PresentationFontCache CPU Hog

This is one of those “when I get a few minutes” type of issues. On my Windows 7 workstation, I kept seeing Task Manager report that the PresentationFontCache.exe service was using nearly 50% of processor resources on a regular basis. Today I finally decided to fix it, and of course, the solution is fairly easy.

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Before starting, you will first need to adjust Windows Explorer to show hidden files and protected operating system files. One way to do this is to go to Control Panel –> Appearance –> and under Folder Options, click  ‘Show hidden files and folders’. A new window appears. Click (to enable) ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’ and then click (to UNcheck) ‘Hide protected mode operating system files’.

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Now, to fix the issue at hand:

  1. Drill down C: –> Windows –> ServiceProfiles –> LocalService –> AppData –> Local
  2. Locate and delete all Font*.data files. There will be several of them (FontCache3.0.0.0, FontCache-System, FontCache-S-xxxxxx…_

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Reboot your computer, and your computer should be more responsive than before!

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