Wsappx is a Windows service process that handles the Microsoft Store. Normally it is always running in the background with minimal system resource utilization. However, when installing, updating, or removing an app from the Microsoft Store, it can have a high CPU and memory utilization.
When you are not directly engaging with the Microsoft Store, the Wsappx process should not be using any of your CPU or memory. If Wsappx is interfering with your device usage by high CPU utilization, we might have a fix for you. Please, continue reading.
What is the Role of Wsappx in Windows?
Traditionally, when you had to install an application or a program into windows, they came with their own individual installer. This changes with the apps installed from the Microsoft store where apps you selected are automatically handled by the store itself. The store handles the installation, updates, and removal of apps by using Wsappx process.
Thus. like mentioned above already, Wsappx is the service process in Windows that handles the Microsoft Store. To be more accurate, it populates two sub-processes –Client License Service (ClipSVC), which handles licensing and piracy protection for the store apps, andAppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC),which deploys apps.
When these two sub-processes are active and running, you will see Wsappx process usage increase in the task manager. If either of these sub-processes are disabled, apps will not “behave correctly,” according to Microsoft.
How to Fix Wsappx High CPU Usage?
Wsappxhigh CPU usagecan be caused because of a few different reasons. Below, we present to you some of the different ideas that you can try as a fix of Wsappx high CPU usage.
Run a Virus Scan
If the Wsappx process has a high CPU utilization even when you are not engaging with the Microsoft store, the process may have been hijacked by a virus or malware. You can run ananti-virus scanto ensure this is not the case or to fix it if it is indeed the case.
Uninstall a Recently Installed App
Sometimes the last application that you installed could be the culprit. To check if this is the case, try uninstalling that app.
Update Windows
Nobody knows why (no guarantee that this is a 100% accurate statement), but sometimesupdating Windowscan magically fix problems that you are having with … Windows. Wsappx is, indeed, part of Windows so trying Windows update is a worthwhile venture.
Check If Any Driver Needs Updating
Sometimes, Windows keeps attempting a driver update in the background, which can cause Wsappx to have a high CPU utilization. Although there is no direct relation between driver update and Wsappx, some users have found that manuallyupdating device driverscan solve the problem. Thus, check if any drivers need update and manually update the driver yourself.
Disable Windows Store
If your CPU usage is skyrocketing due to Wsappx process, you can try disabling the Microsoft Store. There are two methods of going about doing this. You could disable the store from the Local Group Policy Editor.
Disable Automatic Store App Updates
If Microsoft Store is set to update apps automatically, this can sometimes cause Wsappx process to load and utilize resources, including the CPU. If at the time, you are using aCPU-intensive application,your machine could stutter or lag. Therefore, disable automatic store app updates to avoid this issue.
This disables automatic app updates in the future and you will have to check and manually apply any app updates periodically. You can do so by going toSettings>Downloads and updates, and clicking onGet updates.
Disable Superfetch (ServiceHost: SysMain)
Superfetch is a feature of Windows that runs in the background and analyses RAM usage patterns of various applications. It learns what apps you often run then, over time, it marks these apps as “frequently used.” The point of superfetch is that once apps are marked as frequently used, they are loaded into unused portions of the memory quietly before the user has launched them, thus shortening the loading time significantly and giving the user a snappy experience.
In recent Windows versions, superfetch appears in theTask Manageras “ServiceHost: SysMain.” Some users have found that disabling superfetch reduced Wsappx CPU usage. You could also try and see if this helps with your problem. Please follow the steps below to disable Superfetch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wsappx a Virus?
No, Wsappx is not a virus. It is a genuine, honest-to-god, hardworking Windows Service process. As is the case with other process, it is, however, possible for Wsappx process to be hijacked by a virus or a malware.
You can end the process from the Task Manager.
Is Wsappx Necessary?
Since Wsappx managed the Microsoft Store, it is essential for you to install, update, and remove any applications from the store. If it’s bothering you with constant high CPU and disk usages, you can either disable automatic apps update, or uninstall rarely used applications.
How Do I Turn Off Appx?
If you turn off AppXSvc, store applications will not be deployed and may not function properly. However, if you still want to go ahead and disable AppXSvc, you will need to edit the registry. Here’s how you’d do it:
If you want to re-enable AppXSvc, change this value back to 3.
