The SysMain Service Host , formerly known as Superfetch , is a Windows service that aims to optimize system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. However, this service can sometimes cause high CPU or disk usage issues , leading to computer slowdowns, freezes, or overheating. In this article, we will tell you how to fix this problem and restore your PC to normal operation.
What causes the SysMain service host high CPU or disk usage issue?
There are several possible causes that can cause high CPU or disk usage by the SysMain service host , such as:
- Driver or software incompatibility
- File system or registry corruption
- Malware or virus
- Incorrect configuration of the SysMain service
- An Windows update
How to check if the SysMain service host is responsible for the high CPU or disk usage issue?
To check if the SysMain service host is responsible for the high CPU or disk usage issue, you can follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del keys and clicking Task Manager.
- On the Processes tab, sort processes by CPU or disk usage by clicking the corresponding columns.
- Find the process named Service Host: SysMain and check its CPU or disk usage percentage. If this percentage is abnormally high (greater than 50%), there is a good chance that this process is the cause of the problem.
How to fix high CPU or disk usage by SysMain service host?
There are several possible solutions to resolve the SysMain service host high CPU or disk usage issue , depending on the cause of the problem. Here are some of the most common methods:
Method 1: Restart the computer
The first thing to do is to restart your computer, which can sometimes resolve temporary issues with the SysMain service. To restart your computer , click the Start button, then the Power button and choose Restart.
Method 2: Use SFC Scan
SFC (System File Checker) scan is a Windows built-in tool that helps check and repair damaged or missing system files. To use this tool, follow these steps:
- Open a command prompt as administrator by pressing Windows key + X and choosing Command Prompt (admin) or Windows PowerShell (admin).
- Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- Wait for the scan to complete (this may take several minutes) and follow the on-screen instructions if any errors are found.
Method 3: Disable Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is Windows service that allows you to transfer files using unused bandwidth. This service can sometimes conflict with the SysMain service and cause high CPU or disk usage. To disable this service, follow these steps:
- Start menu and type services.msc in the search bar, then click OK .
- Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service in the list, then right-click it and choose Properties .
- On the General tab, click the Shutdown button, and then set the Startup type to Disabled. Click OK to save the changes.
Method 4: Scan for malware and viruses
It is possible that your computer is infected with malware or a virus that uses the SysMain service to consume system resources. To detect and remove these threats, you must use reliable and up-to-date antivirus software. Windows built-in antivirus , Windows Defender , or other antivirus software of your choice. To use Windows Defender, follow these steps:
- Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar, then click Windows Security .
- Click Virus & Threat Protection, then click Scan Options.
- Choose a scan option (for example, Full Scan) and click Scan Now.
- Wait for the scan to complete and follow the on-screen instructions if any threats are detected.
Method 5: Disable Host Service: SysMain Service via Service Manager
If none of the previous methods work, you can try to completely disable the Host Service: SysMain Service via Service Manager . This should stop the high CPU or disk usage issue, but it may also affect your system performance. To disable this service , follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and type services.msc in the search bar, then click OK.
- Find the SysMain or SuperFetch service ( depending on which version of Windows you are using ) in the list, then right-click it and choose Properties .
- On the General tab, click the Shutdown button, and then set the Startup type to Disabled . Click OK to save the changes.
How do I re-enable the Host Service: SysMain Service if necessary?
If you want to re-enable the Host Service: SysMain Service to benefit from its system optimization benefits, you can follow the same steps as disabling it, but choosing the startup type to Automatic instead of Disabled . You may also need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions from users regarding the Host service: SysMain service and its high CPU or disk usage .
What is the difference between SysMain and SuperFetch?
SysMain and SuperFetch are two different names for the same Windows that aims to optimize system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. Windows 10 1809 update
Is SysMain necessary?
SysMain is not an essential service for the operation of Windows 10 , but it can improve system performance by reducing application load times. However, it can also cause high CPU or disk usage issues in some cases. You can therefore choose to activate or deactivate it according to your needs.
How do I stop SysMain from restarting automatically?
If you disabled the SysMain service through Service Manager, it should not restart automatically unless you manually re-enable it. However, if you used another method to disable the service, such as Command Prompt or Registry Editor, the service may restart automatically Windows update or computer restart . To prevent this, you can change the SysMain service startup type to Disabled via Service Manager, as explained in Method 5.
How do I know if SysMain is working correctly?
If SysMain is working properly, it should improve your system's performance by reducing load times for applications you use frequently. You can check whether SysMain is working properly by observing the CPU or disk usage of the Host Service: SysMain Service in Task Manager . If usage is low or moderate (less than 50%), it means that the service is working properly and is not negatively affecting your system performance. If usage is high (above 50%), it means the service is having a problem and needs to be disabled or repaired.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of SysMain?
The advantages of SysMain are:
- It speeds up Windows startup by preloading necessary files into memory.
- It reduces app loading times by preloading frequently used apps into memory.
- It adapts to your usage habits and preloads apps based on the time of day or day of the week.
The disadvantages of SysMain are:
- It can cause high CPU usage like AppX Deployment Service or disk usage in some cases, leading to slowdowns, freezes or overheating of the computer.
- It may conflict with other services or software and cause errors or incompatibilities.
- It can consume a lot of memory space and shorten the lifespan of the hard drive.
Conclusion
SysMain Service Host is a Windows that aims to optimize system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. However, this service can sometimes cause high CPU or disk usage issues, leading to computer slowdowns, freezes, or overheating. Another Windows that can impact system performance is the NET Runtime Optimization Service , which compiles .NET code in advance to speed up its execution. We hope that this article was useful to you and that you were able to improve the performance of your system with our advice.
