How to Fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage in Windows 10/11 (2024)

Are you experiencing slow performance and a high GPU usage issue on your Windows 10/11 desktop? One of the common culprits could be the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) process. DWM is responsible for managing visual effects, such as transparency and animations, but it can also consume a significant amount of GPU resources. Don’t fret! In this blog post, we’ll provide you with some easy-to-follow steps to fix the Desktop Window Manager high GPU usage issue in Windows 10/11. Whether you’re a tech novice or an experienced user, these tips will help optimize your system’s performance and improve its overall speed. So let’s dive right into it!

Fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage Issue in Windows 11/10 (2024)

The Desktop Window Manager (DWM) process is a crucial component of the Windows operating system that manages various visual effects to enhance user experience. However, sometimes it can cause high GPU usage, leading to slow performance and decreased productivity. If you’re facing this issue on your Windows 11/10 desktop, don’t worry; there are ways to fix it.

Before you start troubleshooting, make sure to check if you’ve installed the latest updates for your Windows version. The latest patches often contain bug fixes and optimizations that can improve system performance.

Updating your graphics card drivers is another essential step in fixing the DWM high GPU usage issue. You can either use third-party tools like Intel DSA or manually download the updated drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

If updating drivers doesn’t work, try disabling hardware acceleration by turning off Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS). This feature allows apps to directly access GPU memory but may cause compatibility issues with some applications.

Additionally, adjusting visual effects settings in Windows 11/10 such as transparency and animations can also reduce DWM’s impact on system resources. By following these tips, you’ll be able to resolve Desktop Window Manager high GPU usage issues quickly and efficiently without compromising your computer’s functionality!

Get the Latest Windows Update

Getting the latest Windows update is crucial when it comes to fixing the Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage issue in Windows 10/11. Microsoft regularly releases updates that contain bug fixes, patches and security improvements for their operating system.

To check if you have the latest update installed on your computer, click on Start Menu then go to Settings > Update & Security. If there’s an available update, download and install it immediately.

By updating your Windows OS, you can ensure that all necessary drivers are up-to-date which will help reduce high GPU usage caused by DWM.exe. Additionally, updated versions of Windows may also include performance optimizations and new features that could improve overall system performance.

So always make sure to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest version of Windows to get rid of any possible issues related to high GPU usage caused by DWM.exe.

Update Your GPU Drivers

Updating your GPU drivers is a crucial step to fix the Desktop Window Manager high GPU usage issue in Windows 10/11. Outdated or corrupted graphics card drivers can cause various performance and display issues, including DWM high GPU usage.

To update your GPU drivers, you can use either Intel DSA or third-party apps like Driver Booster and Snappy Driver Installer. These tools scan your system for outdated or missing device drivers and install the latest versions automatically.

Alternatively, you can download the latest driver package from your graphics card manufacturer’s website manually. Make sure to select the correct operating system version and driver type before downloading and installing it.

After updating your GPU drivers, restart your computer to apply the changes. If you still experience high DWM GPU usage after updating the drivers, try other solutions listed in this guide.

Use Intel DSA or Third-Party Apps to Update Drivers

Updating your GPU drivers is one of the most effective ways to fix Desktop Window Manager high GPU usage issue in Windows 10/11. One option is to use Intel DSA, a tool developed by Intel that automatically detects and installs the latest updates for your system’s drivers. This can save you time and effort, especially if you are not familiar with updating drivers manually.

Another option is to use third-party apps like Driver Booster or SlimDrivers which scan your system for outdated drivers and provide you with the latest versions available on their database. These tools usually come with additional features such as driver backup and restore options, making it easier to manage your system’s drivers.

However, it’s important to be cautious when using third-party apps as some may contain malware or adware that could harm your computer. Make sure to download these tools from reputable sources only.

Whether you choose Intel DSA or a third-party app, keeping your drivers up-to-date can help improve performance issues related to high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager.

Manually Set DWM.exe to Use Integrated Graphics Card

Manually setting DWM.exe to use the integrated graphics card is an effective solution for fixing high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager. By default, Windows uses the dedicated GPU to run DWM.exe, which can lead to high resource consumption and slow performance.

To manually set DWM.exe to use the integrated graphics card, you will need to access your computer’s graphics settings. This process may vary depending on your system configuration and manufacturer.

Once you have accessed your graphics settings, navigate to the section that allows you to specify which GPU should be used for specific applications or processes. Look for DWM.exe in the list of running processes and select it. Then choose “Integrated Graphics” as its preferred processor.

After making this change, Windows will use the integrated graphics card instead of the dedicated one when running Desktop Window Manager. This can significantly reduce GPU usage and improve overall system performance.

It’s important to note that this solution may not work for all systems or configurations, so be sure to consult with a professional if you’re unsure about how best to adjust your computer’s settings.

Prevent Using Integrated GPU, Keep Only One GPU Active

If you have multiple GPUs installed in your system, it’s essential to ensure that only one GPU is active and being used. In some cases, the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) may use your integrated graphics card instead of the dedicated GPU, causing high GPU usage and performance issues.

To prevent this from happening, you need to disable your integrated graphics card from device manager or BIOS settings. This will force Windows to use only the dedicated GPU for all display-related tasks.

To do this, open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X keys on your keyboard and selecting “Device Manager.” Find your integrated graphics card under Display Adapters and right-click on it. Select “Disable” from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can access BIOS settings during bootup and disable the onboard graphics option. Note that disabling an integrated GPU may lead to lesser battery life on laptops since they rely more heavily on their onboard GPUs than desktops.

By keeping only one active GPU at a time, you’ll not only reduce high CPU usage but also improve overall system performance.

Turn Off Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)

If you’ve noticed that your GPU is being heavily utilized by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), one possible solution is to turn off Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS). This feature was introduced in Windows 10 version 2004 and can cause high GPU usage on some systems.

To disable HAGS, first open the Windows Settings app and go to System > Display. Scroll down and click on “Graphics settings” under the Multiple displays section. In the Graphics settings window, turn off “Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling” if it’s currently enabled.

After disabling HAGS, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. You should notice a decrease in DWM-related GPU usage after doing so.

It’s worth noting that not all systems will experience issues with HAGS enabled, so this may not be necessary for everyone. However, if you’re experiencing high GPU usage from DWM and have exhausted other solutions, turning off HAGS could be worth trying out.

Change Power Mode in Nvidia Control Panel

If you have an Nvidia graphics card, changing the power mode in the Nvidia Control Panel can help reduce the high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager. This is a quick and easy fix that can make a big difference in your system’s performance.

To change the power mode, open up the Nvidia Control Panel and navigate to Manage 3D Settings. Under Global Settings, find Power Management Mode and select Prefer Maximum Performance. This will ensure that your graphics card runs at full power all the time instead of switching between different modes.

However, keep in mind that this option may increase energy consumption and generate more heat from your GPU. So if you are using a laptop or running on battery power, it might not be ideal to choose this option as it could drain your battery faster.

Changing the Power Management Mode in Nvidia Control Panel is just one of many solutions you can try to fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage issue on Windows 10/11. Try out different options until you find what works best for your hardware configuration and personal preferences.

Turn Off HDR in Windows Display Settings

If you’re experiencing high GPU usage on your Windows 10/11 PC, turning off HDR in the display settings is one potential fix. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and enhances the color accuracy and brightness of images and videos on compatible displays.

However, enabling HDR can also cause performance issues and increase GPU usage. To turn it off, go to Settings > System > Display > Windows HD Color, then toggle “Play HDR Games and Apps” to Off.

Disabling HDR may slightly reduce visual quality but should improve overall system performance. Keep in mind that not all displays support HDR, so if yours doesn’t have this feature, there’s no need to worry about disabling it.

Additionally, some users have reported that certain applications or games require turning off HDR to function properly. If you encounter any issues after disabling it, try re-enabling it specifically for those programs rather than leaving it turned on system-wide.

Use Recommended Resolution & Scaling Settings

Using recommended resolution and scaling settings can help fix the issue of high GPU usage by Desktop Window Manager in Windows 10/11. Setting a lower resolution or using an incorrect scaling setting can cause DWM to use more resources, leading to high GPU usage.

To adjust these settings, go to the Display Settings menu in Windows 10/11. From there, click on “Advanced display settings” and choose the recommended resolution for your monitor. It’s important not to set a higher resolution than your monitor is capable of displaying as this can also lead to high GPU usage.

Additionally, you should check the scaling settings for your display. If it’s set too high or too low, it could cause performance issues with DWM. Try adjusting the scale percentage until you find a comfortable balance between readability and performance.

Using recommended resolution and scaling settings is an easy way to optimize your system for better performance while avoiding unnecessary strain on your GPU caused by DWM.

Turn Off Fast Start-up In Windows Settings

One of the potential reasons for high GPU usage in Windows 10/11 is the Fast Start-up feature. This feature allows your computer to start up faster by saving system information to a file when you shut down, and then using that information to quickly boot up when turned on again.

However, this can sometimes lead to conflicts with drivers and hardware settings, resulting in high GPU usage by Desktop Window Manager. To fix this issue, it’s recommended that you turn off Fast Start-up in Windows Settings.

To do so, first open Power Options from Control Panel or search bar. Then select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left-hand menu and click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”. Scroll down until you see “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and uncheck it if it’s checked.

Disabling Fast Start-up may increase your boot time slightly but should help alleviate any issues related to high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager.

Disable Startup Apps in Windows 11/10

When you start up your computer, various programs and apps also start running in the background. These startup apps consume memory and resources, which can cause a high GPU usage issue for Desktop Window Manager (DWM). To fix this problem, you can disable unnecessary startup apps in Windows 11/10.

To disable startup apps:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Click on the Startup tab to see all the enabled startup applications.
3. Select an app that you want to disable from starting up automatically and click Disable.

Repeat step 3 for each app that you’d like to stop from starting during boot-up.
Note: It’s important not to disable any critical system processes or services as it may harm your computer’s performance.

Disabling non-essential startup applications will help reduce DWM’s GPU usage by freeing up more resources for other tasks. This simple solution could make a big difference in improving your overall computer performance while reducing high GPU usage issues caused by Desktop Window Manager (DWM).

Adjust Visual Effects Setting in Windows 11/10

Adjusting the visual effects settings in Windows 11/10 is another way to fix high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager. By default, Windows applies various animation and graphics effects to enhance your user experience, but these can be resource-intensive and cause performance issues.

To adjust your visual effects settings, right-click on the Start menu and select System from the context menu. In the left-hand panel of the window that appears, click on Advanced system settings. This will open up a new window where you can click on Settings under Performance.

From here, you have several options for adjusting your visual effects settings. You can choose either Adjust for best appearance or Adjust for best performance to optimize your system’s graphical output according to your preferences.

You can also manually select which specific animations and visual effects you want enabled or disabled using checkboxes in this window. Disabling some of these features may improve overall system responsiveness while reducing GPU usage.

Keep experimenting with different configurations until you find what works best for you while not compromising too much on visuals!

Scan for Malware and Disable Third-Party Antivirus

Scanning for malware and disabling third-party antivirus may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s an important step in fixing the Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage issue in Windows 10/11. Malware or viruses can cause your system to overload, resulting in high GPU usage.

To scan for malware on Windows 10/11, you can use the built-in Windows Defender program or any other reputable antivirus software. Make sure to run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious programs that could be causing the problem.

However, sometimes third-party antivirus software can also interfere with your computer’s performance. In such cases, try temporarily disabling or uninstalling your antivirus program and observe if it makes any difference in reducing the high GPU usage.

It’s important to note that leaving your computer unprotected by anti-virus software is not recommended as it poses significant security risks. Therefore, once you have identified and fixed the issue causing high GPU usage, make sure to re-enable or reinstall reliable antivirus protection on your device.

Running CHKDSK, DISM, and SFC Commands

If you’re experiencing high GPU usage caused by Desktop Window Manager, running CHKDSK, DISM, and SFC commands might help resolve the issue. These are Windows built-in tools that can scan and repair any corrupted system files.

Firstly, let’s talk about the CHKDSK command. This tool scans for bad sectors or errors in your hard drive and fixes them if necessary. You can simply open Command Prompt as an administrator and type “chkdsk C: /f /r” to start scanning your C drive.

The DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool is used to fix corrupted Windows images or update files. To run it, open Command Prompt as an admin and type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.” This will check for any issues with your Windows image and attempt to repair them.

SFC (System File Checker) scans for any damaged system files on your computer. Open Command Prompt as an admin again and type “sfc/scannow”. The tool will then scan all protected system files on your PC before attempting to restore any missing or corrupt ones.

Running these three commands may take some time but could potentially fix the High GPU Usage issue caused by Desktop Window Manager in Windows 10/11.

Use System Restore Point or ‘Reset This PC’ in Windows 11

If all else fails and you’re still experiencing high GPU usage from Desktop Window Manager, there are a few last-resort options to try. One of these is to use the System Restore Point feature in Windows 11/10.

System Restore Point allows you to roll back your computer’s settings and configuration to a previous point in time when things were working properly. This can be helpful if recent changes or updates have caused issues with your system, including high GPU usage.

To create a restore point, simply search for “Create a restore point” in the Start Menu and click on it. From there, follow the prompts to set up a restore point at your desired date and time.

Another option is to use the “Reset This PC” feature in Windows 11/10. This will completely wipe your computer’s hard drive and reinstall Windows from scratch, which can help eliminate any persistent software-related issues causing high GPU usage.

To access this feature, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset This PC. Keep in mind that this process will erase all of your files and programs, so make sure you have everything backed up before proceeding.

While using System Restore Point or resetting your PC should be last-ditch efforts when dealing with Desktop Window Manager high GPU usage issues, they can sometimes provide much-needed relief when other troubleshooting steps have failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Desktop Window Manager?
A: Desktop Window Manager (DWM) is a Windows service that manages the display of visual effects, including transparent windows and 3D animations.

Q: Why does DWM use high GPU usage?
A: High GPU usage by DWM can be caused by several factors, such as outdated drivers, conflicting software, malware infections, or incorrect system settings.

Q: How do I check my GPU usage in Windows 10/11?
A: You can monitor your GPU usage in Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open it and go to the Performance tab. Under the GPU section, you’ll see the utilization percentage for each graphics card installed on your computer.

Q: Can I disable DWM in Windows 10/11?
A: No, you can’t disable DWM because it’s an essential component of the Windows desktop manager. However, there are ways to optimize its performance and reduce its impact on your system resources.

Q: Do I need a dedicated graphics card for DWM in Windows 10/11?
A: No, you don’t need a dedicated graphics card for DWM because most modern CPUs have integrated GPUs that can handle basic desktop rendering tasks without any problem. However, if you want to play games or perform heavy graphics workloads like video editing or CAD design, then a dedicated GPU may be necessary.

In conclusion

If you’re experiencing high GPU usage by Desktop Window Manager (DWM) on your Windows 10/11 PC or laptop, there are many solutions available to fix this issue. From updating drivers and disabling unnecessary features to scanning for malware and resetting your system settings – these tips should help improve your overall system performance while minimizing resource consumption from background processes like DWM. By following these steps carefully and consistently monitoring your system resources using Task Manager or other tools –you should be able to enjoy a smoother and more responsive computing experience on your Windows device.