svchost.exe takes all cpu power from time to time

Well some users report that installing a particular version of Windows Update Client fixes the issue for them. However the version required varies.

Personally I found that although installing a particular version of Windows Update Client improved things (less RAM usage) it still wasn't a complete fix.

The solution for me was to fully remove Windows Updates including various files and folders along with resetting IE and fully removing and reinstalling .NET Framework. Then force install Windows Update Client. The fix is very long and complicated and may not even work the first time around. It could take several attempts.

I'm not confident that I could guide you through the fix.

RE: Your issue - the same as in Post #10 of this thread

There is something you can try although I have not ever tried this myself.

Start> Run

then type services.msc

in the window that opens scroll down to Windows Update Service and stop it.

Run an Elevated Command Prompt

Start - All Programs - Accessories - Right click Command Prompt and choose Run As Administrator.

If Windows is installed on drive C type:

esentutl.exe /k c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\DataStore.edb

This will check integrity.

For help type esentutl.exe /?

You can attempt to defragment and repair DataStore.edb. If problems were detected do a recovery followed by a repair.

Recovery
esentutl.exe /r c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\DataStore.edb

Repair
esentutl.exe /p c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\DataStore.edb

I don't know much about problems with Windows Update after a fresh install. I heard that users resort to a fresh install in order to resolve Windows Update RAM usage issues only to experience the same problem.

Take a look at Usernameissues' post here:

How does one find out the latest version of the Windows Update Client?

Let's see which Windows Update Client you've got:

From an Elevated Command Prompt - type Powershell then press enter and wait for the prompt to appear.

Then type (or copy and paste if you know how to enable quick edit mode in command prompt)

Code:

get-hotfix -id KB 2990214,KB305026,KB3065987,KB3075851,KB 3083324,KB3083710,KB3102810,KB3112343,KB3135445,KB3138612

Press Enter. It should list what's installed.

unko said:

PS: Off topic but do you have a link for a tools that'll scan for all known keyloggers? That'd be great.. Thanks!

The one I use is PowerTool:

However it is pretty advanced and if used incorrectly will screw up your system.

I'd suggest a scan with Zemana AntiMalware free:

https://www.zemana.com/AntiMalwareFree

Or Malwarebytes free:

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/

When Malwarebytes installs it will ask you if you want to update to the free pro trial, update definitions and launch the program. Don't select the Pro trial - just select to update the definitions and launch the program.

Note: I do not currently use Malwarebytes but many other forum members do use it.

unko said:

Code:

30978 pages seen
0 bad checksums
0 correctable checksums
206 uninitialized pages
0 wrong page numbers
0x553a9 highest dbtime (pgno 0x6ca4)

15489 reads performed
968 MB read
3 seconds taken
322 MB/second
3603785 milliseconds used
232 milliseconds per read
562 milliseconds for the slowest read
0 milliseconds for the fastest read

Thanks - nothing wrong with that.

unko said:

Powershell gives me a red error text when i try what you said.

Sorry but I mistakenly left extra spaces in the command line. Here is the corrected one:

Code:

get-hotfix -id KB2990214,KB305026,KB3065987,KB3075851,KB3083324,KB3083710,KB3102810,KB3112343,KB3135445,KB3138612

unko said:

PS: I'm not sure why you're so sure it's WUpdate causing this issue..

Well you confirmed that Windows Update was the issue here:

unko said:

Callender said:

I had the same problem. For me it was a problem with windows updates check reading datastore.edb

Attachment 372453

Then note RAM usage by datastore.edb during an update check after fixing:

Attachment 372455

The fix is not easy.

Ok so i can confirm i have the same issue. You couldn't fix it?

You can disable Windows Update service via services.msc then reboot and test for a day to see if RAM usage becomes normal. If it doesn't - then it's not a Windows Update issue.

unko said:

Fine, I'll try. So the service is active and running even when updates are not being installed/downloaded/seeked? Seems so?

Yes and if you set Windows Update service to disabled and reboot you can test for a day or two to see if it Windows Updates the culprit.

Start> Run

type services.msc

Press Enter.

Right click Windows Update Service > Properties> Startup Type> Disabled. Reboot.