DisplayFusion RSS: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/RSS/?TopicID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28 DisplayFusion RSS: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:29:34 GMT en hourly 1 https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/RSS/?TopicID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28 RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#20 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:08:16 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#20 DisplayFusion Thanks for sending that over. We're wondering if this is something Microsoft has fixed up in Windows 11. Do you have any computers running Windows 11?

Thanks! ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#19 Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:34:39 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#19 DisplayFusion Thank you - I have uploaded the files request from both my laptop and desktop on which I have experienced the same GDI handle leak. I have been very frustrated trying to find the root cause, so any help you can provide is much appreciated.

Warm regards, ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#18 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 20:09:41 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#18 DisplayFusion @KevFrey Could you send me a copy of your troubleshooting info? Here are the steps:
  • Open the Settings > Troubleshooting tab
  • Click the "Export Info to File" button
  • Reply with the file attached

Thanks! ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#17 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:41:45 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#17 DisplayFusion
Quote:
I believe this to still be an issue. I have been struggling with high GDI usage for Explorer.exe for some time now, and it appears to be DisplayFusion-related. I have increased my GDI maximum to 32,000 (I have a ton of RAM) from the default of 10000 (as a test), and after a few days of use, Explorer.exe creeps back up to over 20k GDI count over time.


Yes indeed, this is some issue for many years. I have created a hack-around (when transitioning thru MANY wallpapers frequently) by doing the following:

- In the Desktop Wallpaper Configuration window, click Wallpaper Settings and disable the "Use transitions" when changing option
(This was the primary problem)

- In the Windows Settings > Personalization > Colours tab, is "Automatically pick an accent colour" enabled? If so, disable it.

- In the DisplayFusion Advanced Settings window, enable the "Run as a Low Priority Process" option and restart DisplayFusion.

- Wallpaper: Use Internal Wallpaper Processing (Rather than in an external process)

Advanced Settings

Search: 'Hooks'
- Pause Global hooks on Full screen: Applicaion hooks will be paused

Alternatively create a nightly scheduled task to run: taskkill /im explorer.exe /f ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#16 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 17:26:31 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#16 DisplayFusion I believe this to still be an issue. I have been struggling with high GDI usage for Explorer.exe for some time now, and it appears to be DisplayFusion-related. I have increased my GDI maximum to 32,000 (I have a ton of RAM) from the default of 10000 (as a test), and after a few days of use, Explorer.exe creeps back up to over 20k GDI count over time. ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#15 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 23:07:33 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#15 DisplayFusion
Quote:
We're still working on this, haven't been able to pinpoint the cause of the leak yet :(

Regarding the typing issues, that's pretty strange. Do you have the option to change the Aero colour with the desktop wallpaper enabled?


Hi there, sorry I didn't previously see you asked a question about this.
I am not sure... I believe not as of Windows 10 here.

If you have any new status, just post back here :-) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#14 Wed, 30 Nov 2016 21:17:16 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#14 DisplayFusion We're still working on this, haven't been able to pinpoint the cause of the leak yet :(

Regarding the typing issues, that's pretty strange. Do you have the option to change the Aero colour with the desktop wallpaper enabled? ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#13 Wed, 30 Nov 2016 04:40:11 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#13 DisplayFusion Hi again Keith. Did this ever make it in?

I've also noticed some crazy lag with typing into applications everytime the explorer.exe wallpaper switches (like when set to this fast mode). The lag affects all applications like Google Chrome, Notepad, etc. I will also notice the menubar flicker like there was some kind of broadcasted WM_SETTINGCHANGE message sent out or something. Any ideas? ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#12 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:13:43 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#12 DisplayFusion This is still open on our list, we just haven't been able to sort it out yet. We will hopefully have it fixed up before the final version of 8.0 though. I will be sure to post an update when we think we've gotten it resolved :) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#11 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 19:08:05 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#11 DisplayFusion Hello again Keith and DF. I have noticed that as of Feb 2016 DF is at v8.0, Beta 4.
While I have implemented a scheduled task to kill explorer.exe every night at 3a on all of my computers, it's really starting to worry me that this will slip through the cracks, albeit I am not a fan of having a knowing software app running 24/7 on all my computers that leaks memory :-(.

Can I get any status on this, or future plan? Thank you! ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#10 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:32:24 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#10 DisplayFusion The next beta won't have a fix for this, but we'll hopefully be working on it for the beta after that :) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#9 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 02:35:39 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#9 DisplayFusion Thank you very much.
So the 7.4 (or 7.3.2) beta should have this nailed down? Sorry to sound anxious, it's just starting to really get to my patients enough that I am about to develop an automated scheduled task to run a batch file to taskkill explorer every day at 3a or something, lol. ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#8 Tue, 15 Sep 2015 19:40:24 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#8 DisplayFusion We had to post 7.3 to fix a bunch of other Windows 10 issues for the folks that prefer to not install beta versions, but we will be working on this issue for the next version :) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#7 Sun, 13 Sep 2015 21:47:36 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#7 DisplayFusion Ok thanks so much. Note in Beta 6 yet though, right? I assume it will be in 7.3 if not. since this is the last beta for 7.2? ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#6 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:37:14 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#6 DisplayFusion It's still being worked on. I'll be sure to post an update when we've got it all fixed up :) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#5 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:37:34 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#5 DisplayFusion Hey again. I'm going to test out Beta 4, would this possibly be fixed in it now? ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#4 Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:03:57 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#4 DisplayFusion Nope, you're definitely not crazy! :) ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#3 Wed, 19 Aug 2015 19:50:21 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#3 DisplayFusion Wow thats great! I thought you were going to come back and tell me that I'm crazy, lol!
Thanks man!! Glad to help. ]]> RE: GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#2 Wed, 19 Aug 2015 19:44:34 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28#2 DisplayFusion That info is super helpful! I've been able to reproduce this here in both Win 8 and Win 10 as well. We'll let you know as soon as we're able to get it all fixed up :)

Thanks again! ]]> GDI Handle Leaking within explorer.exe on fast wallpaper switching https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28 Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:05:02 GMT Binary Fortress Software https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/gdi-handle-leaking-within-explorerexe-on-fast-wallpaper-switching/?ID=147e8b2b-4073-4acc-8092-90f76e08cd28 DisplayFusion Hello there. I believe that Display Fusion has had a GDI Handle Leak in its .dll that is injected into explorer, at least as far back as 7.1, and is occurring on Windows 8 and 10, when there is a fast interval of wallpaper switching. By having DF change the wallpaper every 0.1 minutes, the issue becomes apparent after an hour or two. Currently its only occurring on this computer, but I bet if I was to enable fast wallpaper switching (like a slideshow) on my other computers, and have the images load randomly, then the same would be produced after an hour or two, eventually leading to a GDI overflow, which happened on Win8, and now the Win10 upgrade (taskbar icons get all smashed together, text disappears on desktop icons, etc). Note: I have now tested it on a completely separate Win8.1 computer, and the same has eventually occurred with high handle counts (shown via Process Hacker / Process Explorer). I plan to test it on a Win7 VM as well and let you know.

I have tested the following DF versions:
Windows 8:
7.1 non-beta & all betas leading up to 7.2.
7.2 non-beta

Windows 10:
7.2 non-beta
7.3 betas so far

I have used NirSoft's ShellExView and Sysinternals' autoruns to disable everything non-Microsoft default

When I pause the wallpaper switching and leave the computer sit for 1 hour, there is no high memory consumption or extremely high GDI handle count.

Here it is when wallpaper switching is enabled
http://i.imgur.com/ezzSTKD.png
(to clarify in this screenshot, when I say until explorer.exe is restarted, I mean when I manually restart it via PH or PE, if I can even do so with the context menu being drawn)

Also note, I have disabled anything and everything in DF's settings to make it only be a wallpaper switching and do NOTHING else. Also I have even added Compatibility to explorer.exe checking every checkbox, expect the ones that stop the wallpaper from switching.

Finally, I have analyzed the entire list (on multiple occasions) all modules that are loaded in explorer.exe via PH, sorting by Company Name (to ignore all Microsoft Corporation ones), and the only extra ones are:
- 2 for Intel's Display Graphics (which I have uninstalled or updated to the latest, without any effect)
- DF's Hook dll

Lastly, I should also note that I have looked into explorer.exe with VMMap during a high leak, but I wasn't able to find anything revelation or to blame (even though I have tested and repro-ed the cause via pausing DF's wallpaper switching)

I really hope I can assist with getting to the bottom of this, because it is crippling the use of my computers after leaving them running for a day until I restart explorer... or even worse if someone else needs to use a computer and I have to walk them through what to do for it to become usable again.
I love the wallpaper switching, but the leak isn't acceptable (I know it's not intended).

Please let me know how else I can help. ]]>