Windows Store Broker problem: very high CPU usage

Anonymous

Starting several weeks ago (January 2014) the task Windows Store Broker (wshost.exe) starts randomly and quickly climbs up to 50-60% CPU usage - even if no "Metro" apps are running and I haven't opened the Windows Store. I can end the task in the Task Manager yet it starts again within minutes and begins using 50%of my CPU again. (See screenshot).

Full anti-virus scan reveals no problems.

Resetting the Windows Store (wsreset.exe) doesn't solve the issue.

I searched the Windows\WinSxS directory and found wshost.exe in 3 places. One of them was updated January 17, 2014. My guess is that this update caused the problem.

Anyone else having the same issue?

Anyone found a solution?

Is Microsoft aware of the issue and working on a solution?

My only resort for now is to disable the Windows Store via a registry entry to avoid my laptop continually overheating due to extremely high CPU usage.

I appreciate any help.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

It may be necessary to show both Hidden, and System Files, and also to uncheck "Hide known file types" in Control Panel/ Folder Options/ View, to navigate to the mentioned AppData location.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Select Options.

Folder options should appear:

Click the View tab then select "Show hidden files, folders and drives"

Select OK.

Proceed to Appdata

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Anonymous

2014-02-28T12:35:05+00:00

Hi Limney.

Thanks for the suggestions. I carried out every one of them but the problem has not been solved.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth did find and restore a corrupted "prncacla.inf" file on my laptop, but afterwards wshost.exe. still starts regularly all on its own and uses over 60% CPU constantly.

I read in another thread on this same problem that restoring the corrupted "prncacla.inf" file by running DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth from an elevated command prompt fixed the problem for one user, but unfortunately not for me.

Has anyone else tried this and had success?

Any other possible solutions available?

Until the problem with the Store Broker is solved I cannot risk accessing the Windows Store or downloading / updating apps since it overheats my laptop very quickly.

Please continue to focus effort in fixing this very frustrating problem. Thanks!
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