Svchost and Svchost.exe - Crashs, CPU maximization, viruses, exploits and more.

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I have found that if you turn off automatic updates in the security centre you don't get the SVCHOST problem, I realise I now will have to manually check for updates, but who cares, this problem has been really getting on my nerves.

Once you are logged on to your pc and svchost.exe starts to use the cpu, wait for two min, then do the Ctrl+alt+del key combo, and just kill the process, if you don't have a NT based pc, kill the process from Command promp just insert Kill (name of process) and enter, if you have a Win32 inatllation disk, simply if you have XP (CdRoom) press F8 and get into Safe Mode, insert the Xp disk and reinstall, if you donot have a Xp disk you can download the disk via torrent just visit bitlord.com and thepiratebay.org and get yourself some Vkl cd keys and the disk image or Iso the using nero or your tird party cdr software, Svchost is ussually what happens wen you get rid of a Rouge Anti/virus/spyware manually or automaticly by your real antivirus software the your computer start a memmory leak and halts using a blue screen, and my friend Andy found another way to solve this problem, but my piont is reinstall your OS, or even do a system restore, or from comand promp type (safemode) this Chkdsk /f and it will confirm your sys files, also svchost can create a sound malafunction if terminated, fix by reinstalling for device manager, hope my resolutions brin sof much joy, you will march down the streets to legalize Ilegal aliens, other wise go have a cup of teat!

I have that problem as well. I suspect Svchost goes to high CPU for several reasons on my win XP Pro laptop:
1) Automatic updates
2) Norton Anti-virus
3) Windows Defender

All three load as windows services and are big resource hogs. They also heavily engage in HD access with their file scanning. Since I have a laptop with a 5400 rpm HD, the laptop bogs down during these disk scans, and its speed declines from 1.8 Ghz to 5400 rpm. Argh. Argh. Argh. Microsoft and Norton have to optimize their code. Don't they have enough money to do this? Sheesh.

My Hp laptop runs fine if I am connected to the network at work or connected to my DSL router at home. If I disconnect from either network my processor runs from 0-5% straight 100%. It is svchost.exe taking up most of the resources? How can I fix this? Any ideas?

Just to let you all know; I have this same issue, but did not have this problem until I had to install a new hard drive due to mechanical problems and reformat and install winXP pro again. Prior to this I had all recent updates on winXP pro and ran all kinds of security - but never had an svchost problem. After installing a new hard drive I reformatted the drive, installed winxp pro(and was NOT physically connected to my dsl router in any way). I made a cd from my secure laptop with various winXP updates and AVG anti-virus program. I installed them prior to connecting to my home network which is NATed. Once connected to my LAN, the only web site I visited was windows update ( I remember the days of installing a new copy of win2K, trying to go to win updates web site and instantly getting hit with all kinds of crap). So now my pc is only running winXP pro sp2 with all recent security updates and I still peg 100% when I visit the windows update site. I only have the following software installed; MS office 2003 with all updates, AVG anti-virus, IrfanView, HP deskjet F380 software & drivers, Adobe reader 8, winzip 11, ATI catalyst control center, Widows media player 11 - THAT'S IT AND STILL SVCHOST PEGS MY CPU - COME ON MICROSOFT PATCH THE PATCH THAT CAUSED THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I experience exactly the same problem with high CPU utilization, high IO Reads all coming from svchost.exe. I've used Process Explorer application and it has indicated that the CPU resources are being sucked by wuauclt.exe. This has started happening a couple of days ago, when I performed a Microsoft Update. I hope Microsoft will release an Update which will resolve this issue, ASAP.

Same deal...MS update and svchost runs CPU utilization to 100% - performing a restart, for some reason, svchost drops to "normal". Does anyone have idea why...and when is MS going to correct this?

The solve for this: Turn off Automatic Microsoft updates in the Security Center on your computer.. Suddenly, everything runs smoothly.. Very nice. And check updates at www.microsoft.com instead.

Gratz!

It is a known problem with MS XP, and MS still don't have a fix that actually works.
To try the fix they have and read all about it go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932494
I whish they fix it by now.

Indeed, this is the process that kills my nerves like 10 min. Its svchost.exe -netsvcs aka Windows Automatic Updates. Now disabling may do it, but this is a very important service and you'll need to run it manual from time to time.

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