High RAM usage on Shell Infrastructure Host (ShellHost.exe)

Question

Hey everyone,

So I did a clean install of Windows 11 (winver below) and ShellHost.exe has been utilizing 600MB of RAM constantly.

I've explored several help threads regarding the Shell Infrastructure Host's high CPU usage but haven't found solutions for its elevated RAM usage. I have tried various fixes like resetting the Photos app and running sfc and DISM commands (among other solutions I've come across for the high CPU usage), but the issue persists.

Does anyone know why this is happening and if there's a solution? This has never happened before I clean-installed this same Windows 11 version.

***Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Performance and system failures***

Answer 1

Hi Dauntlxss,

Thank you for getting back to us.

Sorry for the late reply, we are still working on other threads.

We have voted for you.

Best Regards,

Kyo - MSFT | Microsoft Community Technical Support

Answer 2

Hi Dauntlxss,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Due to the forward-looking nature of the Windows Insider Program, systems released through this channel cannot be guaranteed to be stable.

Shell Experience may be associated with some file/data caching/indexing related components or processes.

The system may experience some issues with processing some data.

• Shell Experience overview - Windows Client | Microsoft Learn
• Remote Shell Infrastructure Improvements - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

In similar cases on other forums, some community members speculated that the problem may be related to the Photos application.

In their device environments, resetting the Photos app or tweaking the default app seems to have made some changes to the system.

• Repair apps and programs in Windows - Microsoft Support
• Change default programs in Windows - Microsoft Support

If you are experiencing this phenomenon even after running your device for a longer period of time (for example, dozens of hours or days), it may be a situation that worth submitting to the product team for further analysis.

The Answers community is not a community where the product team is active, and the Feedback Hub is a channel that is more likely to be noticed by the product team.

If possible, you can submit your problem through the Feedback Hub (if convenient, please provide as much detail as possible, including pictures, repro videos, etc.).  

Feel free to share the feedback link in this forum, so that other users with similar issues, including me, can vote for your feedback, the more votes the more likely to get the attention of the development team.

If I misunderstand your situation, feel free to correct me and share the information.

Thanks for your patience and cooperation.

Best Regards,

Kyo - MSFT | Microsoft Community Technical Support

Answer 3

Hi Kyo,

I appreciate the insight. You understood my situation perfectly. I've tried those common fixes, but it didn't change anything. Yes - I've experienced this phenomenon for a prolonged period.

I've gone ahead and submitted the problem to the feedback hub here**.**Thank you again for your insight and assistance!