Computer

What is the WSAPPX process for in Windows?

On the other hand, the process AppXSVC, is responsible for deploying these UWPs, so it runs every time we install, update or remove a tool from the Windows Store. In the same way that happens on Android with applications with an APK extension, we can load the AppX files on our PC whenever we need them.

Since these threads run under the WSAPXX process, we will occasionally see their use results in a high consumption of the equipment, at the moment that any of them is active. The moment we have finished installing or updating all the apps from the store, we can disable it to save some CPU or hard drive usage.

When is this process active?

In general, the WSAPPX process is only active when we are using the Windows Store. Either at the time of installing an application or an update, which causes the consumption of resources to rise. A similar thing happens when we install any Win32 software in the traditional way. Not surprisingly, its installation processes also consume a lot of resources during that time.

We can find it by opening the Task Manager, pressing the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + Del”. Then we click on the Processes tab. Here we will find a list of active processes so we will have to scroll to the bottom to find it, right in the “Windows Processes” section. Windows considers WSAPPX as a life process, so ending it via task manager may cause the system to become more unstable and shut down.

WSAPPX Process Task Manager

In the event that we are not using the Microsoft Store, but it appears that the WSAPPX process remains active, it may be due to some pending update which is done in the background of any UWP app. This is something that we can deactivate if we want from the Store itself. Also, keep in mind that many tools that are included in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 by default are UWP, so they also make use of this process. For example, we refer to applications such as Calendar, Mail, Photos or the Calculator, among others.

Prevent apps from updating

Since these applications are an important part of the system, it is not recommended to disable their automatic updates. In this way we can keep up to date with each one of them without having to be aware that a new version has been released in order to download it.

Store app updates

However, in case we want to disable automatic updates, we just have to write Microsoft Store in the Start menu search box and open the entry. With the new design of the store, we must click on the button of our profile and then on «Application settings». Now we just have to click on the slider of the checkbox “App Updates” to disable it.

Fix high CPU and disk consumption

Having the hard drive or the CPU running at full capacity is not a good sign for the computer, as it will prevent us from using other applications with ease, causing slowdowns, and there may even be times when our PC does not respond. At the moment there is still no real solution, but it is possible to carry out certain actions to mitigate its effect.

Update PC drivers

On many occasions, a high use of the CPU or the hard disk in our system is related to the fact that we have installed some drivers for our devices that are defective or incompatible. That is why we must have them updated to the latest version available.

device manager update driver

To do this, press the keyboard shortcut “Windows + X”, and from the menu select the “Device Manager”. Here we must make sure that there is none that has a symbol in the shape of a yellow triangle with an exclamation point. If we find any, it means that there are problems with the driver, so we must unfold it, click on it with the right mouse button and click on “Update driver”.

Disable the Microsoft Store

In the event that we do not use the Windows store, the truth is that it is possible to deactivate it and in this way alleviate the problem of using the hard disk. This is something we can do from the Group Policy Editor, both in Windows 11 and in the Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 10.

To do this, press the Windows + R key combination, which opens the Run command. Here, we write gpedit.msc and press Enter or the OK button. Later we navigate the following route:

Configuración de equipo / Plantillas administrativas / Componentes de Windows / Tienda

Deactivate the app from the Store

Here we will double click on the section of “Deactivate the Store app”. This will cause a new window to open where we must change the status to “Enabled”. Then click on Apply and OK to save the changes. All that remains is to restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Check for viruses

There are occasions where this problem may be caused by an infection from a virus or malware in our system, so it is convenient to perform a scan with our antivirus. In the case of Windows Defender, the process is very simple. We must write Windows Security in the search box of the Start menu and select it.

Windows Defender Full Review

Next, click on “Virus and Threat Protection” and then on “Scan Options”. Here we can try on a first try with a “Quick Test”. In case we want to be more sure, we can try a “Complete Exam” that will last a considerable time. Once finished we restart the computer and check if there are any changes.

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