Forget about hot fixes, register editing and black magic. I even re-installed the whole OS and I got the same problem again! THIS is the quickest and most effective solution to the 99 % CPU usage by SVCHOST.EXE during Microsoft Update procedure. Read on and in 2 minutes you’ll get control on your computer again!
1) Click on Start > All programs > Windows Update
2) In the opened Microsoft Windows Update window click on “Change Settings” in the left grey column.
3) Disable Microsoft Update option and don’t care about the warnings.
4) Go through the uninstall procedure of Microsoft Update and enjoy the possibility of Windows Update again.
And that’s it: you’ll get your updates for Windows anyway and your computer will not be stuck anymore!!!
Discuss Biology
March 14, 2007 at 10:07 pm |
buy a mac
you wont have any more problems
March 14, 2007 at 11:06 pm |
you propaganda man
buy me a Mac!
March 26, 2007 at 9:06 pm |
You are the man!!!
April 13, 2007 at 12:38 am |
Haha, no. Macs suck.
Gaming is all PC based.
PCs can do everything a Mac can do (and more), and doesn’t carry the hefty price to get similar hardware. Plus, you can build a PC, and not a Mac (not easily, in any case).
April 19, 2007 at 7:26 pm |
That’s amazing why does it work on 12 of my other PC’s and it doesn’t work on my HP Pavilion 5210us? I did what you said, got back immediate speed and problem was resolved instantly. How come it works on my other 12 though? I always got my updates in the past from Microsoft Update.
April 19, 2007 at 8:51 pm |
Well djangojazz I am sorry: I am not such a good expert to answer your question
April 19, 2007 at 9:46 pm |
thank you very mutch
April 23, 2007 at 5:41 pm |
It worked! Thank you. My computer slowness is gone.
April 23, 2007 at 6:33 pm |
Oh well, today my working day was like s..t, and it is even nicer to feel helpful for somebody’s else work
April 24, 2007 at 8:23 pm |
you are so cool, man^^^, problem solved!!!
April 27, 2007 at 7:48 pm |
Thank you, this solution worked perfectly!
May 9, 2007 at 5:34 am |
So what do you do about updating windows?? Just uninstall windows update and all is well? All of you fuckwads are brainless.
May 9, 2007 at 5:34 am |
Fuckers
May 9, 2007 at 5:40 am |
Cock knockers. Ionnis is right, you should buy a mac and you wont have anymore problems…or at least you wont know about it if you do.
>Haha, no. Macs suck.
>
>Gaming is all PC based.
>PCs can do everything a Mac can do (and more), and doesn’t carry the hefty price to get >similar hardware. Plus, you can build a PC, and not a Mac (not easily, in any case).
Have you lost your fucking mind? “PCs can do everything a Mac can do (and more),” Youre absolutely right..PC’s running windows can do much more than Macs. Things like being compromised by a rootkit and taking part in botnet DDoS and spam attacks. Macs arent so good at doing those things, so yeah, youre absolutely right. PC’s can do much more in the way they suck compared to Macs.
Go get a fucking clue.
May 9, 2007 at 7:45 am |
Hi Moron it seems you cannot read so well. You uninstall microsoft update and you re-activate windows update. I hope not all Mac users are like you
May 9, 2007 at 3:30 pm |
Thanks for the article, it led me to find the real cause of the problem, You need this hotfix here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7a81b0cd-a0b9-497e-8a89-404327772e5a&displaylang=en&Hash=G0VRm89YHPrpmTMRnUhJsG21KTrxznu%2b0SoP2G4TKPnX%2fQQvQZBI%2fRRjxh7f1YSlF6ThLdu1dQKHPu%2fl%2bRC%2feQ%3d%3d then you can use microsoft update again
May 9, 2007 at 3:31 pm |
Incase my link above here is a better one to the microsoft hotfix http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7A81B0CD-A0B9-497E-8A89-404327772E5A
May 9, 2007 at 3:39 pm |
I didn’t put the link to Microsoft because in my case the hotfix din’t fix the problem. And I read in internet that the hotfix was not helpful also in other cases. But if it is sometimes working, good you wrote it.
May 9, 2007 at 4:52 pm |
I have had the same problem. There is a short term fix by disabeling the automatic update service.
May 9, 2007 at 7:27 pm |
thanks a lot man!!!!!!!! saved by you
May 10, 2007 at 11:24 am |
I have found this fix. Try the reset first.
http://www.amset.info/windows/auto-updates.asp#Reset%20Automatic%20Updates
May 10, 2007 at 1:44 pm |
that worked for me 2. cheers guys. i had 20 laptops go wrong!!!! now all fixed. ta
May 10, 2007 at 2:16 pm |
Happy you solved your problems! Yesterday this post got 1200 contacts: it seems this bug is spread out everywhere!
May 11, 2007 at 9:13 am |
Where is the Disable Microsoft Update Option within the Change Settings page, all i can see is a list of languages to choose from and to show beta updates? Im i looking in the wrong place or have microsofts changed this?
May 11, 2007 at 9:29 am |
Ignore my last message.
In order for this option to be enabled you must have the latest update software installed on your computer, follow this link:
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate
sorry for repeating this information if its already been covered above.
May 11, 2007 at 9:10 pm |
Worked Perfectly!
May 12, 2007 at 5:26 pm |
worked perfectly
May 14, 2007 at 2:25 pm |
Atta Boy !
Worked as you instructed.
Thank you ( two times ! ) much appreciated.
May 14, 2007 at 4:08 pm |
How do you accomplish step #4?
May 14, 2007 at 5:53 pm |
You just have to accept the possibility to use Windows Update: it is written on the same screen you were working on in step 3.
May 14, 2007 at 7:32 pm |
After they tell you: “You have successfully disabled blablabla” they inform “you can also visit Windows Update website“. Just visit it.
May 16, 2007 at 10:01 am |
Microshit have a “hot fix” for the issue
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891/
May 18, 2007 at 3:05 am |
THANK YOU! It worked!!
May 18, 2007 at 3:19 pm |
Many thanks. This was very irritating, and with the knowledge that it was MS caused, is now more so.
May 23, 2007 at 12:26 am |
This was brilliant! Cheers.
May 25, 2007 at 11:20 pm |
I have got my computer back from hell!
Thank you very much!
Take care.
June 4, 2007 at 6:53 pm |
Thanks for the help Seems to have solved the painfull problem
Cheers
July 6, 2007 at 9:05 pm |
OK, I got through step 3 –thank you!– but am stuck as to how to uninstall MS Update. Where do I do that? (Using XP Pro.)
July 11, 2007 at 5:20 pm |
@missy
After they tell you: “You have successfully disabled blablabla” they inform “you can also visit Windows Update website“. Just visit it clicking on the link.
September 11, 2007 at 2:42 am |
Thanks Dude. Your the F-ing MAN!!! May computer was running like a snail!!!
October 11, 2007 at 7:36 am |
the 4 steps own. Thanks!!!!!!!!
January 21, 2008 at 4:23 am |
I’m in a pickle. I’ve got the svchost.exe problem – it’s sucking up all my cpu. It doesn’t die down after a few minutes – it stays at around 70-100% constantly. I tried disabling/removing microsoft update, I tried completely turning off automatic updates, I tried the 927891 hotfix, I tried deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder (it won’t let me delete the ReportingEvents.log file, and the rest of the files regenerate upon reboot), I tried stopping the security update service, and after every little hack and fix and patch I could find (including this one), my svchost is still chuggin along at 80% of my cpu.
I really need to get this fixed! Any further ideas? Thanks so much…
January 24, 2008 at 12:37 am |
I feel bad but I can’t help you any further
Hope you find somebody that can give some more useful informations.
Good luck!!
March 14, 2008 at 9:58 pm |
You da man!!!!! This fixed my issue!! Thanks!
March 15, 2008 at 12:27 am |
Really happy for you, but what I wonder is why Microsoft doesn’t solve this issue. I wrote this post one year ago..
March 27, 2008 at 12:32 am |
Seemed to work instantly. How simple that fix was. Now, let’s hope it continues to work after a reboot.
April 6, 2008 at 10:50 am |
Thank you sir .
April 6, 2008 at 10:55 pm |
You’re welcome!
April 9, 2008 at 10:44 pm |
loranablog,
Thank you for the tips! =]
Noogy wrote that they were still having problems with SVCHOST.EXE even after they tried to fix it. There are viruses out there that pretend to be SVCHOST. A virus would explain the constantly high CPU usage. Maybe Noogy should try a good anti-virus program to fix their problem.
Also, one of Noogy’s SVCHOST.EXE files might be corrupt. I think if you delete a SVCHOST file, Windows will replace it with a brand new one. So that might be an option.
Noogy could try other sites like, Annoyances.org to find a solution. If Noogy tries everything else, and still can’t fix the problem on their own, they could try contacting Microsoft about the problem.
Whatever the problem is, I hope they find an answer.
Regards,
-The Watcher
April 9, 2008 at 11:14 pm |
loranablog,
I just found out a couple of things and I needed to make an update…
The main points are:
1) DON’T DELETE SVCHOST.EXE.
2) There is a virus out there called, “sCVhost”. Notice the slight difference in spelling. This is intended to confuse people.
3) ZoneAlarm or another firewall program could be blocking SVCHOST. This could cause SVCHOST to run constantly, trying over and over to make a connection to the internet. (Personally, I recommend Filseclab over ZoneAlarm for a firewall.)
Here’s the full article:
http://ask-leo.com/svchost_and_svchostexe_crashs_cpu_maximization_viruses_exploits_and_more.html
Regards,
-The Watcher
May 5, 2008 at 8:51 pm |
Thank you for this info. It worked like a charm!
May 5, 2008 at 11:59 pm |
Happy to be useful
May 7, 2008 at 7:17 pm |
you are the best. i spent 5 hours trying to solve this issue before reading your solution. what a simple quick remedy. thank you so much. river
May 9, 2008 at 7:37 pm |
Thank you for this information, It worked instantly, but how can I get Microsoft updates when they come out?
May 10, 2008 at 12:01 am |
If you click here and you click on the link on the upright corner called office update you should be able to get office update without passing through the annoying Microsoft update
May 10, 2008 at 8:34 am |
what do u mean by step 4? i done up to 3, and 4 well i dont get it, explain plz
May 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm |
It’s caused by a combination of the new windows update plugin and MS office software. You dont have to uninstall windows updates, just revert back to the old version of the update.
May 13, 2008 at 4:32 pm |
This didn’t work!!! What now???
May 14, 2008 at 2:22 pm |
Thank you mister, you have finally solved my problem. Dear god that was annoying.
May 16, 2008 at 8:26 pm |
Thank you!
May 19, 2008 at 7:53 pm |
you da man!
May 22, 2008 at 11:04 am |
TY YOU SO MUCH! I have tried to fix this problem the past 2 years. Finally its over!
May 22, 2008 at 11:53 am |
Should Bill Gates read this blog and solve the problem? Hay, Biiiiiiill!!!!??
June 1, 2008 at 2:53 am |
THANK YOU DUDE!!!
June 2, 2008 at 6:16 pm |
Hi,
Thanks for the help!!!!
June 15, 2008 at 12:26 am |
svchost.exe CPU running from 93 – 99%. Turned off automatic updates & svchost still running 93 – 99% although haven’t rebooted yet. Tried checking for Microsoft updates and wont allow me to check for updates as I have automatic updates turned off!!! How do I get my updates?
June 15, 2008 at 10:13 am |
After you put MICROSOFT automatic updates off you’ve to turn on WINDOWS update. After rebooting did you still have 93% SVCHOST?
July 29, 2008 at 5:08 pm |
Thanks a lot for this information, fixed my problem instantly.
By the way, (and I know this is about a year late) to ioannis and Moron_muncher? I’d rather have my PC than your bullshit.
September 10, 2008 at 9:39 pm |
Thank you Thank you Thank you – I thought I was going mad!
September 10, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
Very happy to help. This post is more than one year old: did Microsoft find a patch for it or not?
October 9, 2008 at 11:29 pm |
uhh in change settings there is no disable, just language and beta testing….
October 11, 2008 at 12:14 pm |
Then probably you’re using Windows update already, not Microsoft update…
November 16, 2008 at 7:27 am |
If you kill the offending svchost.exe process and watch which services in services.msc stop as a result, you can usually get a clue as to the cause of the problem. another place to look is eventvwr.msc, if you see alot of serious errors that do not have to do with active directory or system time, or a particular 3rd party app crashing now and then, that might lead you to the cause and solution of the problem.
if it is always using the CPU, that doesnt necessarily mean its a virus, it could be a symptom of a hardware problem, which you can confirm by reinstalling windows or even a different version of windows (likely on a different hard drive but same system), but most people dont have that option. in many cases the hardware problem makes scvhost.exe stay pegging the processor at 90%+ indefinitely, and only by killing that svchost.exe instance does the problem go away, but then usually it will kill 5 or 6 important processes, like Server, Workstation, Print Spooler, or sound to name a few, which for most people is not an option. I would try something like STOPPING services in services.msc one at a time (NOT DISABLING!!!), because the worst that can happen is your computer crashes if you stop the wrong process, in which case you can just restart. eventually by doing this you should find which stopped process causes the svchost.exe to stop pegging the CPU, and then you can look into it further.
apparently this issue is more prevalent among people who have ms office installed, the original hotfixes which were supposed to stop this every time automatic updates was triggered apparently stopped working once the person installed ms office, and they released yet more hotfixes which i never had any luck on.
i am also annoyed by the automatic updates notification, so i simply disable updates and manually turn it back on once a month or so to get them out of the way. i leave my system on for weeks at a time so i dont really want that annoyance anyways.
also sorry to disappoint the mac fans on here, but there ARE mac viruses in the wild, i would like to refer you to the Month of Apple Bugs project which found 31 errors in one month of varying severity, most of which were the kind that Microsoft had fixed years ago, such as buffer overruns. link: http://projects.info-pull.com/moab/
if any mac fan ever argues that it is just as easy to develop software for the mac as for the PC, but that most vendors just as easily that its just as easy to write viruses for the mac. one of the selling points of the mac is that it is simple, so many mac users arent tech savvy and are as likely as windows users to run a file that has a virus in it, even when it asks for a password.
neither windows or mac or linux or bsd or unix are any more secure than any other inherently, as it is 99% of the time the problem was entirely the users fault. had they updated their shit to close known security holes, scanned the files they ran for viruses, and inspected the source code of simply scripts they download from the internet to be sure it doesnt do something blatantly malicious, they wouldnt have had the problem. I use windows xp heavily, and i often dont apply updates for several weeks after they’re available because i dont want to restart, and i haven’t had a virus since 2003. i dont even run an antivirus, i have one, but i disable it because i dont like it scanning my shit constantly because i know my shit doesnt have viruses in it, when i download something i dont trust i scan it, thats it. i run a full scan maybe once a month and i NEVER find anything.
December 6, 2008 at 12:10 am |
It worked the first time, then I later reset the computer and when I turned it on the whole thing started again and the option to turn auto updates on or off isnt there now.
If I end the svc process, it usually stops charging to 99% for a while, but the sound usually stops working.
Please help!!!
December 25, 2008 at 12:25 am |
I still don’t understand Step #4. Windows Update leads to the same website as Microsoft Update does on my computer. I didn’t get those notifications that you did when I disabled Automatic Updates. The URL both icons took me to is http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us . Help?
March 31, 2009 at 6:30 am |
Easier 2 step solution.
1 – Open command prompt (start > run > cmd)
2 – run this command below
net stop “Automatic Updates”
Automatic update stops running in the background and you get your cpu back
Peace!
http://mental-roars.blogspot.com/2009/03/svchostexe-eating-up-cpu-resources-and.html
March 31, 2009 at 6:31 am |
for those who want to start it again, use the command prompt again:
net start “Automatic Updates”
May 2, 2009 at 12:51 pm |
I’ve tried four your step, my problem coming again…
u have another way to solve problem like this
May 2, 2009 at 1:13 pm |
Well, looking at the last comments left this year on this post, it seems this method doesn’t work anymore.
That’s really sad.
Actually, last year it worked for many people and for me as well (and it still works).
I am not an expert, I’ve to say, and it is difficult to me to find an additional solution. Sorry man, if you find some solutions in google, I would be glad you to post it back here.
July 31, 2009 at 5:01 pm |
[...] Now you can visit the “Windows update” page instead of the “Microsoft Update” Source [...]
August 6, 2009 at 6:54 am |
Hmmm… I don’t know how this last comment ^ linking to my blog ended up here. It looks like a pingback but I don’t have anything in my post linking to your blog.
Anyways. The third solution in my post did it for me. But it was such a long time ago; don’t remember the details. Thought MS fixed this issue by now.
August 20, 2009 at 9:59 pm |
Do you have an HP printer?
In my case (running xp home), I discovered that the application causing the problem was an HP printer monitor. I uninstalled it just to see if it will work. I was surprised to see that green bar go down from around 98% constantly to almost 0% at idle. I don’t know what the printer monitor is doing exactly, but I am not going to install it again as I can still access the printer from a vista computer on the network. I would think that you can install HP’s printer driver without the printer monitor.
August 21, 2009 at 9:11 am |
I don’t have any HP printer. But it is very interesting to see how the svchost.exe problem seems to have different causes. Thanks a lot for your comment.
August 22, 2009 at 9:59 pm |
All mac users are brainless…. theyd rather have things done for them than try it themself…. never trust a mac user either, they are all dodgy f*ckers with there head lodged quite firmly up there own rectums.
Basicaly… mindless turncoats
August 23, 2009 at 12:07 am |
I do not agree. if ONE mac user is brainless, you cannot generalize. I am sure is full of PC brainless users out there, but we’re not all the same.
September 17, 2009 at 10:22 am |
didn’t work on my Vista… Damn!
September 21, 2009 at 9:13 pm |
I’m thinking of killing the process using end process of task manager.I want to know if killing the svchost process will cause any problem or it is safe to do this.
September 21, 2009 at 9:20 pm |
Yes u can kill it there is no problem as far as i know.
September 21, 2009 at 10:07 pm |
But if I remember correctly soon a new svchost.exe 99% will come back..
November 1, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
thanks man for helping,…earlier i used to go to task manager then processes and then i look for svchost.exe and how much memory it uses then i selected that and click on end process,…anyways thanks again