Windows Store Broker problem: very high CPU usage

Anonymous
2014-02-24T10:36:33+00:00

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.

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2014-03-19T01:40:43+00:00

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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Anonymous
2014-12-31T04:32:09+00:00

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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Anonymous
2014-12-31T01:56:03+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T02:11:23+00:00

    Thanks for the info. I tried checking the profile and creating a new one, but it actually made it worse. Now I can't even open PC Settings or SkyDrive. The apps open briefly then close right away. My other windows apps work, but not the Store, PC Settings, or SkyDrive. It almost seems like it's an issue with my MS account. I did run the MS Account troubleshooter and it found a few errors, the main error being "signed in with a guest account". I'm not signed in with a guest account, so something must be interfering with the communication between my computer and MS account servers. Since I can't get into PC Settings I can't think of any way to fix it.

    I did think switching to a new profile would work, but when I created a new profile from a local Admin account, the new account was completely blank. When I logged in all I got was a blank screen. 

    Not sure what to do at this point, but it would be nice to get more of a response from MS.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T05:24:22+00:00

    This Forum is for Windows users with most of the contributors being just normal Windows users like you and me.  If you want to involve Microsoft then you must contact them yourself.

    What Backups do you run on your machine?  Have you got any that you can restore from?

    Does your old profile still exist and if so can you sign in to that user?

    Can you get to SkyDrive via your Browser and signing in with your Microsoft Account?

    https://onedrive.live.com/

    Win8: App: Modern: Apps fail to start if default registry or file permissions modified

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2798317

    Do you have this folder?  Try creating this folder (if not)  as mentioned in this post.

    C:\Windows\AppReadiness

    Error Code 0x80073cf9 - Continues with no fix.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_store/error-code-0x80073cf9-continues-with-no-fix/6c6b605c-59a3-4586-9f07-cbca8dc97ace

    E-mail Microsoft Customer Service

    https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1539

    Answer Desk

    http://answerdesk.microsoftstore.com/msusa/en-us/answerdesk?&partnerid=store&rejoin=0&psrc=mscom&entryid=mscom&campaign=msdotcom_slashanswerdesk&WT.mc_id=msdotcom_slashanswerdesk

    Microsoft Support: Contact Us

    http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support#tab0

    Microsoft: Phone Numbers for Microsoft Technical Support

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319726/en-us  

    Global Customer Service phone numbers

    http://support.microsoft.com/gp/customer-service-phone-numbers/en-au

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