Shadow PC's CPU usage is 100%
Updated
If your Shadow PC's CPU is using 100% of its resources, the Windows operating system will also slow down or freeze. Read this article to learn why this might happen and what you can do to resolve it.
Note: Before proceeding, be aware that tools like Task Manager may not accurately display CPU usage on Shadow PC. This inaccuracy is due to the server's design and the limitations of the virtualization software, which can't fully relay precise CPU performance metrics, including the base frequency.
Restart Shadow PC
Some unnecessary processes may be running in the background. Restarting your Shadow PC is a quick way to reduce how many processes are running at once.
Shut down Shadow PC from the Start menu, Quick Menu, or the Help
section of the Shadow PC launcher.
If this did not help, check your antivirus and Task Manager.
Disable third-party antivirus software
If you have third-party antivirus software installed on Shadow PC, scans or real-time protection may be running. Temporarily disable the antivirus software to relieve the CPU for a short period of time.
Most antivirus software will also let you disable the software until you decide to enable it again. For help disabling your antivirus, refer to your antivirus provider.
Check Task Manager
Use Windows Task Manager to see what processes and applications are running on Shadow PC. This can help you identify the culprit causing high CPU usage.
Note: If you choose to end any processes, close applications, or make any other changes following the instructions below, save your work and do so at your own risk. Closing some applications or processes may end your Shadow PC session.
Open Task Manager on Shadow PC. To do this:
Right-click the taskbar, then click Task Manager,
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, or
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
Click the Processes tab. If this tab is not visible, click More details.
Click CPU to sort this column and see processes consuming the most CPU.
Disable startup apps
Some applications are instructed to run when Windows starts. You can change which apps run at startup on Windows for a smoother startup experience.
This is useful if you consistently see apps open that you are not using or do not regularly use when Shadow PC starts, or if too many apps are starting at the same time. Game launchers, antiviruses, social apps like Discord, and web browsers can consume a lot of the CPU's capacity.
Other options
Still have questions after reading this article?
Check out our other articles or contact Shadow Support.