svchost.exe running at 100% CPU on Boot - How can I get rid of it for free?

Question

Firstly, yes, I know svchost.exe is needed and I also have a few of them running at once, but this one I believe is malware and is running at 100%CPU.

I have searched for ages, including on yahoo answers for a sure way to get rid of it, but I'm having no luck.

I have run spybot S&D but it didn't find it.

I don't have anti-virus as I can't find a decent free one.

If I simply end the process then some things don't function correctly i.e. sound devices.

Is there a free program to get rid of it? if so, where can I find it?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I actually have just had this on a couple of computers and this might be your problem. Normally I set Windows Update to download, but not install, figuring that it sitting with an icon asking to install wouldn't take up much resources. Well on the last update that Microsoft sent out I started to notice that my machines where running slower, for what seemed like no reason and I saw that svhost.exe was burning the time.



I killed it will the task manager, but of course in time it came back. Finally I was just a the point where I figured I would do the update (not connecting the two).



Well the update took an extremely long time to update, but finally it did, and guess what the problems all went away. I maintain machines at work and have seen this on a few, and have seen this on both my machine and my wife's (did my wife's tonight). So the big virus you are looking for is probably Microsoft Update.

Answer 2

Hi,

Its usually down to windows self updates that you get svchost running at 100%, try disabling auto updates and see if that helps, then it should run very low, its a very common problem with windows xp. Then keep the task manager open and run windows update manually and watch the svchost jump back upto 100%. Or if disabling it didn't help do the second step and see if another instance of svchost takes over and runs at 100% if that's the case you have probably got a malware or virus problem. Please let me know how you get on. The best free anti virus is AVG Free and can be downloaded here : http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5

also there is a free anti spyware on the same site you could try. Failing that wither Spyware doctor or Xsoft are very good programs. If you need any help just holla !!!!!



Cheers



Mark

Answer 3

It might not be malware, especially if Spybot S&D didn't find anything. Try AVG anti spyware, update and then run it.

All the following programs are free for home use;



You need to install one firewall.The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.

http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo firewall.



You need to install one anti virus;

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or

http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus



http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Main/view/Download-Free-Products.html - Bitdefender 8 doesn't run in the background and can be used as a second back up anti virus.

You need all these anti spyware programs;

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5 - AVG anti spyware

http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com

Plus;

http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware



If it does find anything then switch off system restore and run it in safe mode or it won't be able to remove it.

Answer 4

LOL ok Caps lock off, I believe final placed up there. Now, approximately your CPU utilization. first of all, the cpu techniques courses. So, regardless of if it quite is working and your device isn't melting or has crashed then there are purposes working. many times this means corrupted apps, corrupted registry records, a plague or another un-favourite condition. Reboot your laptop in secure MODE (by making use of pressing F8 key earlier living house windows starts up, yet after the BIOS exhibit flashes, of direction). After booting up, verify CPU back. I wager you hit upon it merely could be universal back. Now you merely ought to make certain which utility it quite is "automobile beginning" or which provider(s) is "automobile working" it quite is inflicting the quite cpu technique dropping. then you quite are all fixed. you ought to receive and burn a duplicate of a Linux stay CD (e.g. ubuntu or pink hat or different favourite linux distro) and boot that cd as much as see how your laptop purposes. word: stay CD's perform merely off the cd, should not be put in (except u want to later) and don't influence your living house windows drives (except you mount them on purpose) so is many times merely high quality to apply as a try element to make certain if the issue is your laptop or merely your os misbehaving. If cpu utilization merely is extreme in living house windows and not extreme in linux then you quite understand our living house windows is jacked or you have a plague. sparkling your device at that element or merely reload your living house windows and attempt back.

Answer 5

I would suggest getting Ad-Aware (it frequently spots malware that spybot does not) and AVG Free Edition (which is a good and free virus scanner).



Simply run them both and sort out the malware AND anything else hidden on your computer. I have provided the links to both of them.



http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5 - AVG Virusscanner



http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

Answer 6

service host is innocent until proved guilty. It is an essential process and should not be terminated. Even if it is running at 100% CPU you should wait until it finishes. It is likely that a Windows update clinet process is calling it:



wuaclt.exe



Be patient, it will finish when it is done updating.

Answer 7

i see you are already enlighten with a situation. imho you shouldn't delete it yourself, cos you'll never now which one (good or bad) files you remove. i suggest to scan your computer with anti-spyware, it should pick the infection up. if spybot can't locate it, update spybot or try another anti-spyware.

Answer 8

If you can't find a decent free anti-virus, then you'll have to fork out for it. Either way, you should definitely use one.