Why does Store Broker (wshost.exe) keep killing my CPU?

Anonymous
2014-01-24T23:58:25+00:00

I've got a new Windows 8 machine and, for some reason, the Store Broker keeps pegging my CPU. It seems to pop up every time I do anything with the Windows Store (makes sense) or use some Metro apps (also makes sense). However, for some reason, this process takes up 33% of my CPU and never lets go of it once it starts. This causes the machine to get hot which causes the fan to come on and the combination drastically reduces my battery life (from 11hrs to 3).

Aside from frequently checking for and killing this app, is there anything else I can do about this? Is anyone else having this problem? Is it a misconfiguration on my end? I'm running this on a new Surface Pro 2.

Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2014-03-19T01:17:01+00:00

I SOLVED this. At least for myself. It's been a 3-day journey. Argh!

The upshot is this:

Kill Store and Store Broker from task list.

Rename the Cache folder to CacheOld at:

C:\Users(Your User Account)\AppData\Local\Packages\WinStore_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState

(Your WinStore_gobblygook might be a different bunch of gobbblygook)

Create an empty folder called Cache.

Solved! For me anyway.

Enjoy,

Ron

PS

I have been at this for days. I've read every article and post everywhere. I have updated graphics drivers, set date and time, run wsreset, sfc /scannnow, created new user account (store did work for new account), app troubleshooter, etc, etc, etc...

Today I just started digging around and looking at dates. I don't have log files to back this up but I believe I broke Store with CCleaner. I'm not sure exactly when the Store broke so this is a best guess but it makes some sense since Ccleaner does clean Store cache.

I also recently installed Tor Browser but my gut is that that was totally unrelated.

I might create a sandbox user and try to break Store with Ccleaner to confirm. But honestly I am tired of this little adventure.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-19T14:54:03+00:00

    I know for a fact that I've not had CCleaner anywhere near my system, so that one ought to be able to be ruled out.  Removing the cache folder however does appear to have done the trick.  My surface is used purely for business so there are no sore apps on it other that what came with win 8.1,  gut instinct points to a bad update but as to which I don't know.

    Dom

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-19T14:40:32+00:00

    Thanks Typoll,

    After creating the new folder I backed out of file explorer (old habit) and rebooted.  Rechecked new folder an location.  Looked good.  Opened task manager and no surging cpu.  Re-registered Store and then opened it.  First time I've seen it open in two months.  Previously I refreshed windows 8.1 to see if that helped and lost some apps.  They show up as not installed in 'my apps' so I'll work with those. CCcleaner may be the culprit.  I use it also.  Thanks again.

    Arthur

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-19T13:03:59+00:00

    Another user looked further and noticed a filename in the cache folder which was too long to delete and which might be the problem.

    I've played around some and the file on my computer comes from installing software from the store by Trillion Software - specifically 3D Marble Tracks.

    This game is very buggy on my system and I had uninstalled it immediately after a single play.

    Today I reinstalled it then removed it. The offending filename is back but Store still works.

    Another theory in this thread is that updating apps may start the problem. My guess is that if I leave the long filename in place after uninstalling the app then eventually an auto-update will occur and Store Broker will try to touch the file and break.

    But as of right now the only thing I've actually reproduced is the creation of a filename too long to delete. Trillion Software is definitely the culprit there.

    I'll leave the long filename in place and post an update if and when problem reoccurs.

    Thanks all.

    Ron

    PS

    I did rerun Ccleaner and think it is not at fault here.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-19T08:17:02+00:00

    Hi, Problem solved!

    I tried all the steps in this threat but only these two solved the problem:

    1.) Delete the Cache Folder of the winStore:

    C:\Users(Your User Account)\AppData\Local\Packages\WinStore_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState

    2.) Reregister the store:

    powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml

    Thank you to all helping solving the Problem.!

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