Originally published at: How to Fix High CPU & Disk Usage by CompatTelRunner.exe
CompatTelRunner.exe is a process that is used to upgrade your system to the latest OS version or other Service Pack upgrades. It is also used to perform diagnostics on your computer to determine if there is the possibility of compatibility issues and collects program telemetry information if opted-in to the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program. It…
Thank you!!! Every time something happened to my system, like update (not Microsoft related), some driver change, or even scanning for viruses, this stupid processor loved to open, take huge % of my 4core cpu and upload something to microsoft… And I’ve opted out every piece of crap that I’ve been asked to participate! It’s funny how I disabled telemetry in so many different ways, using external softwares and blocking IPs and yet microsoft still decides that I should participate in some form of it…
21 century, where you have less and less control over your own computer, internet traffic and operating system. Thanks MicroSoft!!!
Super, danke für die ausführliche Beschreibung. Endlich ist dieses Spy-Programm verschwunden!
Thank you for letting us know.
Muchas Gracias, pero podrías actualizarlo a win10, el procedimiento es un poco diferente y de seguro los usuarios inexpertos se pierden
Thank you very much, but you could upgrade to win10, the procedure is a bit different and for sure the inexperienced users get lost (Thanks to Google Translate Tech :v)
the first method is works! thx for the help.
You can count on Microsoft to answer questions no one ever asked. Thanks for the help.
My thanks as well. I thought it was my browser with 100+ tabs that was causing constant slowdown, only to learn it was this thing. It’s sole purpose is to help with upgrades? Then why was it scheduled to run every single day? I’m staying with win7 and won’t upgrade, so I disabled it.
MS always doing crap like this.
Thank you, this thing takes 30% of CPU for up to 20 minutes now it’s gone.
Thanks.
Thank You! This worked for me. Disk Process was at 100% because of this program. I stopped and now the P.C does not hang. Windows 10 has a lot of flaws it seems.
Kevin Thank YOU! CompatTelrunner was running amuk and 20 how-to’s later… I found yours. Great screenshots made all the difference. You are fulfilling your desired purpose: “to write tech how-to’s in a way that it can be followed by everyone.” I was a Win98 Tech Specialist but this one proved quite a challenge and, I couldn’t’ve done it without your assistance. Like they say, two heads are better than one - or none. Much appreciated. -Marco*
CompatTelRunner.exe gets a bad rap here. Using Procmon, you should be able to identify the underlying 3rd party filter driver that consumes CPU cycles scanning everything that CompaTelRunner looks at.
Don’t delete files when you can just disable the scheduled task, the service, or whatever else is running an unwanted file. Always take the safest action.
I bought a new Windows 10 computer, which does not hang all tasks every hour the way that my 8.1 computer does. I have disabled Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser and am hoping this eliminates the periodic hangs. All Microsoft had to do was to write CompatTelRunner.exe more efficiently, or make it run at very low priority, and all users would not suffer from a system hang every hour, but NO, Microsoft apparently can’t figure out simple problems like this for years on end.
Thanks !!! C:
Translated: Great, thanks for the detailed description. Finally, this spy program has disappeared!
Welcome.
Hi, thank you so much! finally you saved my day. I’ve been going crazy to get rid of this damn Microsoft stupidity. At first myself investigation of 100% my DISK high usage, I worry it’s a kind of malware or something like that. Take me many days to solve it but couldn’t find it and i gave up at that moment until i found your this nice post with excellent explanation and best animation gif screenshot. Again, thanks Kevin.
Thank you so much for this! Brought my PC from being unusable to merely a bit on the slow side (probably due to other “updates” from MS, wanted and unwanted) Imagine if Ford added bits and pieces to your car every night that eventually ground it to a halt? What a world we’re living in now.
Hello pjcamp. I think you are not correctly changing the ownership of the file. Please ensure that you are logged in as an administrator.
Kudos 2 U for this and all the info you have out here - from the many who remain with Windows 7 (pro etc) on desktop computers who do not need the OS bloated with all the screen gesturing code from subsequent versions.
When U figure out how do deselect and remove it from Windows 10 let us know. 