Taskhostw.exe CPU usage 100% slowing everything down

Question

I hope someone is able to help as I have spent the entire weekend driving myself insane trying to fix this.

My laptop started running slow and freezing. I use it for writing and emails, no gaming or anything exciting.

It turns out my CPU usage is at 100% due to taskhostw.exe.

I have tried everything suggested online. The SFC scan, system restore etc. I tried seeing if I could close things in task manager but there are 90 processes running and I have no idea what is was. None seem to be using CPU according to that though. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

Answer 1

Good Day Tracey-annePlater,

I appreciate your time getting back to this thread, If the issue persists, perform Repair Upgrade, it will repair and replace any corrupted system files.

Step 1: Download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Click “Download Tool Now”

Step 2: Run MediaCreationTool.exe.

Step 3: Choose "Upgrade this PC now".

Step 4: Select "Keep personal files and apps".

Step 5: Let it install

Restart once done and check.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carlo T.

Answer 2

Hi there, thank you for the reply. Unfortunately I have done those things and I have even performed a full factory reset on the laptop. And the CPU usage is still at 100%

Answer 3

Good Day Tracey,

My name is Carlo, I am also using Windows 11 and a community member like you.

let us work together to sort this out.

Try to scan your computer using the free version of Malwarebytes scanner to check if there are Malware or rootkits running in your system.

Here's the link to download.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/thank...

Once downloaded and installed open the app and check for infection.

Restart your computer using cleanboot and check the usage in the task manager.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...

I hope the information above helps. Please let me know how it goes.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carlo T.

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