When using Windows operating systems, you may encounter high CPU utilization issues with the console window host process conhost.exe
. This article explains the purpose of conhost.exe
, potential causes for its high CPU usage, and provides solutions to help resolve this issue and improve system performance and stability.
Purpose of conhost.exe
conhost.exe
is a critical Windows system process responsible for managing and controlling the display of Command Prompt and PowerShell windows. It handles console window appearance and behavior, processes user input/output, and manages window size, position, and other attributes.
The legitimate conhost.exe
resides in C:\Windows\System32\conhost.exe
, and multiple instances may run simultaneously.
High CPU Utilization Issues
Normally, conhost.exe
should have minimal CPU and memory usage. Sustained high CPU utilization (e.g., 30%) indicates an abnormal condition.

Potential causes and solutions for sustained high CPU usage:
First try restarting your computer - this often resolves the issue.
- Malware impersonation
Verify the process isn't malware by scanning with antivirus software.
- Command-line application hang (most common)
A command-line application may have failed to exit properly. Try terminating associated
cmd.exe
orpowershell.exe
processes.
For persistent issues, monitor system activity to identify the root cause, which may originate from third-party applications.