PowerToys High Memory and CPU Usage

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Disable modules you don't use

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open PowerToys Settings
   2. 02Toggle off every utility you don't actively use
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Keep one launcher

   1. 01Turn off either PowerToys Run or Command Palette
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Find the heavy process

   Copy steps
   1. 01Task Manager > Details, sort by Memory
   2. 02PowerToys.<Module> names show which utility to disable
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Turn off file thumbnails in Run

   1. 01PowerToys Run settings > disable 'Generate thumbnails from files'
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Update PowerToys

   1. 010.100.2 fixed memory leaks; Awake CPU bugs were fixed in 0.41.x/0.43
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Task Manager shows multiple PowerToys processes using hundreds of MB, or CPU spikes from one module.

Why it happens

• C-01Every module enabled, each with its own background process
• C-02Both PowerToys Run and Command Palette enabled
• C-03Known leaks in older versions (fixed in 0.100.2)
• C-04Older Awake versions with a high-CPU bug
• C-05Thumbnail generation in Run settings

// this guide also covers

• powertoys high memory usage
• powertoys high cpu
• powertoys using too much ram
• powertoys slow

The same problem in other apps

All slow, laggy or resource-hungry guides →

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• Alfred Slow to Open or Lagging (Alfred)
• AutoHotkey Flagged as Virus by Antivirus (AutoHotkey)

Other Microsoft PowerToys errors

• PowerToys Run Not Working (Alt+Space)
• PowerToys FancyZones Not Working
• PowerToys Keyboard Manager Not Working
• PowerToys Not Working With Admin Apps
• PowerToys Text Extractor Not Working
• Mouse Without Borders Not Connecting
• PowerToys Settings Not Opening
• PowerToys Not Working After Update