Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry (CompatTelRunner.exe) is a service that contains technical data regarding the working and usage of the Windows device and sends this data to Microsoft periodically for performance improvements.   

However, at times, the Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry process may take up high CPU and result in system slowdown or intermittent freezes.

This can happen due to various reasons including missing registry files, an outdated version of the device driver or Operating System, temporary files, etc. 

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry High CPU: Try these Fixes

This is an annoying issue but it can be resolved easily. Listed below are all the effective solutions that can help you fix the problem when the Microsoft compatibility telemetry takes up high CPU on the device. 

Solution 1 – Using the Registry Editor

One of the easy ways in which you can get rid of the ‘high disk usage’ issue of Microsoft compatibility telemetry on the device is to use the Registry editor. Go through these directions:

1. Hit the Windows Home key and then select Run.
2. Type regedit and then click on the OK button or press the Enter button.
3. From the Registry Editor window, go to the following folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > DataCollection on the left panel.
4. In the DataCollection folder, find Allow Telemetry, double-click on it. If you do not find the Allow Telemetry folder, manually create it. Right-click on DataCollection and then select New>DWORD (32-bit) Value. After that, name the new folder as Allow Telemetry.
5. Thereafter, set the Value data to 0 and then click on the OK button to save the changes. 
6. Once you are done, reboot your computer and then check if the device works properly or not.

Solution 2 – Update the Operating System

If you are using an older version of the Operating System then you can come across this problem on the computer. It is necessary to keep the system up to date. To update it follow the directions hereunder:

1. Right-click on the Start button and then select Settings.
2. When the Settings window opens, navigate to the Update & Security section and then click on the Update tab.
3. On the right, click on the Check for updates option to check whether any updates are available or not. 
4. If yes, then click on the Update option. 
5. Once the process is complete, the device will automatically restart. 

Solution 3 – Using the Command Prompt

You can also make use of Command Prompt to solve the ‘Microsoft compatibility telemetry causing high disk’ problem on your computer. Below are certain steps that you can try:

1. Right-click on the Start icon to open the WinX menu list and then select Command Prompt (Admin).
2.  Type the following commands one by one and then press the Enter button after typing each.
   • sc delete DiagTrack
   • sc delete dmwappushservice
   • echo “” > C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Diagnosis\\ETLLogs\\AutoLogger\\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl
   • reg add “HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows\\DataCollection” /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
3. Once these are executed, restart the PC and then check if the glitch is fixed or not. 

Solution 4 – Install the Latest Version of the Device Driver

The Windows Compatibility Telemetry high disk problem can be caused by an outdated version of the device driver. Therefore, you need to update the driver immediately. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager window.
2. Locate the driver with a yellow mark and then right-click on it.
3. Thereafter, choose the Update Software driver option from the menu list.
4. Once the update process gets finished, reboot your Windows computer. 

Solution 5 – Using the Group Policy Editor

1. Press the Windows key and R button to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and then hit the Enter key or click on the OK button.
3. When the Group Policy window opens, navigate to the following folder: Computer Configuration >  Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
4. From the Data Collection and Preview Builds folder, find Allow Telemetry, double-click on it.
5. After that, click on Disable and then click on Apply and OK buttons to save the changes.
6. After performing these steps, press the Ctrl +Shift+ Esc buttons together to launch the Task Manager window and then check if the issue still arises or not. 

Solution 6 – Remove the Temporary Files 

If the system is full of temporary files then also it can lead to Microsoft compatibility telemetry taking up high CPU on the PC. Therefore, you need to remove them as soon as possible. Follow these directions:

1. Press the Win + R button at the same time to launch the Run box.
2. Type %temp% and then click on the OK button or press the Enter key.
3. From the Temporary folder, select all the items and then right-click on it. 
4. After that, choose the Delete button from the list. 

Solution 7 – Disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry by Deleting the CompatTelRunner.exe with Owner Rights

Another easy solution that can help you to get rid of this issue on your computer is to disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry by deleting the CompatTelRunner.exe with ownership rights. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows Home key and E button to launch the File Explorer window.
2. In the File Explorer window, go to the following folder: C:\\Windows\\System32 folder.
3. From the System32 folder, look for the CompatTelRunner, right-click on it and then select Properties.
4. When the Properties window opens, move to the Security tab and then click on the Advanced option.
5. Once the Advanced Security Settings window opens, click on Change.
6. From the next window, type Administrators under the ‘Enter the object name to select section’ and then click on the Check Names button.
7. After that, click on the OK option and close the CompatTellRunner window.
8. Next, again launch CompatTelRunner and then navigate to the Properties > Security > Advanced sections.
9. From the Advanced window, select Administrators under the Permission entries and then click on the Edit button.
10. When the new window opens, select the Full Control and then click on the Apply button to save the changes.
11. After doing these, go back to Compattelrunner.exe and then remove it. 
12. Reboot the computer and then check if the problem has been solved or not. 

Solution 8 – Use Task Scheduler to Disable CompatTelRunner .exe Process

1. Type Task Scheduler in the Search box and then press the Enter button.
2. When the Task Scheduler window opens, go to the following file: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience.
3. Form the Application Experience window, locate Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser, right-click on it and then choose Disable.

Solution 9 – Perform a System Restore

If the above solutions did not help you then you can try to perform a System Restore process to solve this problem on your computer. Go through these steps:

1. Hit the Start button and then click on the Search icon.
2. Type System Restore and then hit the Enter key.
3. When you are in the System Restore window, click on the Next button.
4. In the following window, choose the restore point and then click on Next.
5. Check all the details form the next window and then click on the Finish option to begin the restore process.
6. After completing the restore, restart the system. 

Hopefully, with all the above solutions, you can easily resolve the ‘Microsoft compatibility telemetry high disk’ issue on the PC.