Desktop Windows Manager and high iGPU usage

[Seiya]

Hi all, have an issue with the dwm.exe, where the system slows down so badly even if I have a couple of tabs open on my browser. however it isn’t limited to that, some apps will also raise the dwm.exe up to 70-100% on the iGPU and slow everything else down because, being a budget laptop, the dedicated GPU (RTX 3050 Ti) has to run through the iGPU I believe.

Drivers are updated, Setting graphics priority is meaningless (more on that later), turned off Hardware accelerated GPU scheduling, can’t switch it in bios, checked for any corruption, all dead ends.

Bios has also been updated.

Optimus, if it’s using it, cannot be disabled.

Model: MSI Sword 15
Specs are 15-11400H, 16GB Ram, integrated UHD GPU, and a GTX 3050 Ti.

Now from what I understand i believe optimus is where the dedicated GPU has to go through the iGPU for some scheduling thing (Windows or the UHD determines which GPU is required dependent on power needed). Thus because the iGPU, when I’m doing anything worthwhile, is randomly crunching anything from 20-100%, it also by extension slows down the 3050 Ti.

Now i don’t actually know if I actually have optimus, or if it is really the dwm.exe that’s acting up, but I’d say I’m over 90% certain that the performance issue is somewhat related to the UHD graphics. I will find that occasionally that the games will run smooth, at good framerates, only for it then randomly get shot to ****, and this always aligns with the high DWM gpu usage on the UHD graphics when I tab to task manager (assuming Task manager is displaying GPU usage is correct). This is also what I mean when I say that directly setting app GPU priority is meaningless. I could set everything to the 3050 Ti, but if the app still has to go through the UHD first, and the DWM GPU usage shoots up, which it will, it’ll slow everything back down anyway.

Who thought that’d be a good idea?

Anyone have any other potential solutions?

Out of curiosity why should DWM, which essentially just manages the windows UI, be so bad with GPU usage? The UHD may not be a dedicated gaming GPU, but it’s a relatively “modern” one, and struggling with a UI that does nothing but fade out task bars and windows, it’s like I’m paired with a archaic Riva TNT in my modern laptop i.e. very, very, old graphics chip for all the kids out there.

Thanks for any assistance.

[veeg]

Hello

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[Seiya]

Profile here:

https://speccy.piriform.com/results/KDcaxK8uy3kdIXUAHbYZQAA

[phillpower2]

have an issue with the dwm.exe, where the system slows down so badly even if I have a couple of tabs open on my browser.

Surprised that the computer will even boot up.
Antivirus
[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Malwarebytes
Antivirus: Enabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date
Windows Defender
Antivirus: Disabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date
[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Norton Security
Antivirus: Enabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date

Having more than one AV or Firewall installed on your computer is bad, it will slow down the computer, cause internet connection problems and leave you with no AV protection at all if they cancel each other out as they fight for resources.

Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 come with an improved Windows Defender, it offers the same real-time anti-virus/anti-malware protection as Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender also shares the same malware signature definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials, and Forefront Endpoint Protection. Technically, Microsoft Security Essentials has not been renamed Windows Defender, or combined with it in Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11.

Bottom line, when running Windows 10 or 11 you do not need any third party AV.
Partition 1
Partition ID: Disk #0, Partition #1
[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Disk Letter: C:
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 4842F724
Size: 455 GB
Used Space: 441 GB (97%)
[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Free Space: 13.2 GB (3%)

For Windows to be able to run efficiently and to be able to update you need to have between 20 and 25% of the partition or drive available as free storage space at all times, if you don`t you risk Windows becoming corrupt or not being able to update which puts you at risk of malware attack.

Data only storage devices should not be allowed to get any lower than 10% of free storage space of the full capacity of the drive/partition on the drive, this also to avoid data corruption.

[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Please note that storage devices can physically fail if the amount of free storage space is allowed to drop below the required 10 or 20/25% minimum.

Most effective thing to do here is back up any personal data and then reinstall Windows and the system drivers but this time put both on a seperate 250GB partition away from any future personal data.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Seiya]

I should note the extra third party AV’s were for checking for problems after encountering issues, of which none were found, i have now deleted them. I did notice it states that norton was also active though it’s been deleted a long time and i can find no trace of it on my HDD, so that could be a potential concern. It should be noted again however that I use to have no problems with my laptop speed and has only started to hit issues a few months ago.
I have now also freed up some space, so that there is more than 10% of free space.
The issues still persist and I would prefer to not go for the nuclear option of a complete windows reinstall if i can help it, assuming there are avenues available to solve the issue.
Thanks.

[phillpower2]

I have now also freed up some space, so that there is more than 10% of free space.

10% is the minimum and should you strive to keep more, the damage may have already been done and if you cannot get rid of all taces of Norton yourself the advised in my reply #4 would be the way to go.

Most effective thing to do here is back up any personal data and then reinstall Windows and the system drivers but this time put both on a seperate 250GB partition away from any future personal data.

In addition to the above, after installing Windows you must install the system drivers before connecting to the internet, see my canned info below;

You should also invest in an external storage device for saving and backing up data to, a 1TB SSD is relatively affordable to most PC users.
Once Windows has been clean installed you must then install first the MBs chipset drivers then the storage/SATA drivers and third the graphics drivers, the drivers can either come from a disk provided by the motherboard manufacturer [COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]** or downloaded from their site and saved to a flash drive etc, this is a must and Windows should not be allowed to check for updates before it has been done as more often than not Windows installs the wrong drivers or in the incorrect order and this can cause all sorts of problems.

The reason why this procedure is so important, the chipset is what enables the MB to be able to communicate with all the hardware + are the first drivers that Windows looks for on boot.

[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]** For OEM computers/notebooks such as Acer, Dell, HP and Lenovo etc you must only download drivers from their support page, OEMs may sometimes redirect users to a third party site such as AMD or Nvidea to obtain the latest drivers for their GPUs, this tends to be for high end gaming notebooks and desktops though.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Seiya]

I do have some spare storage devices but it’s just a particular program that’s taking up a lot of space. I think I can move it around somewhat though.
Just to confirm, do we have no recourse but to reinstall?
Do you have any idea as to why the DWM is running the iGPU so high? Why would HDD space be such a huge factor, given that while, yes it was under 10%, that still left a lot GB’s of free space to use?
I’m actually not sure if the laptop even came with the windows disk (Will need to rummage and double check). I do have a windows 10 for my desktop but I’m pretty sure that isn’t a good idea given i believe you can only install a copy of windows onto only one computer at a time.
Thanks for the assistance.

[phillpower2]

Do you have any idea as to why the DWM is running the iGPU so high?

Because things are getting jumbled up, Windows needs at least 32GB of free storage space so as to be able to do fileswaps etc, if you don`t have this space Windows and Desktop Windows Manager included effectively get painted into a corner with nowhere to go.

yes it was under 10%, that still left a lot GB’s of free space to use?

Hence the advice given;

Most effective thing to do here is back up any personal data and then [COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]reinstall Windows and the system drivers but this time put both on a seperate 250GB partition away from any future personal data.
[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]
You do not need Windows media but if you did you only need to download a free WIndows ISO from Microsoft.

Once you have backed up your data, save the required drivers as explained in my reply #6 do a Windows reset and choose the Remove everything option, [COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]disconnect from the internet before Windows checks for updates, then as also explained in reply #6 install the divers in the listed order.

Post back when done or before if you have any questions.

You are welcome [/COLOR][/color]

[Seiya]

Because things are getting jumbled up, Windows needs at least 32GB of free storage space so as to be able to do fileswaps etc, if you don`t have this space Windows and Desktop Windows Manager included effectively get painted into a corner with nowhere to go.

32GB of free space? That’s insane, what on Earth are they swapping around?
Well anyways thanks for the tip. I’ll see what i can do with the windows reinstall. I assume a simple “repair” won’t affect anything?

[phillpower2]

I assume a simple “repair” won’t affect anything?

Afraid not.

[Seiya]

Afraid not.

Okey doke, won’t be able to reset Windows for a week. My spare drives with plenty of space are in a different location at the moment so won’t be able to transfer to those drives till I get back. I’ll try to report back around then.
Thanks again.

[phillpower2]

No worries and thanks for letting us know, we will mark your thread as pending until next week.

You are welcome

[Seiya]

I’ve now done a Windows reset (while still keeping old apps) and the laptop now runs as smooth as butter.
I’ll make sure to leave enough room from now on.
Much appreciated and this thread can now be marked as solved.

[phillpower2]

Glad we could help and thanks for the follow up.