A bug that was first spotted almost two weeks ago in a recent Windows 11 build is still causing problems for users. While Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, there have been no updates regarding a fix. The issue stems from a feature called the Windows Cross Device Service, which is designed to run in the background and facilitate file sharing and connection between Windows PCs and other devices. This feature enables features like Phone Link, Microsoft’s attempt to replicate Apple’s seamless ecosystem, allowing users to send texts, download photos, and use apps from their computer without needing to pick up their phone. However, with the new bug, the service is causing significant CPU usage, even when the PC is idle, leading to a noticeable performance degradation.
Reports of this issue first surfaced on June 4th on the Windows 11 forum and continued on the Microsoft forum the following day. Users reported their CPU fans running at full speed, even though their PCs were idling, resulting in high idle temperatures. Checking the Task Manager revealed that the culprit was the Microsoft Cross Device Service, consuming between 7% to 10% of the CPU. At the time of writing, over 49 users have confirmed experiencing the same problem, with some reporting even higher CPU usage, reaching up to 20%. The issue gained attention on the Windows Feedback Hub, where a Microsoft engineer acknowledged the problem and stated they were working on a fix. However, a week later, there is still no official solution available.
The bug appears to be present in the most recent Windows Insider build, meaning users who are not part of the Insider program are likely safe for now. Users experiencing high CPU usage due to the bug can temporarily disable the Cross Device Service. However, it’s important to note that the service may re-enable itself after a reboot. While users wait for an official fix, several suggestions for disabling the service have been shared on the Microsoft Forum.
While Phone Link can sometimes be clunky, it usually operates as a background process without affecting the overall PC performance. However, this bug highlights the potential for even seemingly minor background processes to have a significant impact on system performance. As Microsoft continues to work on a fix, users affected by the bug will have to rely on temporary solutions to mitigate the high CPU usage caused by the Windows Cross Device Service.
