Fix High CPU usage due to SearchProtocolHost.

exe in
Windows 10
thegeekpage.com/fix-high-cpu-usage-due-to-searchprotocolhost-exe-in-windows-10

karan

High CPU usage slows down the system. Mostly, the reason behind high CPU usage is a
process which occupies a lot of system resources. One such case is when the process
SearchProtocolHost.exe ( microsoft windows search indexer ) is causing high CPU
usage.

High CPU usage due to SearchProtocolHost.exe

The SearchProtocolHost.exe is the process name for the Windows Search Indexer. It
helps keep a record of all files on the system to make the search process better.

Cause

The cause behind the SearchProtocolHost.exe process causing high CPU usage is when
the Indexer is unable to find certain files on the system. Thus, it pushes the process hard
because of which it utilizes a lot of system resources.

Preliminary steps
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1] Update Windows: When we update Windows, it would update the lists in the Indexer
from the network, just in case any newly launched program was missed. Here’s the
procedure to update Windows.

2] Uninstall any recently installed suspicious software.

3] Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter. Settings >> Updates and Security
>> Troubleshoot and select the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

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Thereafter, proceed with the following solutions:

Solution 1] Change Indexing options

1] Search for Indexing options in the Windows search bar and open the option.

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2] Click on Modify. It will show the list of Indexed locations.

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3] Select Show all locations. It would need Administrator permissions.

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4] Uncheck the larger locations (eg. C: if it is your system drive, etc.).

5] Click on OK to save the settings.

6] Restart your system.

Check if it helps ease the Disk utilization.

Solution 2] Run an SFC scan

An SFC scan helps identify missing files and replaces them if necessary. Here’s the
procedure for an SFC scan.

Solution 3] Disable Windows search

While we all know how important Windows search is, but if we are unable to use the
system because of the process, we would have to disable Windows search and use
alternate options to find locations.

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1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command services.msc.
Press Enter to open the Service Manager window.

2] Locate the Windows Search

process. Right-click on it and
select Properties.

3] Set the Startup type as

disable and click on Stop to stop
the process.

4] Click on Apply and them on OK to save the settings.

5] Restart the system and check if it helps resolve the issue.

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