IgfxEM.exe – What is it, High CPU Usage and How to Fix it

IgfxEM.exe  is an executable application and is a component of the Intel® Common User Interface (CUI). This module is basically used for the graphics cards. Several users have reported that the IgfxEM.exe consumes high CPU resources and sometimes even shows an error message as well.

It stands for Intel Graphics Executable Main Module.

In this post, I am going to provide detailed information about IgfxEM.exe, its uses, how to fix high CPU, close or disable using step by step method.

What is IgfxEM.exe?

IgfxEM.exe serves as a conduit between the Intel graphics card that it comes along with, and the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the system. It helps in changing the screen and graphics settings of the system. Its uses are:

• It helps the GUI keep the display resolution settings ON even when the screen is turned OFF.
• It enables screen rotation
• It also helps in modifying Hotkeys settings

ItigfxEM.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder Its version 6.15.10.4242 has a file size of 528 KB.

It is also used by AMD and Nvidia graphics card drivers. 

Quick Overview

How to fix high CPU Usage?

The high CPU usage by IgfxEM.exe can be caused due to two reasons:

• A malware may assume the identity of igfxEM.exe and use high levels of CPU
• igfxEM.exe often has conflicts with other software, thereby increasing the CPU usage

There are five methods to fix this

There are a few easy ways to fix IgfxEM.exe related error, let’s go step by step:

Updating Intel graphics driver

1) Go to the official website of Intel https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/80939/Graphics-Drivers

2) Based on your Windows system (10/8/7) download the driver to your desktop.

3) Now, press the Windows+R button, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter button

4) Double click on Display adapters

5) Right-click on the Intel Graphics driver version installed in your system and select Update Driver Software

6) Select Browse my computer for driver software

7) Click on Browse and feed the location of the downloaded Intel driver files from step 2.

8) Click on OK, then Next

Reboot your system, this will most probably fix high CPU usage.

Using Task Manager

This is the easiest and fastest way to disable IgfxEM.exe for a temporary purpose, here are the steps:

1) Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc button together

2) Under the Processes tab and right-click on igfxEM Module

3) Click on End Task at the bottom right corner of the window.

Now close it.

Did you know that the Task Manager is actually executed by the taskmgr.exe program

Using System Configuration

If you notice that the IgfxEM.exe keep coming back even after disabling, then you may try this option to stop starting at the background:

1) Press Windows + R keys, type msconfig, and click on OK

2) Go to the Services tab

3) Browse for igfxEM Module and uncheck the box to its left

4) Select Apply, then OK

You can also learn the system information cmd here.

Disabling unwanted processes

1) Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together to launch the task manager

2) Go to the processes tab and check the CPU column next to the process names.

3) If the percentage use of a process is very high, then click on the process and select End task from the bottom right corner of the window.

4) Do this for other such processes, if any.

Close the window. 

How to disable/uninstall it?

Although, uninstalling IgfxEM.exe is not recommended from the Windows operating system. However, if you notice that the IgfxEM.exe is consuming high CPU resources then you may disable or uninstall it from the system.

1) Click on the Windows logo and type Control

2) Now select Control Panel from the list

3)  Navigate to Program > Uninstall a Program

4) Locate Intel Graphics Driver or Intel Common User Interface, right-click and select Uninstall

Close the window.