Users trying to troubleshoot High CPU Usage on Windows computer have reported noticing over 90% of the CPU being used by Service Host: Local System (Network Restricted) Service.
High CPU Usage by Service Host Local System
While the Task Manager may point to “Service Host Local System (Restricted Network)” as being responsible for high CPU Usage, the problem is actually known to be caused by SuperFetch and its related services.
The main purpose of SuperFetch Service is to improve the boot up time of programs on a computer by pre-loading the most commonly used program files into RAM.
However, this pre-loading activity by the SuperFetch Service can sometimes lead to alarmingly High CPU Usage, especially on computers with Mechanical Hard Drives and Low RAM capacity.
In most cases, disabling the SuperFetch service should fix the problem. If it does not, you need to disable other related services as listed below in this guide.
1. Disable SuperFetch Service
You can follow the steps below to disable the SuperFetch Service on your computer and see if this helps in fixing the problem.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run. In Run Command window, type services.msc and click on OK.
2. On the Services Screen, double-click on SuperFetch to open its Properties screen.
3. On SuperFetch properties screen, disable SuperFetch by changing Startup type to Disabled.
4. Click on OK to save this setting and Restart your computer.
2. Disable Windows Update Delivery Optimization
Go to Settings > Updates & Security > select Delivery Optimization tab in the left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and disable Download from other PCs option.
After this, make sure restart the computer and monitor CPU Usage in the taskbar.
3. BackGround Intelligence Transfer Service
Another Windows Service that comes under “Service Host Local System” and causes High CPU Usage is known as BackGround Intelligent Transfer Service.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run. In the Run Command window, type services.msc and click on OK.
2. On the Services Screen, double-click on BackGround Intelligent Transfer Service to open its Properties screen
3. On properties screen, change the Startup type to Manual.
4. Click on OK to save this setting and Restart the computer.
4. Run System File Checker
You may also want to Run SFC Scan Command to check the System Files on your computer for Errors.
1. Open Command Prompt As Admin > On the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer.
2. Make sure you Restart the computer.
Hopefully, the above methods should help fix the High CPU Usage problem on your computer. If not, you can refer to this guide: How to Fix High RAM and CPU Usage in Windows 10
Is It Safe to Disable SuperFetch Service?
In general, episodes of High CPU Usage by “Service Host Local System” occur when the the SuperFetch Service tries to remove old files from RAM and replace them with new files.
Once this task is completed by SuperFetch Service, the CPU usage on a computer should quickly go down to normal levels.
However, if the computer is constantly suffering from episodes of High CPU Usage, you will be left with no option, but to disable the SuperFetch service on your computer.
