100% CPU Usage in Bootcamp

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Level 1

5 points

100% CPU Usage in Bootcamp

I installed Win7 Pro in Bootcamp and initially had no issues, I was doing some video capture and was used to the Macbook getting hot and the fans on full.

At some point, I'm not sure when the fans were coming on full very soon after boot up. I didn't think much of it, I just assumed it was the Nvidia 750m chip.

Anyway today I thought I'd look a little more into it as I've updgraded to Windows 10 and the same thing was happening. I had a look under task manager and all cpu cores are at 100% all the time.

I can't see anything obvious that's causing it, I booted into Safe Mode and had the exact same issue.

I've tried the trick of closing the lid and letting Windows go to sleep and then re-open but there's no change, the fans are soon back to full.

Here's a screenie of the temps and task manager.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6wplXOsmxNqVjY2XzVFcDVoTGM/view

Any idea what's going on?

My Macbook is a late 2013 15" Retina, I've grabbed the latest drivers with Bootcamp Assistant yesterday with no change.

Many thanks

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), Windows 7

Posted on Aug 6, 2015 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Aug 6, 2015 2:55 PM in response to ezoray

If you boot into OS X and don't experience the same issue, then it is restricted to Windows. You will need to find a Windows cause and solution.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 6, 2015 3:13 PM in response to ezoray

The AntiMalware is occupying the most. You can look at some tweaking under Processor Power Management, but there is not much you can do with Windows Defender and the other stuff running.

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Answer 3

ezoray Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 6, 2015 4:01 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks guys.

I rolled back to Win7 and it claims there is no cpu usage, yet there's plenty of heat being generated and the fans are on full.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6wplXOsmxNqNkgwc2VJa2s0WG8/view

If there's no other option I'll start from scratch with Bootcamp and recreate the partition.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 6, 2015 5:18 PM in response to ezoray

Do you want to check Processor Power states? Windows in general does run hotter on Macs.

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Answer 5

ezoray Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2015 1:04 AM in response to Loner T

For some reason I'm not getting a picture unless the power lead is plugged in, not had that happen before.

I did as you suggested, I knocked the power down to the processor to 10% and that certainly cooled things down. This is definitely worth playing with in the future.

I think I'll re-install Bootcamp from scratch and see how things go a second time around.

Many thanks 🙂

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Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 7, 2015 4:29 AM in response to ezoray

This should not be considered a permanent solution, because CPU should be allowed to speed-step as necessary. Windows in general does not manage resources as well as I would like it to.

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Aug 7, 2015 4:39 AM in response to ezoray

re-install Bootcamp from scratch

I think that would be a good idea. Use Bootcamp to delete the partition and use Bootcamp to reinstall the partition.

Make sure that there is only ONE antivirus app running in Windows. Do not use a "master-of-all" antimalware app that has the same features (partly) with the main antivirus app.

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Answer 8

Sep 11, 2016 4:31 PM in response to ezoray

I had the same issue using El Capitan.. After I updated Windows 10 with the latest updates, the issue got resolved. Updates were as follows:

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3176938)

Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3176936)

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2 x64 Edition - August 2016 (KB890830)

Update for Adobe Flash Player for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3189031)

Another note:

When the update for Adobe Flash installed first, the CPU utilisation dropped drastically, and Microsoft Edge still used a lot more of the CPU, I switched to Google Chrome and it seems fine.

I am using a Macbook pro retina Mid 2014.

I love using Visual Studio on a Mac.. I had 3 Windows devices for work and a larger screen for development, now I am going to get rid of all others and keep my Mac, cause the screen resolution meets my requirements that none other did.

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