KB5000842 released to fix File Explorer high CPU usage in Windows 10

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by Sinziana Mihalache 

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Key notes

  • With the new Windows KB5000842, Explorer's high CPU usage is conveniently fixed, and hopefully for good.
  • This cumulative update also fixes some instances where File Explorer froze.
  • The update is available only for those part of the Insider Program for now.
  • It's expected that Microsoft releases a comprehensive update for all users later this spring.
windows KB5000842

Microsoft recently released a new cumulative update for Windows 10 21H1 preview; it contains several bug fixes, among them a few ones that address high CPU usage.

This new cumulative update, KB5000842, makes for the bigger update that Microsoft has launched for those who are part of their Insider program.

Notable improvements in this new build that any Windows user can benefit from are being brought to the performance of File Explorer processes.

Namely, the developers have addressed issues where the Explorer search froze or where the program used too much memory.

Toward a more reliable File Explorer experience

explorer high cpu usage

Being an important component of the Windows 10 OS, File Explorer has been constantly improved via the latest Windows updates. The newest addition is a faster search bar.

However, Explorer has also been underperforming for many users, and with this update, Microsoft seems to have fixed several issues:

We fixed an issue with a heap leak that might cause explorer.exe to consume high amounts of memory.

We fixed an issue that might cause File Explorer and other applications to stop responding for several minutes. This issue occurs after a client reconnects to the corporate network and attempts to use mapped drives to access file shares on the corporate network.

We fixed an issue that causes multiple instances of explorer.exe to run on a system when AppLocker is enabled and the system is not on the internet.

The update also fixes an issue where the Explorer column header gets stuck with a Computing Filters message appears or the program simply freezes when you click on filters.

In case you’re still experiencing problems with File Explorer, checking for malware or removing temporary files are a few useful basic steps to troubleshoot the situation.

The cumulative updates notes also mention the recent BSoD printer fix that was caused by the latest Patch Tuesday files.

The full release note are available in the Insider Program resources so if you’ve experienced trouble with your OS lately, be sure to check them out.

More about the topics: windows 10 updates

Sinziana Mihalache

Sinziana Mihalache Shield

Sînziana loves getting people to better understand products, processes, and experiences beyond a simple user guide, either in writing or making use of images. She joined the team after a long-term collaboration with one of the world's top cybersecurity companies - Bitdefender. Outside work, Sînziana enjoys climbing mountains, backpacking around the world, and writing about almost anything on her blog.

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