Resolved: High CPU and Memory Usage by SysMain in Windows 10

SysMain, formerly known as Superfetch, is a Windows service designed to optimize your system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. However, sometimes SysMain can cause high CPU and memory usage, leading to system slowdowns. This guide provides several methods to troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively.

Understanding SysMain

SysMain is a background service that analyzes your usage patterns and preloads frequently used apps into RAM. While this can improve performance on some systems, it can also lead to high CPU and memory usage, especially on older machines with limited resources.

1. Disable SysMain Service

Disabling the SysMain service is the most straightforward solution to stop it from using excessive CPU and memory.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate SysMain.
4. Right-click the service and select Properties.
5. In the Startup type dropdown, select Disabled.
6. Click Stop to stop the service if it’s running, then click Apply and OK.

2. Use the Command Prompt to Disable SysMain

If you prefer using the Command Prompt, you can disable SysMain with a simple command.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
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   sc stop SysMain & sc config SysMain start=disabled

3. Close the Command Prompt window.

3. Monitor CPU and Memory Usage

After disabling SysMain, it’s important to monitor your system to ensure that the high CPU and memory usage has been resolved.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Sort by CPU and Memory to check if the usage has decreased.
4. If the usage is still high, consider other potential causes, such as background apps or other system services.

4. Update Device Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can also cause high CPU and memory usage. Updating your drivers can help optimize performance.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the relevant categories (e.g., Display adapters, Network adapters).
3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Keeping your Windows operating system updated ensures that you have the latest performance improvements and bug fixes.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings by pressing Win + I.
2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
4. Restart your computer if necessary.

6. Run a System Scan for Malware

Malware can cause high CPU and memory usage. Running a full system scan can help detect and remove any malicious software.

Steps:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection and click Quick scan.
3. For a more thorough scan, choose Scan options and select Full scan.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove any detected threats.

7. Optimize Startup Programs

Reducing the number of programs that start automatically can help improve overall system performance.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Review the list of startup programs and disable any unnecessary ones by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the SysMain high CPU and memory usage issue in Windows 10. Disabling SysMain is often the most effective solution, but ensuring that your system is free from malware, updating drivers, and optimizing startup programs can further enhance performance. Regular system maintenance is key to preventing similar issues in the future.