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
    2014-05-28T21:25:20+00:00

    EDIT: By the way: Microsofts "solutions and support" were no help, e.g. absolutely useless!

    Well, this is just a general rant, because Microsofts "support" and unhelpful error handling makes me aggressive:

    For me the Problem started with an official Microsoft update and/or the recent change in the Store Design, which happened at the same time.

    On my Surface everything worked, on my desktop the Store froze everytime I tried to start it. I made the same oddysey as everyone else.

    Microsoft shoud really update ist Support page or maybe even include the function to really!?!? clear that cache in WSReset,exe. Maybe it is included and failed, but WSreset did not "feel the Need to Report that? How would I know?

    I know it is fashionable these days to not give error Messages but the Store idling away with ist green loading background after WSreset and this stupid wheely-thinghy made me aggressive. No time-out, no message box, nothing. Neither did any program report success nor failure, just silence.

    That is Interface design at its worst. It is allright for software to admit errors and failures, showing weakness makes you (the programmer, the software company) appear humble. and willing to improve.

    Which leads me to the conclusion: Microsoft does not seem to want to improve.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T16:30:48+00:00

    You're the best!

    Windows Store ist starting up.

    after many hours of searching finally help.

    For me there were 4 files had to long a file name.

    I deleted the files separately.

    The evening is saved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-03T11:48:08+00:00

    Works for me, thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-10T19:08:45+00:00

    Same thing is happening to me.  Basically makes computer unusable:

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