Service Host Superfetch: How to Fix High CPU Usage Problem

A program that has been a part of Windows Vista and its successor, known as service host SuperFetch is an important component. This technology helps with the smooth functioning of the operating system.

With the Service Host Superfetch technology, the Windows operating system is able to manage its applications effectively.

In addition, this technology helps the operating system to manage Windows components and common tasks seamlessly. This is done via ram reading.

Meaning the service host SuperFetch reads data from the random access memory rather than storing it on the hard drive.

Since the reading of data is quick from the ram, rather than a hard disk, the applications open with a snap.

So to summarise, a service host SuperFetch does the following job:

1. Helps in reducing the boot time
2. Helps with loading common application quickly
3. Memorize the usage pattern of the user by the technology automatically.

Why does service host SuperFetch report high CPU usage?

SuperFetch can be termed as drive catch.  The technology copies all the commonly used files by the user in the RAM.

This way the frequently used programs/applications can be opened quickly in the operating system.

The only challenge it faces is the lack of the latest hardware. Thus if the operating system does not have the latest hardware, then the CPU can report high disk usage.

Should a SuperFetch be disabled?

As discussed earlier, SuperFetch stores all the commonly used applications in the RAM.

When the PC is used for a longer period of time, the RAM starts to get loaded and it causes high CPU usage, as clearing out the memory becomes a problem.

A lot of windows users have reported that SuperFetch has been clogging up their RAM up to 95%.

This problem was first reported by Windows 8 users and has been stuck ever since.

Also see: How to get Help with file explorer in windows 10

Many tech enthusiasts say SuperFetch is not the root cause of the problem. The main problem lies in the leakage of memory in the non-paged pool.

Now Microsoft has been developing this application so that applications open faster in the operating system, but in time it becomes an alarming problem.

How to fix high CPU usage by SuperFetch?

The first and foremost thing to do is repair corrupted files.

You can do it manually if you are tech-savvy or else there are a lot of applications on the internet that will find and repair the corrupted files.

These types of applications scan the whole PC to find the files that are causing the problem and then fix them.

Also see: How to disable fast user switching in Windows 10

You need to make sure that you are using a reliable application as most of them which are available on the internet for free may damage your PC instead of fixing it.

So you need to be very cautious before using such type of file repairing tool. Once you are done with the repair of the corrupted files, try the below solutions to resolve the high CPU usage problem.

Solution 1: Disable Service host SuperFetch from Services

Try this method and hopefully it will resolve the problem.

Step 1: Open your operating system and then press the Windows + R Keys simultaneously once you have pressed that there you will get an option known as “Run“.

Step 2:  Type services.msc and press Enter.

Step 3: A new dialogue box will open where you will see the list of services. Search for the Service name “Superfetch” in the list of services.

All the services are listed in alphabetical order, you can either scroll through download to see the services starting with the letter “S” or simply hit the “S” key on the keyboard.

Step 4: Now double tap on the SuperFetch and it will open its properties/settings.

Step 5:  Under Superfetch Properties, you’ll see the service is on. Head over to “Service Status” and it should be marked as  “Running” which shows Superfetch is currently active and we need to stop it. You can stop the service by hitting the “Stop” button.

Step 6: Also, change the “Startup type” for SuperFetch to disabled instead of “Automatic“. Once you have done these two settings click “Apply” and “OK” at the bottom.

Step 7: Once you have successfully completed step 6, restart the PC, to see if the changes have been applied.

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Solution 2: Disable Superfetch from Windows Registry

Although the above solution is super simple and easy to follow. We have made it even simpler by explaining it with screenshots.

Even if you face any problem with the first solution, try this method.

In this method, we will explain how to disable Superfetch from Windows Registry.

Step 1: Open your PC and press Windows + R key simultaneously.

Step 2:  It will open the “Run” dialogue box.

These two steps are the same as the first method we explained above. You can also open the “Run” dialogue box by typing in the Cortana search box.

Step 3:  In the “Run” option, type in Regedit and then press enter.

Step 4: It will open the Registry Editor that looks similar to the below screenshot.

Step 5: In the registry editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > MemoryManagement > PrefetchParameters

Step 6: Double-click on “DisableSuperfetch“, it will open a small dialogue box as shown in the below screenshot. (in the below screenshot it is already disabled, that is why you see “EnableSuperfetch“). Change the “Value Data” from 1=> 0 in order to disable superfetch.

In case you do not find “DisableSuperfetch” value, you can create one on your own as well. Here is how you can do it.

1. Right-click on “PrefetchParameter” then to “New” and then select “DWARD (32-bit) Value“
2. Enter value “0” to disable.
3. Hit “ok” and you are done!.

Step 7:  Once step 8 is completed, click on the OK button. Close the registry editor.

Step 8: Restart the PC to know if all the changes have been applied.

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Solution 3: Disable Superfetch from the Command prompt

In this method, we will disable superfetch services from the command prompt.

It is a little difficult but if you follow all the steps, it shouldn’t be a problem. We have explained the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Go to the Cortana Search bar and type “cmd”. It will show “Command Prompt” in the search results.

Step 2: Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator“.

Step 3: To disable superfetch type “net.exe stop superfetch” and press enter.

Step 4: Give it some time to complete the process. When the process is completed, you’ll see a message confirming the same. See the below image.

Step 5: You also have to make sure it doesn’t get started on the next start. In order to do that type “sc config sysmain start=disable“

Step 6:  Restart the system to check if all the changes are made.

Solution 4: Kill superfetch services from the Task manager

Please note that killing the superfetch service can be done by Task Manager as well but it will be temporary. Though it will fix the high CPU usage problem.

If the problem is not fixed that, try to download pending Windows updates.

Make sure you are connected with a high-speed and reliable Wi-Fi connection before downloading the updates.

Here is how to kill superfetch services from Task Manager.

Step 1: In order to do this, first launch the Task Manager.

Step 2: Task manager can be launched by pressing Control + Shift + Delete simultaneously.

Step 3:  Then go to the Task Manager, and click on “More details“.

Step 4: Once you click on more details, the computer will show you all the processes running on your PC.

Step 5:  Look for the Service host local system.  Select this service and press End Task.

Step 6: After completing step 5, you will be prompted to save the unsaved data as you might have to restart the PC.

Step 7:  Restart the computer if needed and check if the issue has been solved

Other Solutions to fix high CPU usage problem

Hardware optimization

If you are a Windows OS user and have a problem with your PC, there could be a hardware issue as well. The management of the hard disk is very important.

There are some simple steps to optimize your PC and you can do it with ease.

There are various videos on the internet that helps you optimize the hardware of your PC.

Update Drivers

Most windows users, don’t even bother to update the drivers that may cause a problem.

This is a big mistake. Updating the driver regularly can stop the high CPU usage problem.

In order to update the drivers, open the control panel and go to Device Manager.  Click on the Device Manager and tap on the option which says update.

Now scroll down and click on the driver, which you want to update and update.

Please note, that you need to be connected to the Wi-Fi to run this process smoothly.

Shut the computer and restart the process to see, once the changes are applied.

Conclusion

All the above methods, that are stated above are useful if you are having a high CPU problem. We have tested these solutions on different PCs and they are working.

In addition to these methods, disabling some of the startup programs can also give you an added boost to solve your high CPU problem.

Open the Task Manager and then click on the Taskbar. Click on the option which says “sys start up” and you will be able to see the number of programs that run on startup.

Just right-click on the program/app that you don’t want running on startup and disable it. This is a quick solution to solve your high CPU problem.