Some Applications Appear to Consume 100% of CPU Time

 Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
Article ID: Q157044
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

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 affect on Windows NT 4.0 or application performance.

Additional query words: prodnt perfmon nt16ap
Keywords : kbnetwork nt32ap NTSrvWkst
Version : 4.0
Platform : WinNT

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.