Windows Desktop Manager is the utility responsible for many of the visual effects you see on Windows. It is almost always running and requires some system resources. However, it shouldn’t be the dominant process consuming your CPU resources, making it difficult to run other processes.
This issue often arises when yoursystem relies on the CPU rather than the GPUfor generating visual effects, especially if you have a mediocre CPU that is incapable of handling these tasks.
However, some people also report that the issue isrelated to specific drivers. If you’reseeing a lot of CPU usageandusing an old driver, it could be the culprit.
It can take time to pinpoint the cause of high system utilization for Desktop Window Manager. So, the best way to approach fixing it is to go through a list of solutions to see which one works for you.
Change Desktop Settings
Since Desktop Window Manager deals with things like your desktop background and theme, changing it might help. It’s especially likely to work if you use custom themes or animated desktops. Displaying these might take a bit of a toll on your system.
Change Priority for DWM Process
Windows allows you to run several Windows processes with different priorities. If you have thedwm.exeprocess set with high priority, it might consume high CPU resources.
In such a case, it is best to set the priority to normal. Doing so operates the process at a standard priority level and helps reduce CPU usage.
Adjust for Best Performance
Windows offers a lot of visual effects to make the UI look more interesting and engaging. However, these might increase the amount of resources Windows uses to rundwm.exe. Turning them off can help you conserve resources.
You may notice some differences inhow things look in your system, but it may also help it work better.
Update Windows and Graphic Drivers
Do it now if you don’t regularlyupdate your operating system. Fixes in these updates can address problems like the Desktop Window Manager’s high resource utilization.
The issue with Desktop Window Manager and high CPU usage may also arise if you have outdated graphics drivers. So, it’s always the best idea tokeep your graphics driver updated.
you may also download drivers from the manufacturer’s website and manually update yourNVIDIAandAMD drivers.
Once you’re done with the process, restart your computer and check on the Desktop Window Manager resource utilization.
Run a Virus Scan
An unwanted program may cause problems on your computer. Sometimes the signs of a virus or malware are subtle issues like high resource utilization. Luckily,Windows has its own antivirus softwareto help you keep your computer secure.
It might take a little time for your computer to finish scanning for viruses. Once it’s done, take any recommended actions and restart your computer to see whether the problem is fixed.
If youuse a different antivirus, open the program and run a full scan.
Kill the Process Itself
Thedwm.exeprocess can also be stopped. Some users report a workaround where you may stop the process when you boot up the system and then may have a few hours without high CPU usage.
If you are encounteringhigh GPU usagedue to Windows Desktop Manager, refer to our guide onDesktop Window Manager High GPU on Windows.
