CPU explorer.exe jumping moving the cursor over the taskbar repetitively seems to be linked to Expendable Taskbar

from Stardock Forums

Hi

I am having some issues with high explorer.exe usage reproduced by moving the cursor over the taskbar and the CPU jumps.

It seems to be occurring in 2.51 and 2.52 don't know previously as I didn't look for it.

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ExpandableTaskbar

It seems this is repeatedly running pushing the CPU on this action

System:
OS Win11 24H2
26100.3037

Start11
2.52

start menu products
2,413 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Do you also have Stardock's Windowblinds running in your system?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I tested on my system, but I don't see really high hit, there ARE typical 4-5% increase for Explorer.exe, but that, I think is expected. I am on same Windows 11 OS Build as yours and Start11v2.52. How high does the CPU spiked? Also, do you have any other application that run which also change your taskbar behavior?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I see a hit between 1-5%

Seems pretty high to me. If you look at the explorer.exe it has like 10 hits/second of repetitive hits on
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ExpandableTaskbar
I am not a programmer but that seems excessive and I think it is what is making the high explorer.exe spike.

I do have others. like Windhawk but I turned it off. Also when I turn off the taskbar in start11 it stops.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I am not a programmer, so I don't actually know if 1-5% CPU hit is high enough for concern so, I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you Basj

I installed and ran start11 in a Windows sandbox. I did not have the same issue. It ran super smooth. So I don't think it had anything to do with:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ExpandableTaskbar


It might just be on my side but it seems you had the same thing so I wonder 🤔

If anyone else wants to try and ship in I am all ears :)

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Do note that I am testing Windows 11 setup in a Virtual machine so resources are very limited. So 5% on a VM might be very little compare to a full system.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I guess as always it all depends on the machine you are running and the VM you setup :)

I am running a Ultra 7 155H so 5% is a lot in my humble opinion.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I think I finally narrowed it down to an intel driver. Things are much better now.
Instead of 1-5% it is 0.1-0.5%
Thats ok :)

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, really glad you worked that one out.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant