CPU Usage increases to 100 percent while you scroll through a Web page in Internet Explorer

When you scroll through a Web page in Microsoft Internet Explorer, the CPU Usage meter in Task Manager may indicate 100 percent CPU use. Because of this behavior, other programs may slow down or become unresponsive. For example, if you play a video DVD, an audio DVD, or an audio CD while you scroll through a Web page, you may experience video or audio distortion.

This behavior can occur on some computers if the Use smooth scrolling option is enabled in Internet Options.

Note By default, the Use smooth scrolling option is enabled in Internet Explorer.

To work around this issue, disable the Use smooth scrolling option in Internet Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
2. Click to clear the Use smooth scrolling check box.

The Graphics Device Interface (GDI) subsystem on the computer is responsible for rendering information on the screen. GDI accepts requests for the display of information from several applications or services. When you scroll through a Web page by using a mouse, a keyboard or a touchpad, and the Use smooth scrolling option is enabled, requests are made to redraw with every line that changes. This behavior may cause high CPU use. Therefore, if you use a mouse, a keyboard, or a touchpad to scroll through a Web page while you play a video DVD, an audio DVD, or an audio CD, you may experience video or audio distortion.