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Fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage

Unveiling the Hidden Culprit: Taming Desktop Window Manager’s GPU Appetite

Optimize your desktop background: Choose a simple and static wallpaper instead of dynamic or animated ones that consume more GPU resources. This can help reduce the strain on your GPU and improve overall system performance.

Causes of High GPU Usage in Desktop Window Manager

1. Windows 11 or Windows 10 Build 16226: Some versions of Windows may have compatibility issues with the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), causing high GPU usage.

2. Outdated graphics drivers: Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to performance issues and high GPU usage.

3. Problematic apps: Certain applications may put a heavy load on your GPU, causing high usage. Use Task Manager to identify which apps are causing the issue.

4. Hardware problems: Faulty hardware components can also contribute to high GPU usage. Check for any hardware issues and consider seeking professional help if needed.

5. System Maintenance: Regularly performing system maintenance tasks like cleaning up temporary files and optimizing your PC can help reduce GPU usage.

Fixes for High GPU Usage in Desktop Window Manager:

1. Update graphics drivers: Visit the official website of your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, etc.) and download the latest drivers for your GPU model.

2. Close unnecessary apps: Close any unnecessary apps or processes that are using a lot of GPU resources.

3. Adjust power settings: In the power options, set the power plan to “High Performance” to ensure optimal GPU performance.

4. Optimize Windows settings: Disable unnecessary visual effects and animations in the Windows settings to reduce GPU usage.

5. Use specialized tools: Consider using tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard or Outbyte PC Repair to identify and fix any underlying software issues causing high GPU usage.

Remember, troubleshooting high GPU usage in the Desktop Window Manager can require a variety of solutions, so don’t get discouraged if one fix doesn’t work.

Updating Windows and GPU Drivers

To fix the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) high GPU usage issue, it’s essential to update your Windows and GPU drivers. Outdated drivers can often cause performance problems, so keeping them up to date is crucial.

To update your Windows drivers, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your GPU and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest driver.

To update your GPU drivers, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (such as NVIDIA or AMD) and download the latest driver for your specific model.

Remember to restart your computer after installing the updates to ensure they take effect.

Updating your drivers can often resolve GPU usage issues and improve overall performance. If you continue to experience problems, consider seeking further assistance from technical support forums or contacting your hardware manufacturer for additional guidance.

Utilizing Intel DSA or Third-Party Apps for Driver Updates

To fix the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) high GPU usage issue, you can utilize Intel DSA or third-party apps for driver updates. These tools are designed to keep your drivers up to date and optimize your system’s performance.

Here’s how you can use Intel DSA or third-party apps:

1. Download and install Intel Driver & Support Assistant (DSA) from the official Intel website or choose a trusted third-party app like MiniTool Partition Wizard or Outbyte.

2. Launch the tool and let it scan your system for outdated drivers.

3. Once the scan is complete, the tool will provide a list of available driver updates. Update your GPU drivers by following the on-screen instructions.

4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

By updating your drivers, you can resolve the DWM high GPU usage issue and improve your computer’s performance. Remember to regularly check for driver updates to avoid any potential hardware problems.

If you encounter any other GPU issues, such as high CPU usage or high memory usage, it’s essential to troubleshoot them using Task Manager or other relevant tools.

Adjusting Graphics Card Preferences for DWM.exe

To adjust graphics card preferences for DWM.exe and resolve high GPU usage, follow these steps:

1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “NVIDIA Control Panel.”

2. In the left-hand menu, click on “Manage 3D settings.”

3. Under the “Global Settings” tab, scroll down and find “Power management mode.”

4. Change the power management mode to “Prefer maximum performance” to ensure your GPU is utilized effectively.

5. Click on “Apply” to save the changes.

6. Restart your computer to apply the new settings.

By adjusting the graphics card preferences, you can optimize DWM.exe’s performance and reduce GPU usage. This will help resolve any issues you may be experiencing with high GPU usage.

Managing GPU Power Settings and HDR

To manage GPU power settings and HDR, follow these steps:

1. Adjust GPU power settings:
– Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
– Expand the “Display adapters” category, right-click on your GPU, and select “Properties.”
– Go to the “Power Management” tab and check the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
– Click “OK” to save the changes.

2. Enable HDR:
– Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
– Go to “System” and select “Display” from the left-hand menu.
– Scroll down to the “HDR and advanced color” section and toggle the “HDR” switch to “On.”

By adjusting these settings, you can optimize your GPU’s power usage and enable HDR for a better visual experience. Remember to restart your computer after making these changes for them to take effect. If you still experience high GPU usage after following these steps, consider updating your GPU drivers or seeking further assistance from our support team.

Optimizing Resolution and Scaling Settings

To optimize your resolution and scaling settings and resolve the high GPU usage issue with the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty area on your desktop and select “Display settings” from the context menu.
2. Under the “Display” tab, locate the “Resolution” section and choose a lower resolution that suits your needs. This will reduce the load on your GPU.
3. Additionally, consider adjusting the scaling settings. Click on “Advanced scaling settings” and toggle on the “Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry” option.
4. If you’re using multiple monitors, ensure that they are set to the same resolution and scaling settings.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

By optimizing your resolution and scaling settings, you can alleviate the high GPU usage caused by DWM, resulting in improved performance and reduced strain on your system.

Note: If the issue persists, you may need to update your GPU drivers or explore other troubleshooting solutions.

Disabling Startup Apps and Visual Effects

To fix the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) high GPU usage issue, you can disable startup apps and visual effects on your Windows device. Disabling unnecessary startup apps can help reduce the load on your GPU and improve performance. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Disable startup apps:
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
– Go to the Startup tab.
– Disable any apps that you don’t need to start automatically with your computer.

2. Disable visual effects:
– Right-click on the Start button and select System.
– Click on Advanced system settings.
– Under the Performance section, click on Settings.
– In the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance or customize the settings to your preference.

By disabling unnecessary startup apps and visual effects, you can reduce the GPU usage and potentially resolve the high GPU usage issue. Remember to restart your computer after making these changes for them to take effect.

Scanning for Malware and Running System Maintenance

To fix the issue of high GPU usage caused by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), it is important to scan for malware and perform system maintenance. Malware can often interfere with the performance of your system, including the DWM. To ensure your system is free from malware, run a thorough scan using a reliable antivirus software.

Additionally, regular system maintenance is crucial for optimal performance. Start by updating your GPU drivers to the latest version available. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and result in high GPU usage.

Next, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and check for any processes consuming unusually high GPU resources. If you find a process such as “client server runtime process (csrss.exe)” or “dwm.exe” causing high GPU usage, it may be necessary to troubleshoot or reinstall the application associated with it.

Finally, monitor your GPU usage using third-party tools to identify any other potential factors contributing to the high GPU usage. Adjusting the settings of GPU-intensive applications or disabling unnecessary visual effects can also help reduce the load on your GPU.

Disabling Fast Start-up and Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling

To fix the issue of high GPU usage caused by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), you can disable Fast Start-up and Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling.

First, disable Fast Start-up by following these steps:
1. Press the Windows key and type “power options.”
2. Open the Power Options settings.
3. Click on Choose what the power buttons do from the left sidebar.
4. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck the box that says Turn on fast startup.
6. Click Save changes to apply the settings.

Next, disable Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling by following these steps:
1. Right-click on the Desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Graphics settings.
3. Under Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, toggle the switch to Off.
4. Close the settings window to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of high GPU usage caused by the Desktop Window Manager.

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