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.

conhost.exe process
conhost.exe process

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 or powershell.exe processes.

For persistent issues, monitor system activity to identify the root cause, which may originate from third-party applications.