Article ID: 000093540 Content Type: Maintenance & Performance Last Reviewed: 04/26/2023

CPU Usage in Task Manager Fluctuates Reaching 100% While System is Idle on Windows* 10

Environment

Windows® 10 family

BUILT IN - ARTICLE INTRO SECOND COMPONENT
Summary

Steps to workaround the issue of CPU showing incorrect frequency using task manager when hyper-V is enabled.

Description

Windows Task Manager shows incorrect CPU speed when Hyper-V is enabled on Windows 10*

Resolution

This is a known issue in Windows* 10 and Window* Server 2012 R2 when hyper-v is enabled in the system. To work around this issue, use the built-in Performance Monitor tool (perfmon.exe), and add the "\Hyper-V Hypervisor Logical Processor\Frequency" performance counter. For more information, refer to Windows Task Manager shows incorrect CPU speed when Hyper-V is enabled.

Step 1: Check if Hyper-V is enabled in Windows 10. Follow steps below:

  • Using the search window on your system, type "Turn Windows Features on or off."
  • View Hyper-V options, and if checked that means Hyper-V is enabled.

    Search window

    Windows Features screenshot

Step 2: Use the built-in Performance Monitor tool to add the "\Hyper-V Hypervisor Logical Processor\Frequency" performance counter.

  1. Using the search window on your system, type "Performance Monitor."
  2. Select Performance Monitor tool.

    Performance Monitor screenshot

  3. Select Monitoring tools drop down and select Performance Monitor.
  4. Click on Add button and this will the open the Add Counters window.

    Click on add button

  5. In the Add Counter window, you will see the available counters, scroll down until you find Hyper-V Hypervisor Logical Processor.
    Available counters
  6. Click the arrow to open the drop down menu and look for Frequency then click to highlight it. Choose <All instances> under Instances of selected objects:
    Choose all instances screenshot
  7. When it's highlighted, click the Add >> button and you should be able to see it in the Added Counters.
  8. Click ok to apply.
  9. When applied you should be able to see the following at the bottom of the Performance Monitor:
    Screenshot

Related Products

This article applies to 71 products