SVCHOST.EXE Workstation Issue

Author: Babul A. Mukherjee

28 Jan

We are seeing serious issues (high CPU, high memory usage) with the SVCHOST.EXE process on WSUS Windows XP managed workstations. This may happen on 2000 or non-WSUS stations as well.

The following URL explains one of the symptoms: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089

This has dramatically impacted some workstations and servers. Microsoft PSS has a quick fix which you can call in and get.

But we have found a cleaner way and it appears to work. YMMV. It may also be a good solution if Windows/Microsoft Update is acting goofy.

1. Disable the "Automatic Updates" service
2. Disable the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service’ service
3. Reboot the workstation/server
4. Delete all files from the "%WINDIR%\SoftwareDistribution" folder (ex. C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution).
5. Change the "Automatic Updates" service to Automatic startup
6. Change the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" service to Manual startup

7. Either run Windows/Microsoft Update again (for non-WSUS managed stations), or

7. Remove the computer from WSUS.

8. Enter "WUAUCLT.EXE /DETECTNOW" from the command prompt or Run. The WUAUCLT.EXE might take a few minutes or hours to start communicating with WSUS (depending on how your WSUS is setup).

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