We often hear that the Host Process for Windows Tasks is consuming all resources of the computer. Usually, you open up the Windows Task Manager every time your system lags to check if something is wrong or not. While doing so, you must have noticed a couple of entries named “Host Process for Windows Tasks.”
Now, some people might panic upon seeing multiple entries for the same process, thinking it to be a virus or an error. If you don’t know what this “Host Process for Windows Tasks” or “Service Host” means, then this article will help you out.
Also, we’ll give you tips on what to do if the Host Process has crashed or is consuming an unusually high amount of resources.
What is Meant by the Windows Host Process And Why Are There So Many in Task Manager?
Windows has several core processes running in the background to host one or multiple of its services and the host process is one such core process. To understand what the Host Process is and why there could be a lot of entries of the same in the Task Manager, you need to know a few things about Windows OS:
First, we have the processes that are loaded from Executable files. These can also be seen in the Task Manager and are complete on their own.
Next, we have the processes written in DLL files that cannot exist on their own in the Task Manager list. However, these are easy to maintain and update and that is why Microsoft uses them so much.
The DLL files need a host process for their execution and one to multiple such DLL processes can be attached to a single entry of the Host Process.
So, to sum up, the Host Process for Windows (that you see as taskhost in Windows) is actually a label for other DLL processes. And if you see a lot of entries of the Host Process, it means that several programs are running on your computer currently.
Each Host Process for Windows on your list of tasks is a label for every DLL-based file or a group of DLL-based services loaded into your OS.
However, the Task Manager does not provide any way to check exactly what these services attached to every Host Process are. Tools like Process Explorer can help you see the exact services attached to a particular Host Process entry.
Why Does It Use So Many Resources at Windows Startup?
The CPU and memory, used by every entry of the Host Process for Windows, depends on the type of service it is attached to. As usual, every service utilizes all the resources it needs for its job and then goes back to a baseline level of activity.
But, if it comes to your attention that any single entry of Host Process uses a lot of resources than what is normal, then you need to track down what service is attached to the same (via Process Explorer or other such software). And then, troubleshoot this service.
Another thing to keep in mind is that after startup, all the entries of Host Process consume more CPU than they normally should. This isn’t anything you should be worried about because these can settle down real quick.
What happens is that after starting, the Host Process for Windows Tasks makes a list of all the DLL files that are needed to load. Then, it loads all those files and so, a considerable amount of CPU is consumed during that time.
Could This Process Be a Virus?
Host process is one of the core processes of Microsoft Windows OS. Usually, it is not a virus, but there is a possibility that a virus may be disguised as your Windows Tasks host process. Don’t worry, you can check if it is a virus or not. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open your computer’s Task Manager
Step 2. A list showing all the current tasks will be shown in the Task Manager window. Right-click on the “Host Process” option for Windows Tasks from the list.
Step 3. If you find the location of the file to be the System32 folder with a name like “taskhostw.exe” or “taskhost.exe”, then it is a genuine host process. Else, if you find it located in some other folder, then it might be a virus.
In this case, you should perform a security scan ASAP. Else, you can right-click on the entry in the task manager list, then click on “Go to Services.” Then right-click on the service and choose. “Stop”.
Can I Disable the Host Process for Windows Tasks?
It is not recommended to disable, stop, or remove the Host Process for Windows. These are essential to load the DLL-based files onto the system and so, disabling the host process might cause your system to crash.
Hence, you can’t end Host Processes but if you notice that the host process is taking a lot of resources, then you can individually check out the process responsible and remove it.
How to fix the “Host Process for Windows Tasks has stopped working” error
If a host process for Windows Tasks has stopped working message pops up, then you should try out the following troubleshooting methods:
- Repair broken BITS files
Step 1. Press the Windows and R keys together to open the Run utility.
Step 2. Type in the following:
Programdata\Microsoft\network\downloaderStep 3. Hit enter and click on “Continue” if prompted.
Step 4. The File Explorer will open up with the “Downloader” folder. Delete all the files that begin with qmgr
Step 5. Now, update your Windows OS from Settings->Update & Security->Windows Update.
2. Via the System File Checker
Step 1. Open the command prompt from the search icon next to the Start menu.
Step 2. Type in the command: sfc/scannow and then press Enter.
Step 3. The SFC scan will scan your System and repair all the corrupt files. This might take a long time.
Step 4. Once done, restart your device.
3. Run the DISM command
Step 1. Open the command prompt and type in the given commands:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 2. Press Enter after each command and then, once the commands finish execution, restart your computer.
4. Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
Step 1. Open the run utility by pressing the Windows and R keys together. Type in mdsched.exe
Step 2. Click on “Restart now and check for problems” to start a memory scan. Then, click on “Check for problems next time I start my computer”
Step 3. After a restart, the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will check for issues.
Step 4. Once the memory scan is done, you will be able to view all the issues found.
5. By Cleaning Your Registry and Computer With CCleaner
Step 1. Download and install CCleaner from its official website.
Step 2. Now, you can click on “Run Cleaner” to start cleaning your system and then choose “Registry”
Step 3. Click on “Scan for Issues” and then, after a while on “Fix selected issues”
Step 4. Finally, restart your system.
How to fix the Host Process for Windows Tasks rundll32 high CPU, RAM, or Disk usage
- Running a script in the PowerShell
Step 1. Right-click on your Desktop (in the empty area) and click on “New” followed by “Text document.”
Step 2. Open the new text file and paste the given script:
Get-ScheduledJob | ? Name -eq “Kill SettingSyncHost” | Unregister-ScheduledJob
Register-ScheduledJob -Name “Kill SettingSyncHost” -RunNow -RunEvery “00:05:00” -Credential (Get-Credential) -ScheduledJobOption (New-ScheduledJobOption -StartIfOnBattery -ContinueIfGoingOnBattery) -ScriptBlock {
Get-Process | ?{ $_.Name -eq “SettingSyncHost” -and $_.StartTime -lt ([System.DateTime]::Now).AddMinutes(-5) } | Stop-Process -Force
}Step 3. Click on “File” from the header menu and then on “Save As” to save the text file.
Step 4. Make sure that you change the file type to “All files” while saving.
Step 5. Also, remove the “.txt” extension and rename the file to “CPU Fix.ps1” without any quotes.
Step 6. Right-click on the file and click on “Run with PowerShell”
Step 7. Remember to repeat the previous step every time your computer restarts to make sure that the process does not hog your resources.
2. Perform An Antivirus Scan of Your Computer
It is also possible that a virus has taken over your computer’s registers and is disguising itself as a Host Process consuming a lot of resources. In this case, immediately perform a full system scan with whichever antivirus software is installed on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Host Process for Windows Services a virus?
No, the host process is not a virus. It is responsible for running DLL-based services but a virus might disguise itself as the host process. In such a case, inspect the individual process via Process Explorer.
Can I disable Windows Host Process Rundll32?
No, disabling Windows Host Process is not possible. It is responsible for loading important DLL files into the system and ending it might result in a system crash.
How do I fix Windows Host Process?
There are several ways to fix various errors related to the Windows host process. Please find the same in the above article.