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Fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage (dwm.exe)—Complete Guide If your Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) is constantly using a high percentage of your GPU, you're not alone. This guide explains exactly what Desktop Window Manager is, why it can spike GPU usage, and step‑by‑step fixes that work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. What Is Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe)? Desktop Window Manager ( DWM , process name dwm.exe ) is Windows' compositing window manager. Instead of each application drawing directly to the screen, apps render their windows into memory, and DWM combines ("composites") them into the final image  Because DWM controls how windows are layered, it enables: Transparent window effects and acrylic/blur in Windows 11 Live taskbar thumbnails and window animations Smooth window resizing, snapping, and virtual desktops High‑DPI and multi‑monitor rendering support DWM relies heavily on the GPU to render these effects efficiently. That's why you'll often...