Some Applications Appear to Consume 100% of CPU Time (157044)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q157044

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows NT allows users to monitor CPU usage through Task Manager and Performance Monitor. If these tools are used in Windows NT 4.0, some applications may appear to be consuming 100 percent of the CPU time, while Windows NT is waiting for other actions to occur.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows NT 4.0 allows an application to consume all of the CPU time if no other thread is waiting for CPU time. As soon as another thread requests CPU time, regardless of the priority of that thread, Windows NT 4.0 yields control and CPU time will drop back to normal levels.

The behavior described above is the result of a change made to the way in which Windows NT 4.0 manages CPU time. This behavior is by design and has no negative effect on Windows NT 4.0 or application performance.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2001
Keywords:kbnetwork KB157044
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.