How to fix memory leak: Svchost.exe?

Question

I had a virus on my computer, after fixing it and getting my desktop back in order I found that my computer would suddenly lag and seemed to be constantly loading nothing. After several virus checks that came up with nothing, I pulled up task manager and found Svchost.exe loading up almost 400,000k of memory. So I ended it, and went to youtube. Suddenly I found that my speakers weren't working but my computer said they were fine. Confused, I rebooted and before Svchost could overload again, my speaker worked just fine. Then stopped once more after I ended Svchost. Not only that but Svchost would come back up again and overload.

I've looked up several memory leak fixes for Svchost, including the Microsoft update. Every one of them that I have tried, including disabling automatic updates, hasn't fixed my issue. I'm at a loss here, has anyone had this problem and/or know how to fix it? I can't load up a webpage without it crashing on me. Forget even watching a video or listening to music.

Answer 1

SVCHOST.exe is not just one program, it is a collection of different programs and they all have a different function. (Microsoft's cruel joke on the computing world?) I've come across this a couple of times, and played with it for days on end. The ultimate solution was to save all the data by installing the HD in another computer and extracting it, then reformat and reload the HD. This always works, but it is time consuming and a royal pain in the butt.

Answer 2

Svchost Memory Leak

Answer 3

The best way is to download Ccleaner here http://bitly.com/UrALrK



Or you can go on Windows operating system locate the command prompt and go there to do the following:

Create a Recovery file of system and date it today.



Then begin by;

delete the 'Temp' folders..they have hidden subfolders so you need to set the attributes in order to bypass this. For each subfolder delete all cookies and rubbish left behnd after install-uninstalled programs. Do a 'dir' command to check your progress. Make sure the 'Temp' file is empty.



goto c:\windows\prefetch and delete everything in there..no exceptions



goto c:\windows folder and delete all the '$' files that have been installed by updates. They can all be succesfully deleted and just take up disk space.



Locate the Internet Temporary Files..Check to see how high the saving level is..some have it set at 30 days..but that stores faaaar tooo much data..though it slows down the system overal. Keep this to a minimum..suggest 2 or 5 at most.



Delete all 'cookies' all those you don't need.



Locate the windows directory and go through the folders you know and those you don't need. Check this once a week at least. Some programs will install under XP as NT and older systems where there is no check of systems weight.



Check to see that system files have not changed since last booting. Things like .ini files or .bat are important items.





Check for 'Hidden Directories' all over the disk...do this at the command prompt:



dir *.* /ah wil show these hidden directories



Check the 'dir' command for all parameters

Answer 4

Svchost is a group of a crapload of programs, but for some reason, microsoft put the tag on it as 1 object, so it could be any of those. I've seen viruses get past even high rated software. Malware bytes is good for getting rid of them, but like the dueds on the comercial say, its perminant damage, well, for the OS. Got a computer witha few viruses on it. killed them, some things wouldn't work, tried everything, nothing. Run Malware bytes, and if it doesn't work, refresh the opperating system after backing it up. (btw, cruel joke, that was funny :P)

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How to fix memory leak: Svchost.exe?

I had a virus on my computer, after fixing it and getting my desktop back in order I found that my computer would suddenly lag and seemed to be constantly loading nothing. After several virus checks that came up with nothing, I pulled up task manager and found Svchost.exe loading up almost 400,000k...

Answer 6

http://www.technibble.com/how-to-fix-svchost-using-100-cpu-memory-leak/ <-- If that fix doesn't work, then I recommend you running a system scan with malware bytes and avira.



You could also try running msconfig and see what programs are booting up on start up.

Answer 7

delete whatever you allocate :). Clean your own mess or Windows will clean it up once your process is killed a restart is not required.