Do you have concerns about your PC being uncooperative and Windows lagging significantly? 100 percent disc usage, Windows 10 freezing or crashing on startup for inexplicable reasons, not responding to keyboard clicks after high CPU or RAM usage, and a decline in general speed are all common symptoms.
This issue is becoming more widespread among Windows 10 users. Furthermore, if you look at the Task Manager, you’ll discover that an Ntoskrnl.exe programme is consuming 99 percent or 100% of the CPU or other system resources.
Because Ntoskrnl.exe is a key component of the operating system, shutting it down can result in more catastrophic problems. If you’ve discovered the same thing, don’t panic; while this problem appears difficult at first, there are several viable solutions.
Unveiling Ntoskrnl.exe: What is it?
Ntoskrnl.exe, short for “NT Operating System Kernel,” is a fundamental component of the Windows operating system, responsible for the core functions and services required for your computer to operate efficiently.
It can be found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory on your Windows PC. Ntoskrnl.exe acts as an intermediary between hardware and software, facilitating essential tasks such as memory management, process management, and system I/O (Input/Output).
In essence, it is the heart of the Windows operating system, ensuring that various software programs and hardware components can communicate effectively.
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What Is The Purpose Of Ntoskrnl.exe?
The Ntoskrnl.exe (Windows NT operating system kernel) error is one of the most common BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors on PCs.
Ntoskrnl.exe is an essential component of the operating system that ensures that certain system-related functions, such as memory management, process management, and hardware virtualization, are provided.
Memory manager, cache manager, the executive, security reference monitor, kernel, and Task Scheduler are also included in this executable file, making it a protected system file.
Because this file is so well-protected, deleting or corrupting it is never a simple operation. It should be mentioned that Ntoskrnl.exe is not supposed to utilise more than 30% of CPU resources during normal operation, but if it does, it is a cause for concern.
The Culprit: ‘Ntoskrnl.exe’ High CPU or Disk Usage Error
While Ntoskrnl.exe is crucial for the proper functioning of your Windows PC, it can sometimes become the source of performance issues, particularly when it leads to high CPU or disk usage. Here are some common causes of the ‘Ntoskrnl.exe’ high CPU or disk usage error:
1. Driver Issues:
- Outdated or incompatible device drivers can trigger high CPU or disk usage by Ntoskrnl.exe. Drivers are essential for hardware components to communicate with the operating system, and any issues with them can lead to increased system resource utilization.
2. Malware and Viruses:
- Malicious software, such as viruses and malware, can infect your system and cause Ntoskrnl.exe to consume excessive CPU or disk resources. Malware can disguise itself as legitimate system files, making it challenging to detect.
3. Hardware Problems:
- Faulty hardware components, such as a failing hard drive or malfunctioning RAM (Random Access Memory), can lead to Ntoskrnl.exe-related performance issues. Disk read/write errors or memory-related problems can trigger high resource usage.
4. Software Conflicts:
- Incompatible or poorly coded software applications can conflict with Ntoskrnl.exe, resulting in resource spikes. This can include third-party antivirus programs or system utilities.
5. Windows Updates:
- Sometimes, Windows updates can introduce compatibility issues or bugs that affect Ntoskrnl.exe’s performance. In such cases, a recent update might be the culprit.
How Can I Fix Ntoskrnl.exe Excessive Memory Utilisation in Windows 10?
Are you concerned about your PC’s excessive memory use and odd operation? Then you don’t have to. We’ll try every conceivable method to fix the excessive memory use here. Malware and viruses are to blame if you notice any unusually high memory use.
If you’ve recently updated your Windows or added a new device to your PC, memory leakage is likely due to an outdated driver. If you’ve run into a problem, follow these steps:
Method 1: Make Sure Your Drivers Updated
Always try to maintain the driver up to date since if the driver and operating system are incompatible, it can cause Ntoskrnl.exe to use a lot of CPU or disc space. Follow the procedures below to update your driver:
Step 1: On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R at the same time to open the Run dialogue box. To open the Device Manager, type hdwwiz.cpl in the input text option and click Enter.
Step 2: You may alternatively look for Control Panel in the Start menu. Select Hardware and Sound, then Device Manager from Devices and Printers in the Control Panel window.
Step 3: Expand the drop-down menu by clicking Network Adaptors. Right-click on the driver you’re looking for. Select Update Drivers Software from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Choose Automatically Search for Updated Driver Software from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Finally, restart your computer.
Updating the driver can assist you in repairing any damage caused by any task performed on the computer. As a result, keeping your driver up to date is strongly recommended for preventing significant issues.
Method 2: Scan Your System With Antimalware and Antispyware Applications
Alternatively, you can try running anti-malware and anti-spyware programmes, as your PC may be vulnerable to malware and spies and you are unaware of it.
Many malware and spies hide their operations in multiple folders to avoid detection, and this can lead to memory leaks, thus monitoring your system is recommended in this scenario. These programmes will assist you in:
Taking care of all viruses, spies, and other security concerns.
Scanning for all malicious files and viruses that may pose a threat to your computer.
Delete all useless files that take up a lot of space.
Now you must follow the following instructions:
Step 1: Install a reputable anti-malware or anti-spyware programme on your computer. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or SpywareBlaster are two options. This programme will safeguard your computer from viruses, spyware, malware, and other security threats.
Step 2: After installing the software, run a thorough scan of your computer, paying specific attention to the C:WindowsSystem32 folder, which contains the Ntoskrnl.exe file. It will notify you if there is any virus or spy software on your computer.
Step 3: Restart your PC after resolving all threats issues.
Method 3: Turn Off Runtime Broker
Runtime broker is a Task Manager service that grants your PC authorization to use Microsoft Store programmes. It debuted in Windows 8 and continues to exist in Windows 10.
This Runtime Broker causes memory leakage in some instances, and it is criticised since it takes additional resources and memory but does not release them after the task is completed.
The runtime broker is a critical Windows process, as previously stated. As a result, we won’t be able to turn it off permanently in Windows. As a result, you can fix the problem by stopping the process when an error occurs and restarting it after some time has passed.
Follow the steps below to complete the task:
Step 1: To begin, go to the Start menu and select Settings.
Step 2: Make a decision Select Notifications and actions from the left panel.
Step 3: Look for an option that says Apps and other senders can give you notifications. Toggle the switch off.
Step 4: Finally, turn on your computer.
Method 4: Changing Registry Settings
You’ll need to use Windows Registry Editor to modify the registry settings. The Windows Registry is a database of settings used by Microsoft Windows.
It keeps track of how hardware devices, installed applications, and the Windows operating system are configured. To edit registry settings, follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click the Start button and choose “Run” from the menu options, or hit Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard.
Step 2: In the Run dialogue box, type regedit and hit Enter on the keyboard to start Registry Editor.
Step 3: A prompt or warning will appear, asking you to confirm the registry modifications. To proceed, select Yes.
Step 4: Now proceed to the next step:
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > Memory Management HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > Memory Management
Step 5: Select Memory Management from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: Double-click “Clear Page File At Shutdown” to open it.
Step 7: Restart your computer to see if the Ntoskrnl.exe CPU use is under control.
I’m hoping that the register will be changed and your issue will be resolved.
Is it Safe to Delete Ntoskrnl.exe?
In no circumstance should you attempt to delete or modify the Ntoskrnl.exe file. It is a critical system file, and any tampering with it can lead to severe system instability or even render your Windows installation unusable.
The focus should be on resolving performance issues related to Ntoskrnl.exe through the methods mentioned above, rather than attempting to delete the file.
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Conclusion
Finally, assuming you followed any of the ways listed above, using the Ntoskrnl.exe file to solve the high CPU or disc utilisation on Windows 10 should be simple. Because permanently deleting the Ntodkrnl.exe file is a difficult operation, this problem may recur.
To avoid high memory utilisation, make sure your drivers are up to date and that you have anti-malware and anti-spyware installed on your computer.
