How to reduce high CPU usage problem

Here's how you can figure out the reason behind the high CPU usage.

1. Download the Process Explorer from Microsoft Technet.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processexplorer.aspx

2. After you download this tool. Run it and check out the process list that shows who consumes the most CPU.

3. Once you figure out which process takes a lot of CPU, you have to find out how to stop it or set it automatic.

4. Stop the processes which are taking more CPU by going to services from control panel.

You can also use Process explorer to shut down the process tree and get some spare CPU. However unless you shut down the process itself, you can't have this automated way. You have to use process explorer everytime it goes high CPU. So I suggest find a way to disable processes that you don't need.

Do check out Black Viper's tweaks for Windows 7. These tweaks help you get control over your computer and avoid clutter. It also has the guide for clearing some process as well.

Check this page on how to do that : http://www.blackviper.com/2009/10/01/black-vipers-windows-7-super-tweaks/

One more suggestion: Malware and some viruses also hog the default process tree which you can't shut down. So do check your computer for the good antivirus and antimalware.

High CPU usage normally occurs in Windows OS after a period of time as per the usage. This happens due to bulk of load on Registry which creates dumps and it occurs to the CPU usage issue.

Registry problem only happens if you are using your PC resources out of limit. Here are some tips which will help you in solving your issue.

Limit resources for a hungry program using Task Manager
1. Open task manger by using Control + Shift + Esc (Escape) key simultaneously.
2. You will be shown a list of programs running at that. Find the most resource-hungry program.
3. Right Click on it and click on 'Go to Process'
4. You will be navigated to its core process. Right Click on that and click on Set Priority and change its value to Low.

Generally, it will stop that program from using high resources which will solve that issue. (If there are more than one resource-hungry programs then you will have to follow these procedures with all of them.)

This issue can be also caused by Worms or Backdoor programs installed on your PC. You can use these steps to remove them.
1. Install an antivirus program (not more than one not even Internet security.). Try to get a light weight antivirus program such as Windows Defender which does its job pretty well.
2. Scan your full system and delete all the viruses detected.

These were the main steps which will most of the time solve your issue but if still you are facing it then you will have to re-install your OS.

I will prefer you to install any Linux OS because they are less resource hungry and gives very fast performance as well.

A few tips to reduce high CPU usage could be -

Use Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously to open Task Manager.

2. Click on Processes tab. Set the processes in the order of CPU usage.

3. Check for the task that uses maximum task. If you do not need the process, click on It and select End Task.

You may need to repeat this procedure every time your CPU runs out of resources.

Upgrade the Graphics card
If your system has a graphics card, it should be able to handle graphics with its own GPU and virtual memory. In cases of graphics card being malfunctioning, the graphics processes use CPU memory and RAM and thus cause your resources to go kaput.
It would be advisable to change or upgrade your graphics card for better performance.

Limit the processes that auto start
Many programs are configured to auto start with every boot of the machine. Few of them are indeed not used most of the time. Limit these processes. You can do it by going to msconfig tool. Remove the unneeded programs from auto starting.

Check for malware/virus
High CPU usage can be caused by the presence of malware or virus within the system. If you have an anti virus solution installed, check for updates and also update the virus database. For identifying malware, install malware removal tools. Malwarebytes is one such good tool.

These methods in addition to the ones mentioned in the previous responses can help out in reducing your CPU usage.

Please remember that your computer will not be using more than say 10% of your system resources at any given time. An application will normally use around 50% of the CPU (at the most). If you are using a resource hungry app such as a game, or playing a high resolution video, the CPU usage may spike up temporarily and then get back to normal. A constant high CPU usage definitely means there Is something wrong with your applications, or system. It would be advisable to take corrective action.

Here are the few tips to fix high CPU usage for windows 7 OS.

Basically, your computer runs default number of programs in the system while starting the system. These programs which are enabled will consume more time before starting up the PC. So, you can improve performance and prevent high CPU usage by removing the number of programs on this list. Few examples of such programs are torrents, Skype etc. So, just turn of this and you open the app if needed. Turn off those programs by going through below process.

Go to windows icon at bottom left and click on run and then type cmd and command prompt will be opened. ( you can also try windows icon + R )

Type into the Run prompt: MSConfig

Click on the Startup tab.

Just go through the list and turn off the fewer priority ones and you can decrease the usage of the CPU usage and boost up the start process in the system.

Uninstall all the junk software, you can go to through the windows and in search option search for uninstall a program and go through the programs and find the unwanted apps, which may be installed by some automated programs while browsing.

Update all the drivers, go to Run and type devmgmt.msc and view all the drivers and check whether they all are updated and if not update them to the latest versions.

Update the windows version to windows 10, because all the apps now will not support earlier version, as Microsoft wants to push the mandatory update to windows 10 for all the systems, so update to windows 10.

Scan for virus using antivirus or windows defender and remove the virus, if any founded.

Few years ago, I ran into a similar problem with my PC hanging every now and then and shutting itself down. The CPU usage in my case was also 100% everytime. I checked and double checked each of the solutions mentioned above by fellow TEC members, to no avail.

Finally, after a lot of research, I found the culprit and solved the issue within 10 minutes. Would you like to know the culprit?

Dirt and dust in the CPU Fan!

That's right. One of the main reasons why your PC would show 100% CPU usage is the inability of the CPU fan to cool it down. When was the last time you cleaned up the CPU fan?

If there's a lot of dirt and dust collected in and around your CPU, the fan will not be able to cool it down, which invariably leads to frequent hangs ups and incorrect shutdowns.

My suggestion: Open up the PC cabinet, take out the CPU fan and clean it thoroughly with a cloth or a soft toothbrush. If you are into heavy CPU intensive software or gaming, I suggest installing an additional fan on the body of the cabinet in order to disperse the heat properly. Pay attention to the location you install it to so that the airflow (inflow & outflow) is not affected.