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

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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
    2014-02-25T06:13:14+00:00

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

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/why-does-store-broker-wshostexe-keep-killing-my/4c878d5d-de09-4648-b844-834383f447f3

    What if you test with another Windows user rather than the current user?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-25T05:52:40+00:00

    Hi,

    For a better understanding of the issue, let me know which antivirus software are you using?

    Store Broker (wshost.exe) is basically in charge of metro permissions. If you kill the process, that would kill the metro apps. Let's try few steps to resolve this issue.

    Method 1:

    I would suggest you to run the system maintenance troubleshooter.

    Follow these steps:

    a) Press the ‘Windows + W’ key on the keyboard.

    b) Type troubleshooter in the search box and then press enter.

    c) Click system and security and run the System maintenance troubleshooter.

    Method 2:

    If the issue persists, I would suggest you to boot the computer to safe mode and check if the issue occurs or not. If the issue does not occur in Safe mode, set the computer in a clean boot state and check if it helps.

    **Step 1:**I would suggest you to refer the article and check if it helps.

    Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

    Step 2:

    If the issue do not occur in Safe Mode perform a clean boot and check. 

    Setting the system in a clean boot state will help to identify if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

    How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows

    Note: After clean boot troubleshooting steps, refer to the section "How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot" in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.

    Method 3:

    I would suggest you to run virus scan using Microsoft Safety Scanner to make sure computer is free from virus.

    The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove virus, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

    Microsoft Safety Scanner

    Note:

    1) 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.

    2) If you run the virus scan the program that is infected with virus will get deleted. So you have to reinstall the program. Also if the files and folders are affected with virus then they might even get deleted.

    Refer to article for additional information:http://blogs.msdn.com/b/notime/archive/2013/10/21/10458031.aspx

    Note: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

    Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with updated status of the issue to assist you further.

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