Fix: Shell Infrastructure Host Is Using High CPU and Memory In Windows 11/10

Most people reported high CPU and memory usage on Windows 11 and 10 while they tried to do routine tasks like viewing photos; CPU usage went up to 80%. Shell Infrastructure Host manages graphics UI elements like the Start menu, desktop background, taskbar, etc., on Windows.

It is a memory leak bug, so that you can face the Shell Infrastructure Host’s high CPU usage issue. This error can happen for an outdated operating system, system bug, corrupted system file, etc. And the most common reason is if your photos app is obsolete. This could be the cause of high CPU and memory usage.

This blog discusses how you can fix the Shell Infrastructure Host’s high CPU and memory usage on Windows 11 or 10. Read the full blog, and follow the methods, step by step. You can fix the Shell Infrastructure Host’s high CPU and memory usage on Windows 11 or 10.

Fix Shell Infrastructure Host’s high CPU and Memory Usage

The Shell Infrastructure Host is essential for managing a series of graphics UI elements on your Windows computer. So, you have to fix it. There are several ways you can quickly solve the high CPU usage problem. We have provided given below.

1. Update your Windows 
2. Repair photos App
3. Try a different photo viewer App
4. Restart the Shell Infrastructure Host process
5. Scan your PC
6. Fix your system files
7. Run DSIM
8. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter
9. Check for program conflict

Method 1: Update your Windows 

• Open your Windows settings
• Go to the Windows update section
• Now, click on the check for updates
• You must click on the Download button if any updates are available.
• After downloading your Windows restart your computer and check the error.

Method 2: Repair photos App

Now you have to repair your Microsoft photo App. Several Windows users reported that the error would be fixed when they repaired their photo App. So follow the steps to repair the photo App.

• Press Windows, and I key, then open Apps
• Under the Apps, click on Apps & features
• Click on the Microsoft photos and select Advanced Options
• Now, you can repair your Photo Apps and then check the error.

Method 3: Try a different photo viewer App

After repairing the Photo App but the error could not be fixed. Then you have to try to use a different Photo Viewer App. The high CPU usage problem can be fixed by utilising another photo viewer.

For Windows 10

• Right-click the photo and click the Open With the option
• Now, you can select another app
• If you don’t see any other photo viewer app
• Then, select More apps and click on the Look for another app on this PC
• Now, enable the Always use this app to open jpg files option, then click the OK button
• You have to save and do this with png files 

For Windows 11

• Open your Windows settings and click on Apps, then Default apps
• On the downside, select Choose defaults by file type
• Locate .jpeg or any other image format and then click on the photos app
• Now, you can select a new photo viewer app
• If you don’t see any other photo viewer app
• Then, select More apps and click on the Look for another app on this PC

Method 4: Restart the Shell Infrastructure Host process

To restart the Shell Infrastructure Host process, follow the given below steps. 

• Right-click on the Start Menu
• Now, you can select the Task Manager 
• Navigate the Shell Infrastructure Host process
• Click on the End task button
• After that, restart your device and check the problem.

Method 5: Scan your PC

In this method, we have to recommend you scan your computer. Sometimes malware can cause a high CPU usage problem on your computer. Windows computers already have malware removal tools. So you have to scan your computer and remove all malware.

Method 6: Fix your system files

• Press Windows + S keys and type Windows PowerShell
• Now, click on the Run as Administrator
• Grant user control and wait for the PowerShell panel to open
• Now, enter the sfc scannow command and then press Enter button.
• Wait for a few seconds, SFC will scan your computer, and it will repair the damaged system.

Method 7: Run DSIM

• Press Windows + X keys
• Select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option
• Grant the user control and wait for the panel to open it
• Now you have to give the below command and press Enter button
•    DISM.Exe /Online /cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
• Now, wait a couple of minutes, and it will complete the process.

Method 8: Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

When you run the system maintenance troubleshooter, it will fix your various system maintenance-related problems. So, you have to run this and try to fix the issue.

• In the start menu, search for “perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically.”
• Now, click on the Perform recommended tasks automatically.
• Click on advance and click on the Run as Administrator
• Click on the Next Button and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process
• Now, open the Run and type the given below command to run the System Maintenance troubleshooter.
•   %systemroot%\system32\msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic
• After that, the System Maintenance troubleshooter will be Run.

Method 9: Check for program conflict

• In the Windows search section, type msconfig and then press Enter button
• Now, you can click on the Services option
• Check the box that is Hide all Microsoft services and click on the Disable all
• Next, click on the Startup section and click Open Task Manager
• Right-click on every entry and select Disable in the Task Manager
• Then, close the Task manager window
• Click on the Boot, tick Safe Boot, and then click on Apply and the OK button.

We hope you have successfully fixed the Shell Infrastructure Host’s high CPU and memory usage on Windows 11 or 10.