A process called Service Host: Local System is using up all of my laptops resources

i might have a solution to this problem.

my service host local system was eating heaps of data and memory.

i tried all the solutions mentioned in this thread & some from other forums on the same topic: disabling bits, hitting end task on service host, virus scan, sfc/scannow, clean boot, turning it off and on, a factory reset!!!, then upgrading from windows 8 to 8.1. 

**all with no success**

**however** 

after doing the 8 to 8.1 upgrade, i then downloaded & installed all the other windows updates

now service host local system is not using any data and a fraction of the previous memory use. 

i suspect that the updates download via service host local system. so if this gets interrupted, the download has to start all over again. 

windows updates can be found:

win+c (or mouse to right corner of screen) > settings > change pc settings (bottom option) > update and recovery > windows update > check now

the updates are set to download automatically by default, but this can be changed (eg. if you have a limited data plan or computer is running too slow when updates download):

win+c (or mouse to right corner of screen) > settings > change pc settings (bottom option) > update and recovery > windows update > check how updates get installed > important updates drop down menu > check for updates but let me choose whether to download an install them.

obviously, go back to windows update every so often & manually download the updates.

Hello everyone!!

First of all I would like to say that I'm very disappointed with Microsoft due to their lack of response.

On the other hand, I want to thank Birdienumnun for his support. It worked for me.

In addition to what to he says, I manually installed every update I could until there were no more to find. Then, I change my configuration to: "Never check for updates", finally I "tried" to run the Automatic Maintenance suggested by the Action Center (I say "tried" because when I click there nothing happens.....)

Now my CPU usage has dropped to less than 40% and memory to 60% (is better than 90% at least).

Hope I could help you all as you helped me :)

Best regards!

A couple of comments:

A) It is absolutely ridiculous that over 2 years and sooooo many ppl complaining that Microsoft is silent on the issue!

B) the screen shot above still shows 761M (!) of usage by just one of the Service Host processes

Microsoft - any response????????????

Agreed!!!!

Something to note - I was experiencing a similar issue (CPU usage from service host was over 70%), but I noticed the process below it was an HP help process. I ended that, and my service host usage immediately dropped to 0%. Try closing superfluous HP processes and see if it does the trick. 

how to close the "Superfluous HP Processes?