WindowServer High RAM and CPU usage

Recently, I have had WindowServer (the system which draws everything on the computer) have frequent spikes in RAM and CPU usage, and usually uses around 1.1 GB of RAM. I'm using a Mac mini (Late 2012) with 8GB of RAM. Is there a solve for this? I have searched far and wide, and although there are solutions, none of them work, or are outdated. This includes turning off "Displays have Separate Spaces", "Automatically rearrange Spaces by most recent use", and "Reduce transparency". Does anyone know a way to do this that works in 10.15? Help!

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 21, 2021 11:15 PM

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Posted on Feb 22, 2021 7:58 PM


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Feb 23, 2021 3:53 AM in response to 2021iphone

Your drive is FULL. You have about 11GB out of 480GB. This is not enough for the system day to day operations.


In addition, these stand out right from the start:


Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

Time Machine backup out-of-date - The last Time Machine backup is over 10 days old.

Failing hard drive - This computer has a hard drive that appears to be failing.

Gatekeeper disabled - Gatekeeper security protection is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.

Automatic updates disabled - Automatic updates are disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.

Security updates disabled - Security updates are disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.

Low disk space - This computer is running critically low on free hard drive space.

Apple security disabled - Apple security software is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.

Adobe Flash Player installed - Adobe Flash Player is installed on this computer. This is a security risk and no longer supported.




The drive "failing" may not actually be accurate, it could be a consequence of it being full.

So make some room fast. At least some 30+GB and so the system can have some breathing room.


You have flash, which is no longer supported and should be removed.


You can and should leave out automatic system updates, but the security updates should not be turned off.


Make sure you backup now, before anything else.



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WindowServer High RAM and CPU usage

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