svchost.exe

[bracken78]

I've looked this up and it seems to be a harmles windows program.

But why is it all ways running and using up all my computer resources? Is it possible to remove it, or stop it working?

Cheers

[egomeister]

It's normally a standard windows process but I think I had a virus in the past that masked itself by using the same name. It's always worth doing a full virus/spyware scan in these cases before looking for a deeper problem.

[roop]

This problem is rife at the moment. It's not likely to be spyware or a virus as far as I know (although there is such a virus that infects svchost) but more this problem that's floating around. Some say it's Windows Update, so MSN Messenger and some that it's a service that is trying to continually start and is failing. It's a PITA for sure. It's killing my laptop and the laptop of at least 3 colleagues at the moment...

[dilbert]

I ditched windows defender and the problem went away.

[GreenV8S]

Windows uses the svchost.exe program to run various services. You can use Process Explorer to see which service is running in the particular process that is hogging your CPU time. There are also various malicious programs that call themselves svchost.exe.

[SneakyNeil]

svchost = many different programs all running under one process. Start/run services.msc

[bracken78]

cheers for your replies.

So basically it's a silly Microsoft program that uses all your computer resources, great.

Is there anything that can be done to fix it?

Edited by bracken78 on Sunday 25th March 17:36

[GreenV8S]

bracken78 said:

Is there anything that can be done to fix it?

GreenV8S said:

You can use Process Explorer to see which service is running in the particular process that is hogging your CPU time.

Once you know what service is running in that process you can find out whether it is safe to kill it and whether there's any other way to correct the problem.

[2something]

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=95&t=368094

Windows update for IE7 is probably the cause of this. You should be able to fix it via the Microsoft/Office update website or the download in the above thread.

Amazingly if you send an error report to Microsoft and then click on the link they send back to you it will take you to the right place to get it fixed!

Thanks to Liam for this info.

[rlk500]

Start/Run/CMD Tasklist /v shows the running tasks and their associated apps. You can then identify which particular svchost iteration is causing you a problem. Alternatively, run msconfig and go to the startup tab. Untick all the boxes for startup apps. Re-boot and see how your machine runs. If you have apps. that you need, go back to msconfig and re-tick the ones you need. HTH.

[victormeldrew]

bracken78 said:

cheers for your replies.

So basically it's a silly Microsoft program that uses all your computer resources, great.

Is there anything that can be done to fix it?

No, its a shell which allows programs to run as services. svchost as in "Service Host".

It doesn't require fixing.

Enough info has been posted already to tell you what it is and advise on how to stop programs from running as services if you need to. I'd suggest if you still don't understand what svchost is and why it can't be "fixed" then you might be best advised to leave well alone, with all due respect. Sorry, trying not to be patronising, but disabling services or killing processes could mess up your system if you don't know what you're about.

Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 26th March 11:28

[bracken78]

Cheers for all the info, I’ll look at what’s been suggested, very useful reading.

Thanks GreenV8S, I’ll look at that.

victormeldrew said:

Enough info has been posted already to tell you what it is and advise on how to stop programs from running as services if you need to. I'd suggest if you still don't understand what svchost is and why it can't be "fixed" then you might be best advised to leave well alone, with all due respect. Sorry, trying not to be patronising, but disabling services or killing processes could mess up your system if you don't know what you're about.

I have no interest in destroying my computer (your not sounding patronising, just telling it like it is), as from what I’ve read up on, this is a program that need to run, and so I was only trying to see if it was fixable In terms of making the computer itself actual usable.

I'll have a look tonight and see what happens.

[GregE240]

The problem you are having (I imagine) is probably Windows Update. Coupled with that, you probably have it set to automatically update.

It tries to run this every day, causing yours (and my) PC to slow down to a crawl. Or slower.

I disabled Auto Update, and run it manually now. And no problems with performance.

HTH
Greg

[beanbag]

GregE240 said:

The problem you are having (I imagine) is probably Windows Update. Coupled with that, you probably have it set to automatically update.

It tries to run this every day, causing yours (and my) PC to slow down to a crawl. Or slower.

I disabled Auto Update, and run it manually now. And no problems with performance.

HTH
Greg

I'll second this. I used to have automatic updates enabled on my Media Center PC hooked up to the telly, but whenever Windows Update checked for patches, the whole system would slow to a crawl. After a little investigation, I disable automatic updates and I've not had a problem since.

If you are a little brave, you can also speed up your system by disabling unnecessary services while you're at it. Things like remote registry can be disabled as they are nothing but a security risk, plus also the wireless assistant if you have no wireless hardware installed.

Check out this page for more info: www.optimizingpc.com/optimize/windowsservices.html

Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility if you end up screwing up your system. Remember that playing with services is considered advanced computer administration and should not be attempted if you feel the least bit cautious. Always backup your data before hand and read all advice carefully so you understand what you are doing BEFORE you take action!!!

Good luck!

P.S. Disabling Windows Update can be done through the control panel safely. Just remember to manually check every fortnight or so....