How to fix too high disk usage caused by HxTsr.exe?

There is nothing as frustrating as a sluggish computer, especially when you’re trying to work against the clock to complete your projects or assignments in time. Normally, the first place users check when a PC starts acting up is Task Manager. And, if it so happens that the spike in disk usage is caused by the HxTsr.exe file, then you’ve come to the right page. Here, we will describe what HxTsr.exe is and how to decrease CPU usage by hxtsr.exe to prevent your PC from persistent freezing.

What is HxTsr.exe?

Usually, when dealing with .exe files, one has to remain skeptical until you’ve proven that the file is genuine. Most hackers disguise malware programs as .exe files to fool the targeted users into thinking that it’s safe. The genuine HxTsr.exe file is a component of Microsoft Office associated with Microsoft Outlook Communications. HxTsr.exe stands for Hidden Executable to Sync Remote Servers and comes already installed on your PC at the time of buying it.

HxTsr.exe is not a Windows system file and it appears to be a compressed file located in a hidden WindowsApps subfolder of C:\Program Files. While HxTsr.exe is not an essential Windows file, it’s required for Microsoft Office programs to function correctly. Removing the file from your PC might cause Microsoft Office Programs to malfunction.

Why is HxTsr.exe consuming so much memory?

There are concerns that the file might be a virus disguised as a legitimate Windows executable file. The sure way to know if it’s malicious software is to check its location. If the file is in a different location other than C:\Program Files\WindowsApps, then it should be considered as a Trojan or virus.

Attackers are capable of infecting, replacing or copying any executable file, so be wary and use a tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware, which is specifically designed to detect any kind of malware. It’s also advisable to perform regular PC scans to prevent falling into the trap of hackers. If you verify that the file is legitimate, you can whitelist it so that your antivirus software skips it during future scans.

Another complaint is the high disk usage caused by HxTsr.exe. This could be due to Outlook or Microsoft Office services running in the background. According to some users, the disk usage was at a constant 100% leading to sluggish performance.

How to fix the problem of high CPU usage by HxTsr.exe

Before you get into any complicated processes, we recommend optimizing your computer to check if it resolves the problem. Sometimes, lack of sufficient disk space, unnecessary programs running in the background, web browser cache, browser extensions, and huge chunks of PC junk can slow down your computer.

The best approach is to run a tool like Auslogics BoostSpeed to fully optimize your operating system so that it can perform at its optimal level. This tool is highly effective and comes with other useful utilities that your computer needs to run without lag or the constant freezing and crashing.

After running the various modules that Auslogics BoostSpeed has to offer, restart your computer and open Task Manager to check if disk usage is still registering a high percentage. If it does, then try one of the solutions provided below.

Fix 1: Update Windows

You need to ensure that you’ve installed all the latest Windows updates on your computer. Installing the latest updates ensures that you also keep common PC errors away. For this reason, trying to update Windows may just decrease CPU usage by HxTsr.exe.

To continue, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key + I, and then click “Update & Security”.
2. Select the “Check for updates” button and wait as Windows downloads and installs all pending software updates.

Once the process completes successfully, restart Windows and check if HxTsr.exe is still causing a spike in CPU usage.

Fix 2: Reinstall Microsoft Office

Reinstalling Microsoft Office worked for some users and is worth trying it out. A fresh install will get rid of any errors that might be affecting Microsoft Office Programs, such as Outlook. Here are the steps to follow to reinstall Microsoft Office:

1. Click “Start” and locate “Control Panel”.
2. Choose the “Uninstall a program” link under the “Programs” category.
3. Search for Microsoft Office among the list of programs and features, and then click on “Uninstall”.
4. Follow on-screen instructions, if any, to completely remove the program and its components from your PC.
5. Restart your Windows 10 computer.
6. Next, go to the official Microsoft Office download site, download Microsoft Office pack and install it on your PC.

This operation should stop HxTsr.exe from causing high CPU usage.

Fix 3: Disable Sync options in the Windows Mail app

1. Press the Windows Key and type in Mail.
2. Select the “Mail” app from the results.
3. Open “Settings” (the gear icon at the bottom of the page).
4. Click on “Manage accounts” option, and then select your email account.
5. Click on “Change mailbox sync settings”.
6. Under the “Sync options” section, uncheck all entries, namely “Email”, “Calendar” and “Contacts”.
7. Click “Done”.

Fix 4: Reset Mail and Calendar app

The HxTsr.exe file is associated with Windows Mail app and so it follows that resetting it could resolve errors caused by this executable file, including high CPU usage. To proceed, try the following steps:

1. Go to the “Settings” app via “Start”.
2. Select “Apps”.
3. Wait a few seconds while the list of programs and features is being populated, and navigate to “Mail and Calendar”.
4. Click on it to highlight it, and then select “Advanced options”.
5. Navigate to the “Reset” button and select it. This operation reinstalls “Mail and Calendar” and reverts it to original defaults while keeping your files intact.

To protect yourself from attackers, always be wary of executable files that appear suspicious and located in the wrong place. Additionally, avoid double-clicking on executable files before verifying their legitimacy.

We hope you now understand how to fix the problem of high CPU usage by HxTsr.exe. For any queries, post your comments below and our technicians will get back to you.