Huge CPU Resource Usage with Start10

Previous versions in the last 6 months too

from Stardock Forums

I have been a user of the Start programs since Start8.  I have never had an issue with any version, but in the last few months, I have noticed a constant CPU  usage of 7-70%, which I could not understand.  I blamed it on Win 10.  I was running v. 1909 until recently when I upgraded to v. 21H1.  I was hoping that would resolve the problem, as was MS.  It did not.  I finally gathered the resolve to do a clean boot and add my startup services one by one.  I was expecting some exotic startup service to be the issue.  I was taken aback when the only service that recreated the problem was when I activated Star10 service.  I was not trying to do a search or anything else with Start10.  On boot-up, Start10 was consuming 5-8% of my CPU resources constantly.  When I opened various windows in file explorer it would jump to 17-50%, sometimes as much as 70%!  The only thing I had to do was disable Start10 service from automatically starting at boot-up, by changing it to "manual" in "services", which caused my Windows Explorer usage to consistently use 0.0 to 1.0%, even with multiple Windows Explorer windows open.  After changing Start10 Service to manual and rebooting, I tried starting it in its service properties and immediately my CPU usage jumped to 17%.

While I have noticed others having issues with CPU usage, it always seems to be while doing a search in Start10.  My experience is that I am doing absolutely nothing with Start10 and asking it do nothing.  As I said, this was an issue in the last month or two even before upgrading to 1.9.7.  So where do we go from here?

Hopefully someone has some ideas because my work productivity is significantly diminished when such a large proportion of my CPU resources are consumed by Start10.  I will have to remove the program or disable it if no one has a resolution.  Needless to say, when I have spent over 10 years using Start* programs, and having little or no experience with the Metro GUI, I am not exactly champing at the bit to lose the ease of Start10.

Thank you.

6,093 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Have you try purge and reinstall steps as mentioned here: https://forums.stardock.com/486022/start10-support-faq#reinstalling. Just make sure to re-download the latest version from your account. Reboot after the purged. Reinstall, and Reboot again after the installation. Retest it. Report back here.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Opening windows in explorer shouldn't make Start10 use more cpu usage, but it will naturally cause explorer to peak as it uses cpu when doing so.

There was a problem in some circumstances with search in older versions but that was addressed.  The only other thing I can think of would be if something is making Start10 rebuild the list of universal apps over and over again for some reason.

What applications do you have running your computer at bootup?

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Basj,

As of right now (one never knows what will happen 5 minutes from now), your suggestion did the trick.  I guess after 10 years of updates with no purges, something created a loop with my CPU, which could not be resolved other than a purge.  Thank you for your suggestion!

Best,

WW8

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Neil,

While I accept and appreciate your thoughts on the issue, opening 2 windows should not increase CPU usage to a level of 20-70%.  After following Basj's suggestion, my CPU resource usage has dropped to 1% or less, even with 5 windows open.  Thank you for your attention.

Best,

WW8

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Update...while the reinstall and supposed purge (which does not totally purge EVERYTHING and only elicits a bunch of error messages in the Cmd window), the reinstall only works until a shutdown or restart, then clicking on the start button opens the menu for .25 seconds and immediately closes, no matter what I do.  What is going on with Start10????

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Frankly, I have spent MANY hours trying to figure this out.  I created a new administrator account and it did nothing to change anything.  With no windows open, Windows Explorer is still consuming 24% of my resources.  I have not done a clean boot on the new account, yet, if ever.  I am tired of wasting not only my CPU resources but my personal time.  I have tried to downgrade to 1.9.6 and that has not helped, but the problem began only a  few months ago so I suspect it started with 1.9.6.  I do not have any other legacy versions saved on my computer and I have searched in vain for other legacy versions.  Does anyone know where I can download legacy versions?  I would rather try a legacy version prior to 1.9.6 then go through any further diagnostics.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, I don't think its the current version v1.97 issue, which if it is, we would have seen lot more reports from others on this issue. I still believe its something is conflicting on your system. Maybe, you can try the "sfc /scannow" to see if your system have any issue in it.

Please try the following:

-For Win8/10 Users: Open the Start Screen, and type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator' from below.

-Type: sfc /scannow

-Wait for the scan to complete (this can take several minutes)

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

If the SFC finds errors, but cannot fix them, please also run the following command in the same command prompt window:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

The above command should assist with replacing any damaged or problematic system files. Please note, however, since it may require restoring certain files, this process can take some time and you will need to be patient until it has completed.

Please let me know whether this resolves your problem or if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Basj,

I sincerely appreciate your continued assistance with this topic.  Unfortunately, nothing that you have suggested has helped in the least bit.  After spending additional hours creating new user accounts, disabling all services except Start10, disabling all startup services, using Start10.bat (which failed...I have screen shots), using start10 cleanup Purge All.bat (which failed...I have screen shots), using sfc /scannow, using DISM (both of which found nothing to repair), uninstalling and reinstalling the program (finding I could not reactivate under the new account), I have no doubt that it is something with Start10. The only service that is running under the new account is Stardock service (I even disabled my A/V and firewall), and it was running at 10-24%.  I do a great deal of CPU intensive work and cannot afford to even have 10% usage consumed by explorer.exe.  I have actually seen it rise to 90%!  If there was the availability of sending pics, I would send you the actual pics that I have shot of my screens. I do not see that option in the reply window. One odd thing is that I have noticed multiple instances of "Start10" running at the same time in my task manager.  I know of not reason why this should be.  I have seen as many as 5.

As you already know, I have been a customer for over 10 years but the only solution that has worked for me is to completely remove Start10 and deal with learning to use the Win10 start menu, which, in my opinion is far less convenient.  With Start10 gone I am usually running at 0.1% for explorer.exe.

I am giving up on Start* and I am sorry to break connection with what has been a great product and has served me well for many years.

 

WW8

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

A final comment:  Once I got rid of Start10, I have had no issue with explorer.exe consuming more than an average of 0.5 % of my CPU resources.  While it went unnoted by me when it occurred, one of my security programs alerted me to numerous injection malware processes instigated by Start10, which I allowed since I have had no issues with Start10 for years.  In hindsight, I should have denied access by these "labeled" malware injections, if for no other reason than to see if THEY were the source of the sudden increase in CPU use.  At this point, I have spent so much time on this issue and FINALLY have decreased my CPU resource load to a satisfactory level, that I am unwilling to investigate any longer by trying to reinstall Start10 and pursuing any further troubleshooting.  Others may take up the quest if faced with the same issue.  Good luck, I hope this thread helps to streamline your efforts!

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

What AV product are you using?

Start10 naturally does not include any malware, but it is possible some sort of interaction between the AV and Start10 could happen if the AV app was trying to mess with how Start10 works because it incorrectly (as these things often do) identified it as malware.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Neil,

As I have said, I am done with any further investigation, but as a courtesy, it was the Advanced Threat module in Acronis True Image 2021 that alerted me to the potential problem (it guards mostly against ransomware attacks).  Perhaps, if you are unfamiliar with "Injection Processes", you may want to familiarize yourself with this relatively new malware (many times it writes nothing to your system but merely diverts to its specific targeted advertising).  The point is that I ALLOWED it so I stopped getting warnings and no further conflict with Start10 should have been occurring.  I am not blaming my issue on an alert for an injection process by Start10; I am simply saying that others should look into it if they are faced with the same CPU issue.  After a little additional research, I have found a free alternative to Start10 that has not created the CPU resource consumption issue. I really am done with this topic.