Fix dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager) High CPU & Memory Usage in Windows 11

Update or Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

5 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 1

Overview

Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are the #1 cause of dwm.exe using too much CPU or RAM, because it directly handles rendering and visual effects.

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Open Device Manager

Press Win + X → Click Device Manager

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Expand Display adapters

Find your GPU listed

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Uninstall GPU driver

Right-click your GPU → Click Uninstall device

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Restart PC

This auto-installs a basic driver

Note: Always use a clean install from the manufacturer’s site for best stability (look for WHQL-certified drivers)

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Optionally: Download latest driver manually

From NVIDIA Drivers AMD Drivers Intel Drivers official sites

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Turn Off Transparency & Animation Effects

2 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 2

Overview

These visual effects are handled by dwm.exe and can stress your CPU or GPU unnecessarily, especially on low-end or older hardware.

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Disable Transparency

Go to Settings → Personalization → Colors → Turn OFF Transparency Effects

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Disable Animation Effects

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Visual effects → Turn OFF Animation Effects

Pro Tip: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and watch dwm.exe usage drop if this works

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Perform a Clean Boot (Disable Third-Party Startup Apps & Services)

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 3

Overview

Many apps (like screen recorders, Discord overlays, or custom skins) cause conflicts with dwm.exe, leading to memory leaks or CPU spikes.

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Open System Config

Press Win + R → Type msconfig → Hit Enter

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Disable Third-Party Services

Go to the Services tab → Check Hide all Microsoft services → Click Disable All

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Disable Startup Apps

Go to Startup tab → Click Open Task Manager → Disable all unnecessary items

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Restart your PC

Boots into a clean state

Caution: If dwm.exe behaves after clean boot, re-enable startup items one by one to find the culprit

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Pro Tips

Run SFC & DISM to Repair System Files Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run: sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth .

Disable Xbox Game Bar & Other Overlays Go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and turn it OFF. Also, disable overlays in apps like Discord or Nvidia.

Adjust Visual Effects for Performance Press Win + R, run sysdm.cpl → Advanced tab → Performance Settings → Select Adjust for best performance.

Turn Off HDR & Disconnect Extra Displays Go to Settings → System → Display → Turn OFF HDR. Disconnect extra monitors if not needed.