Update: This article’s original title was updated to more accurately describe the systems which can be affected by this issue.
Recently released optional Windows Update KB4592438 for Windows 10 2004 and 20H2 is causing some users headaches. This update has a compatibility issue with Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant, which causes high CPU usage. /u/ok8ii in the /r/Intel subreddit reported that his dual-core Kaby Lake laptop experienced 100% CPU usage after the optional update, and other users reported similar problems.
My own system was affected by this issue as well, causing stuttering while playing Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. I opened task manager, and found that 50% of my i9 CPU was being used by Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant while “idle”.
If you have not installed the optional Windows update, this will not affect your system. If you have already installed the optional update and are affected by this issue, you will need to either roll back the optional Windows Update or uninstall Intel’s Driver & Support Assistance until it has been patched to resolve this issue.
