Win10 Search, High CPU Lag Plague Latest Update

The latest Windows 10 update (KB4512941) has produced two different problems. Some users report the search function is no longer working, while others have found their processors under immense strain.

The problems stem from an update which itself fixed several problems with a major Windows 10 Update release in May, also known as Windows 10 version 1903. Note that users who do not have Windows 10 version 1903 won't have KB4512941 installed. You can find out which version of Windows 10 you have by clicking Start, then type in "winver" (no quotes) and hit enter. It will say the version number followed by the build.

The first problem with KB4512941 involves the built-in search tool in Windows 10 that lets users search across all files on their computer. Although the search box is still available in the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen, affected users no longer get a window showing search results. Instead, they simply get an unresponsive black box displayed.

Windows 10 CPU Persistently High

The other problem is that some users are finding their CPU use persistently high. When they look at the Task Manager for details, they find the Cortana voice assistant tool is listed as using around 40 percent of the CPU.

This consistently high processor use can lead to devices heating up, sluggish processing, fans running consistently and mobile device batteries draining quickly. In this specific case, some users are reporting a drop in frame rate as their computer struggles to keep up with refreshing the screen, resulting in glitchy animations and video playback.

Technical analysis suggests both problems may result from the same bug, namely that the built-in Windows Search for the computer itself and Microsoft's online Bing search are no longer interacting smoothly. (Source: techradar.com)

Removing Latest Update a Workaround

Microsoft hasn't commented on the problems beyond saying it's investigating the issue and will provide an update later on.

In the meantime, the only solution appears to be manually rolling back the update. To do that, users can click Start, then click the cogwheel (Settings) icon, then choose "Update & Security" followed by "View update history" and then "Uninstall updates." The update to remove is KB4512941.

This is only really worth doing for users who are finding either the search or CPU problems particularly troublesome. KB4512941 does fix some other bugs which may be more problematic. However, this is a "feature update" only, so uninstalling it shouldn't have any security implications. (Source: microsoft.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Have you experienced either of these problems? Are they annoying enough to make you uninstall the update? Has the amount of problems with Windows 10 updates surprised you or is it just that the frequent update program draws more attention to them?