How To Reduce Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry Process High CPU Usage
How To Reduce Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry Process High CPU Usage
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By
Shan Abdul
Published 5 hours ago
If Microsoft's Compatibility Telemetry is absorbing your CPU, here's how to fix it.
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Have you noticed a process in the Task Manager called Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry
consuming the most system resources? This process shows the resource consumption by
Microsoft's telemetry service, which gathers technical data about your device's performance.
Microsoft uses this data for future updates to fix technical problems.
But what causes it to consume so many resources that it makes your system sluggish? In
this article, we'll explain why this process becomes resource hungry and what you can do to
reduce its high CPU usage.
To fix the high CPU usage caused by the Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry process, you can
refresh the service, run necessary file scans, and change the process schedule in the Task
Scheduler app. Likewise, you can replace the corrupt process file, change diagnostic and
feedback settings and disable the telemetry service as a last resort if all else fails.
Below, we have explained how you can apply these fixes to limit this process' CPU usage.
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1. Close the currently running applications, especially those freezing, crashing, or acting
strangely.
2. To rule out temporary problems, restart your device.
3. Install any available Windows updates to rule out the possibility of an outdated system
causing the problem. Our guide on how to manage Windows Updates provides
instructions on how to do this.
4. Run a malware scan to ensure Windows telemetry isn't being overburdened by a
malware infection. We have a guide on how to remove malware using Microsoft
Defender's offline scan if you need help.
5. Run an SFC and DISM scan. The SFC scan will scan your system files and replace
corrupt files with a cached copy, but if it does not work, you can try the DISM scan too.
Be sure to check out how to repair corrupt files with Windows' built-in tools for more
information on how to perform these scans.
Start applying the remaining fixes if the above checks do not work.
4. To limit Microsoft to collecting only required diagnostic data, turn off the toggle next to
Send optional diagnostic data.
5. In the same way, expand the Tailored experiences menu and turn off the toggle.
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You can also delete the previous diagnostic data Microsoft has already collected about your
device, which may significantly reduce the number of resources Microsoft Compatibility
Telemetry consumes. Expand the Delete diagnostic data menu and hit Delete.
By deleting the diagnostic data, you will also miss out on tailored updates and security fixes
that Microsoft generally provides to make your operating system more secure and efficient.
So, you should only resort to it when all else fails.
1. Open the Task Scheduler app by typing "Task Scheduler" in Windows Search.
2. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application
Experience in the left sidebar.
5. Reschedule the task to run when your device is idle during the day.
6. Check the box for Stop task if it runs longer than and select your preferred time until
you can allow the process to burden your resources.
7. Then click OK.
8. After that, go to the Settings tab and uncheck the box for Run task as soon as
possible after a scheduled start is missed.
The above changes should enable you to limit when the telemetry process runs and not
burden your system resources when you're working. If it doesn't result in your desired
outcome, replace the ComparTelRunner.exe file.
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The CompatTelRunner.exe file runs the telemetry process. Therefore, if it becomes
corrupted, you may experience high CPU usage. While running the SFC scan, which
automatically repairs corrupt system files, typically eliminates this possibility; you can replace
the file manually if it continues to burden your resources.
The easiest way to do this is to copy a file from another system where telemetry works
perfectly. Here's what you need to do:
1. Search for "Command Prompt" in Windows Search, right-click the app, and click Run
as administrator.
2. Enter the following command in the Command Prompt app:
takeown /f C:\Windows\System32\CompatTelRunner.exe
3. Press Enter.
The above steps will give you ownership of the file. Then, replace the CompatTelRunner.exe
file on your device with a healthy copy from another computer. If this fix doesn't work also,
you should disable telemetry as a last resort.
Windows offers different ways to disable telemetry; using Registry Editor and Group Policy
Editor, disabling the task in Task Scheduler, or disabling its service. If you want to take this
route, check out our guide on the methods for disabling Windows Telemetry.
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