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
    2014-02-13T15:37:30+00:00

    Hi,

    We are trying to reproduce this issue, for now please try these steps accordingly as suggested and get back with the results.

    Method 1:

    Try to run sfc /scannow.

    Run SFC scan on the computer to make sure system files are intact:

    If a Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected. For example, some Windows functions may not work, or Windows may crash. The System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) scans for missing or corrupted system files and repairs them.

    **http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833**

    Note: It may ask for windows installation DVD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

    Method 2:

    Check the status in safe mode and safe mode with networking both on by one.

    Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)”

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

    Method 3:

    Try to run complete security scan.

    I would suggest I would suggest you to run a complete security scan using Microsoft Safety scanner or the antivirus software installed on your computer and check.

    http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

    Important Notes:

    ·The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

    ·Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

    Method 4:

    Clear Windows store cache.

    You may try to reset the Store cache and check if it helps:

    a Press the Windows key + R.

    b. Type WSReset.exe and hit enter.

    c. Reboot the computer and check if it helps.

    Please  report back with the results.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-12T23:10:17+00:00

    I know there's background processes going on.  Freaks me-out.

    Yea, Bill Gates isn't feeling rich enough and Microsoft is mining Bitcoins with your processor while the Store is open... haha ;-)

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-12T22:34:17+00:00

    Add me to the list.  Tried many suggestions.  Was hoping today's updates would help.  Saw 100% on my i7 processor with just the store and desktop open.  I know there's background processes going on.  Freaks me-out.  Come on Microsoft.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-12T06:29:24+00:00

    Bah, I was hoping the 16 part update today would cure this problem.

    Nope :(

    At least KillProcess 4.1 (http://www.tgmdev.be/) is automatically finding and killing the WSHost.exe process when it pops up. I worked with the developer last week to have him add a feature so that it can automatically run at startup, so I've got a decent workaround to this issue for now.

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