Share this article

Improve this guide

OneDrive High CPU: Here’s how to Fix it

Reinstalling OneDrive is a quick way to fix this issue

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

OneDrivechanged considerably in the last years, and mostly for good. However, an issue here and there can certainly ruin all of OneDrive’spositive features.

For example, the OneDriveSetup.exe (OneDrive installer) works in the background and allegedly feasts on yourCPU.

While this cannn be frustrating just like thecan’t access OneDriveissue, we have prepared 5 solutions to help you restrain this horrid misuse of your resources. So, without further ado, check the list below and follow the steps closely.

How do I reduce OneDrive’s high CPU usage?

How do I reduce OneDrive’s high CPU usage?

1. Delete Telemetry logs

  1. Go to theProcessestab, locateOneDriveSetup.exeor just OneDrive, right-click it, and selectEnd task.

3.Follow this path:C:Users//AppData/Local/Microsoft/OneDrive/setup/logs

4.In the logs folder, locate and delete theparentTelemetryCache.otc.sessionanduserTelemetryCache.otc.sessionfiles.

  1. Restart your computer.

  2. Navigate to path below and run theOneDrive.exeinstaller:C:UsersUsernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOneDrive.

This strange occurrence is, believe it or not, related to telemetry. While installing OneDrive, the setup tries to check the telemetry logs hidden in the AppData folder. That isn’t the problem per se, and it shouldn’t affect CPU usage.

The real problem starts if your username isn’t written exclusively in English/ASCII values.Basically, the presence of a single alternative letter or sign in your username (Cyrillic or language-specific) and the OneDrive installer won’t be able to access the telemetry files.

Nonetheless, that sole fact won’t prevent the installer from trying over and over and over again. And that will take a toll on theCPU.

For such a minor thing to cause such over-consumption ofCPUis absurd, but then again, this is Windows we’re referring to. In order to resolve this problem, you’ll need to get rid of those telemetry files (they aren’t of any use anyway).

2. Restart OneDrive

Sometimes, the OneDrive high CPU usage issue might be a minor issue caused by some glitches. In this case, the best thing to do is restart the app.

If restarting OneDrive does not curb the high CPU usage, you might need to unlink and relink your account. This should restart the sync processes and other things that can lead to the problem.

4. Reinstall OneDrive

If the OneDrive process is still causing high CPU usage, you might need to uninstall and reinstall the app.

Before the Creators Update, Windows 10 users could not delete or reinstall OneDrive. Luckily, Microsoft decided to provide us with a choice and provide OneDrive as any other third-party app.

That move eased the troubleshooting substantially and made the system more customizable and user-friendly.

5. Use an alternative cloud service

If OneDrive is a resource-gulping app that triggers high CPU usage, consider switching to a more CPU-friendly solution that can perform the same tasks.

An alternative to OneDrive is thehigh-rated Sync.com, a cloud service that allows you to exploit up to 5GB of free storage space.

Seamlessly blending with all major operating systems, Sync allows you to sync, store, back up, and safely access and preview your files across all your devices.

Speaking about security, you will be pleased to know that your confidential data is protected through end-to-end encryption, as Sync has the utmost concern for your privacy.

With a generous storage capacity ranging from 2 to 4 TB, you may Sync data across all platforms and devices. You can save your personal data privately and securely with end-to-end encryption and real-time backup and sync.

There are also additional sharing and collaboration capabilities, file history and recovery features, and extensive controls for sharing, downloading, password security, and granular permissions.

Once you convince yourself of its excellent capacities, you can increase your storage quota by up to 4 TB according to the subscription plan of your preference.

Does OneDrive use a lot of CPU?

Ordinarily, OneDrive should not register a high CPU usage. Even syncing files, it uses a reasonable percent of your CPU.

However, if it encounters problems, this might change, and the app might consume your PC resources.

That should do it. You only need to follow the listed steps carefully, and things should be back to normal.

IfOneDrive is constantly syncingon your PC, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Don’t forget to share your questions or alternative solutions regarding the OneDrive CPU hogging in the comments below. We’ll be glad to hear from you.

More about the topics:CPU,High CPU usage,onedrive,windows 10

Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Aleksandar’s main passion is technology. With a solid writing background, he is determined to bring the bleeding edge to the common user. With a keen eye, he always spots the next big thing surrounding Microsoft and the Windows OS.

Focused on Windows errors and how to solve them, he also writes about the OS’s latest features as well as its interface.

In his free time, he likes to read, listen to music, and enjoy the nature. Hiking is one of his newly found passions.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Δ

Aleksandar Ognjanovic