How To Resolve Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry Causing High CPU Usage

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry, or CompatRelRunner.exe, is one of those Windows services that runs in the background, quietly gathering performance and diagnostic data to send back to Microsoft. On paper, it’s supposed to help improve updates, stability, and compatibility stuff. But in reality, a lot of folks notice it guzzling CPU like it’s got a personal vendetta—especially on some older or less beefy machines. If you’ve seen your CPU spiking or your fan kicking in way more than it should, chances are this service is the culprit. The tricky part is, Windows kind of likes to keep it running, so figuring out how to tame it can be a bit of a hassle if you don’t know where to look. This guide walks through some of the most common methods like disabling via Task Scheduler, taking ownership of the CompatTelRunner.exe file, editing the registry or group policy—whatever works in your setup. The main goal? Stop this service from running in the background and eating up resources. Just a heads-up: messing with system files or policies can cause other weirdness, so proceed with caution.

How to Fix Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry High CPU Usage

Method 1: Disable it via Task Scheduler

This is probably the easiest and least invasive approach. Since Microsoft sets up a scheduled task to run CompatRelRunner.exe periodically, disabling that task can help. It also applies if you notice high CPU spikes happening at certain times or after updates. Expect your CPU usage to drop a bit when this is disabled, though Windows might attempt to run it again later—so it’s kinda of a race.

1. Open Task Scheduler — just hit Win + S and type “Task Scheduler”, then hit Enter. Sometimes it takes a couple of clicks to find the right path.
2. Navigate to: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience — this is where Windows keeps the task that triggers CompatRelRunner.exe.
3. Find and right-click on Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser, then choose Disable. That should stop the scheduled scan from kicking off automatically.

This method works because it disconnects the scheduled trigger that starts the CPU-hogging process. It’s kind of weird how Windows keeps re-enabling it sometimes, but on one setup it worked perfectly after disabling the task. On another, it needed a reboot or re-disable, so keep that in mind.

Method 2: Taking Ownership and Deleting the File

If you’re comfortable diving into system files, owning the CompatTelRunner.exe file and deleting it can be a more definitive fix. The reasoning here is straightforward: if the file isn’t there, it can’t run, right? That said, Windows might re-download or restore it after updates, so it’s kinda of a cat-and-mouse game.

1. Press Win + S and search for CompatTelRunner. Right-click and choose Open File Location. If it’s in your WindowsApps folder, you might need to take ownership first (see next).
2. Right-click the CompatTelRunner.exe file, then select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab and click Advanced.
4. Click Change next to the owner at the top, then click Find Now. Select your user account, hit OK, then check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
5. Back in the Security tab, give your user Full Control permissions (double-click your username, set permissions to Allow for Full Control).
6. Click Apply and OK. Close properties, then delete the file—just to be sure, empty the Recycle Bin afterward. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.

This approach should prevent Windows from using it again unless an update reintroduces it. Sometimes, Windows keeps recreating this file, so know that it’s a temporary fix unless you also tweak updates or services.

Method 3: Disable via Registry Editor

This is a deeper modification—if you’re comfortable editing the registry, it works well. You’re basically blocking Windows from collecting telemetry data altogether, which can reduce CPU load. Not sure why it works, but on some machines, turning this off stabilized things.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection. If DataCollection doesn’t exist, create it right-clicking on Microsoft and choosing New > Key.
3. Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it AllowTelemetry.
4. Double-click the new DWORD, set its value to 0 (that turns off telemetry), then click OK.
5. Close regedit, reboot your PC, and see if CPU usage drops.(Pro tip: back up registry before doing this or risk messing up other settings—Windows is funny that way.)

Method 4: Change Settings in Group Policy (Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise)

If you have Windows Pro or Enterprise, this is probably the cleanest way. It disables telemetry collection at the policy level, so Windows basically stops trying. Note: you won’t see this option on Windows Home.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, hit Enter.
2. Follow this path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
3. Double-click on Allow Telemetry, set it to Disabled, then click Apply and OK.

This means Windows with this setting will limit or stop telemetry reports, thereby reducing resource usage. Be aware that disabling telemetry can also limit some Windows diagnostic functionalities.

Final Words

If high CPU usage from Compatibility Telemetry persists after trying these, it might be worth checking other background processes or recently installed updates—sometimes they trigger these CPU spikes. Not sure why, but on some setups, deleting or disabling the service only solves the problem temporarily; Windows tends to re-enable or restore it later. Just a heads-up that ongoing updates could rebring it, so be prepared to tweak again if needed.

Summary

• Disable the scheduled task in Task Scheduler
• Take ownership of CompatTelRunner.exe and delete it
• Edit the registry to turn off telemetry
• Use Group Policy to disable telemetry (Windows Pro/Enterprise)

Wrap-up

This whole ordeal is kind of a pain because Windows doesn’t always play nice with these system-level services. But stopping Compatibility Telemetry from spiking CPU isn’t impossible; it just takes some patience. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Fingers crossed this helps!