all sorts of system slowdowns, including high CPU usage from processes like Explorer. Use Windows Security (hit the Start menu, then Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security) and run a full scan. If you prefer third-party options like Norton or Bitdefender, make sure they are up to date before scanning. Sometimes malware mimics or hijacks Explorer, so a clean scan can fix it. Keep in mind, some antivirus software run scans in the background—if it’s heavily scanning or outdated, it might actually cause the CPU to spike. In that case, temporarily disable or uninstall the third-party antivirus and see if that helps resolve the issue.
Fix 6: Disable SysMain (Superfetch) Service
Some users swear that turning off the SysMain service (known as Superfetch on older systems) reduces CPU load. Kind of weird, but hey—if Explorer is slowing things down, it’s worth trying. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Locate SysMain, right-click, and choose Stop. If CPU usage drops, you can make the change permanent by double-clicking SysMain, setting Startup type to Disabled, and clicking OK. It’s not a universal fix, but on some setups, it’s a game-changer. Also consider disabling Windows Search or Windows Update services temporarily if they are hogging CPU.
Fix 7: Restore Power Plan to Default (Laptop Users)
If you’re on a laptop, a custom power plan might hold the CPU at high performance or prevent low power states. Resetting it to default can help. Hit Windows key + S, type edit power plan, and select edit power plan. Then, click Restore default settings for this plan. Confirm with Yes, then restart your PC. This step is simple and can often fix performance snags caused by power management settings.
Fix 8: Unlink Your OneDrive Account
Sometimes, a syncing issue with OneDrive can make Explorer go haywire and spike CPU usage. If you notice high memory or CPU usage on Explorer, try unlinking your OneDrive account—at least temporarily. Click the OneDrive icon in the Taskbar, then hit the gear icon and choose Settings. Under the Account tab, click Unlink this PC and confirm. This disconnects the sync process, which might fix the problem. If you’re still hitting weird issues, creating a new Windows user account might be a last resort. Just open an administrator Command Prompt, type net user newusername /add, and log in with that account to see if the issue persists there. Weird, but sometimes user profile corruption is at play.
Not sure why Explorer is acting up, but giving a few of these options a try might just smooth things out. Often, a combination of these steps brings back normalcy—especially after some updates or hardware changes.
Summary
- Try restarting, it’s quick and often enough.
- Boot into a clean state to see if the problem’s caused by third-party apps.
- Keep Windows updated—fixes are rolled out all the time.
- Run SFC and DISM scans to repair corrupted system files.
- Scan for malware to rule out infections.
- Disable SysMain and other services if they seem to hang on CPU.
- Reset your power plan if you’re on a laptop.
- Unlink OneDrive if syncing causes issues, or try creating a new user profile.
Wrap-up
High CPU usage from Windows Explorer can be a real headache, but luckily, most fixes are straightforward once you know where to look. Sometimes it’s just a glitch that clears up after a reboot, others might need a more hands-on approach like running system scans or disabling certain services. Hope this gets one update moving smoothly again—fingers crossed it helps someone save hours of troubleshooting. Not everything will work every time, but trying out these tips covers most bases.