Alex Ruben
How to Fix WMPnetwk.exe High CPU and Memory Usage in Windows
If you’re experiencing high CPU and memory usage due to the WMPnetwk.exe process on your Windows system, you’re not alone. WMPnetwk.exe is part of the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, which allows for media sharing across devices within your network. However, this feature can sometimes become problematic, leading to performance issues. In this guide, you will learn how to disable this service, uninstall Windows Media Player if necessary, and ensure your audio and network drivers are updated—all essential steps to alleviate high CPU and memory usage caused by WMPnetwk.exe.
Step 1: Disable Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
Disabling the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service can significantly help in resolving the high CPU and memory usage issues associated with WMPnetwk.exe. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
services.mscin the text field and hit Enter. This will open the Services Manager window. - Scroll down and locate the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service.
- Right-click on it and select Properties.
- In the properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled and click OK to save your changes.
Step 2: Uninstall Windows Media Player
If disabling the service does not resolve the issue, another option is to uninstall Windows Media Player altogether. To proceed with this method, follow these steps:
- Type Windows features in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
- Scroll down to find Media Features and click the plus icon to expand it.
- Uncheck the box next to Windows Media Player.
- When prompted with a warning, click Yes.
- Follow any additional prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
- Restart your computer and check Task Manager to verify if the performance has improved.
Step 3: Update Audio and Network Drivers
Outdated or incompatible audio and network drivers can also contribute to high resource usage. Ensure your drivers are up to date by following these instructions:
- Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the sections for Sound, video and game controllers and Network adapters.
- Right-click on each device listed under these sections and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find and install the latest updates.
- After installing any available updates, restart your system and check the performance in the Task Manager.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
When dealing with high CPU and memory usage issues caused by WMPnetwk.exe, consider these additional tips:
- Always back up your system before making changes to services or uninstalling software.
- If performance issues persist, consider reviewing installed applications for potential conflicts with Windows Media Player.
- Regularly check for Windows updates, as Microsoft releases patches that can resolve known issues.
Conclusion
In summary, addressing high CPU and memory usage caused by WMPnetwk.exe can often be resolved through disabling the service, uninstalling Windows Media Player, or updating your drivers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to restore your system’s performance and eliminate the unnecessary drain on resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WMPnetwk.exe?
WMPnetwk.exe is a process associated with the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, enabling media sharing across devices on a network.
How do I find high CPU usage processes?
You can find high CPU usage processes by right-clicking on the Start menu, selecting Task Manager, and viewing the list of running applications under the Processes tab.
Is it safe to disable WMPnetwk.exe?
Yes, if you do not use Windows Media Player for media sharing, disabling the network sharing service is completely safe and can enhance your system’s performance.
