Windows update using 50% of CPU-Win7 x64

[Go Vols]

Fresh install on new drive,updating went fine until SP1 installed.

Now under one instance of svchost.exe, wuauserv/windows update uses 50% of CPU whether I am trying to update or not,but stays stuck on searching for updates when I try.

Have tried numerous fixes,mostly other windows updates using a standalone installer.Already had most installed,but got a couple to install,none fixed it and get error 0x8024001e on most tried since with standalone installer.

I can turn it off and all is good,but it has to run correctly when needed to.

Lil' help plz.

[steve2470]

1. you might want to go to the official Microsoft forums to ask about this, I have no clue, sorry

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7?sort=lastreplydate&dir=desc&tab=threads&status=all&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=all&tm=1470516539285

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. I had this going on

I opened the services list as an admin and disabled the service.

I periodically enable the service and download/update, then disable it again.

[Go Vols]

3. Its not the SP1 install

Its the "Windows Update" update that comes immediately after you install SP1.Tired of fooling with it after a fresh install again today and just found this out.It just runs and runs to no end trying to update.

:/

[ucrdem]

4. next time you install from scratch you can skip the whole update business

by using an offline update generator. WSUS is the one I've used for XP and 7. Basically you download the generator, tell it which Windows version you're updating, and then let it retrieve and install the updates, including SPs. WSUS also generates Office updates if you have it installed.

The steps are explained in more details in section 2 of this article which also has the WSUS links: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/offline-windows-update/

[Go Vols]

5. Should of checked here last nite

Thats what I ended up doing,or am doing,updating for an hour or more now.

Edit: Thought it was close to finishing,update 1 of 154 just came up.

:/

[ucrdem]

6. Yeah it can be pokey.

Hope it does the job. On the bright side, you'll be able to write Windows Journal documents in Azerbaijan . . .

[Go Vols]

7. Worked out pretty well

Windows update is working pretty good now,get an error on a couple but got prolly 80 or so to update.Still gonna run WSUS monthly to make sure.

[glenmarth]

8. svchost

Try clearing event viewer logs
sol 3. http://appuals.com/high-cpu-usage-by-svchost-exe-netsvcs/

[Egnever]

9. Sound like you got it fixed

For future reference there is a patch for that issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810

That said fresh installs of 7 with sp1 have been problematic for me for quite some time now especially on machines that are connected wirelessly.

Almost every single install I have done lately has had this problem.

[Go Vols]

11. As many ways as I phrased my search terms

I can't believe I never found that one.Appreciate it,bookmarked for future reference.

:/

[tonytranupg]

12. need help

Last edited Tue Feb 14, 2017, 12:56 AM - Edit history (1)

Fresh install on new drive,updating went fine until SP1 installed.

Now under one instance of svchost.exe (netsvcs), wuauserv/windows update uses 50% of CPU whether I am trying to update or not,but stays stuck on searching for updates when I try.

Have tried numerous fixes,mostly other windows updates using a standalone installer.Already had most installed,but got a couple to install,none fixed it and get error 0x8024001e on most tried since with standalone installer.

I can turn it off and all is good,but it has to run correctly when needed to.

Lil' help plz.

Most of methods I found don't help me to resolve this high CPU usage issue. Any other solutions for me?

[Cooley Hurd]

13. Have you rolled it back to pre-SP1 yet?

If you're updating via Windows store, SP1 via that method has given others similar, if not the same issues. Here's a web page with some suggestions:

http://www.fixerrs.com/2016/09/Error-code-0x8024001e.html

Hope this helps and welcome to DU!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

14. For future reference...

Last edited Sat Dec 2, 2017, 09:31 AM - Edit history (1)

The latest official Windows 7 ISOs (with SP1-U aka Media Refresh) comes with a very old Windows Update client which results in an infinite long scan issue/high CPU usage with Windows Update after fresh installation.

Solution: Manually install the hotfixes required for updating WU client:

Windows Update is taking an unusually long time to scan and install updates


Install KB3020369 “April 2015 Servicing Stack update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2” first.

Install KB3172605 “July 2016 Update Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1”.
You will be asked to restart the computer during the installation of KB3172605.