Fix Modern Setup Host 100% Disk Usage

It’s common for users to note a peculiar anomaly of the PC disk usage getting to 100%. When this happens, it considerably slows down the PC, causing high CPU usage, and impacts your productivity.

For super users, most prefer using the Task Manager to check the computer Memory, Disk, and CPU usage. If you experience a slower computer (100% disk) and open the Task Manager, you may find the Modern Setup Host at high disk usage. Modern setup issues are common among windows 7,8 and 10 users. You can fix the 100% disk usage modern setup host using the solutions below. But before learning about Modern Setup errors & fixes, it’s important to understand the modern setup host.

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What is Modern Setup Host in Windows 10?

The modern setup host (SetupHost.exe) is a computer-executable that extracts and installs windows update files. It is an executable file and is located in the C: $Windows.BTSources; it is available from the location only if the system has cleaned your windows 10 version.

Only users of the Windows beta version can see the Modern Setup host in their Windows 10. When your system is installing an update, the setup host executes automatically. It also runs the setup files for users upgrading to Windows 10. Modern Setup Host is related to windows updates. So, if your system experiences updates issues, it will become slower due to the Modern Setup Host file.

Below are the top ten ways of fixing Modern Setup Host 100% disk usage in Windows 10 that is causing high CPU usage.

If you experience a slower PC due to Modern Setup Host issues, you can use any of the solutions below to resolve the issue and enhance your computer’s performance.

1) Running the windows update Troubleshooter

The best way to resolve the Modern Setup Host high disk usage is by using the Windows Update Troubleshooter. For Windows 10 users, the troubleshooter is in-built. 

To resolve the issue using the troubleshooter, follow the steps below:

Step1: Press Windows Key + S  and type ‘troubleshoot’ in the search  bar

Troubleshoot

Step2: Select ‘Troubleshoot settings‘ from the pull-up menu and hit ENTER.

Troubleshoot-settings

Step3: In the troubleshoot Window, Scroll down on the right pane  and  click on ‘Windows update‘ 

Setup Host 100% Disk

Wait for the troubleshooter to launch, identify and resolve the issues 

2) Performing a clean boot

For most users, the high modern setup host disk usage is caused by background processes which interfere with the windows updates. Performing a clean boot enables you to close the many processes and launch windows with only the essential startup programs and essential drivers. To perform a clean boot, follow the steps below:

Step-1: Press Windows Key + R   to launch the run dialog box. Type msconfig and hit ENTER

msconfig in run dialogue

Step-2: Click the ‘General’  tab on the window and uncheck the ‘Load Startup Items‘  box.

uncheck-load-startup-items

Step-3: Click the ‘Services‘ tab on the upper window screen. Check the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ checkbox at the bottom of the screen and thereafter, click the ‘Disable all‘ option as shown.

Hide-all-Microsoft-services

Step-4: Launch the Task Manager by clicking the Windows  Key + X.

click on Task Manager

Step-5: Click on the ‘Startup‘ tab at the top of the screen. Next, right-click on each startup program and select ‘Disable‘ . Finally, restart your Windows 10 PC.

Disable-all-startup-services

Step-6: Finally, restart your PC.

3) Using the DISM tool

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool comes in handy in fixing the 100% disk usage which is attributed to corruption of Windows updates.

. To use DISM, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Run the command prompt as Administrator by typing ‘command prompt‘ in the search bar.  Next,  right-click on the ‘Command Prompt‘  in the pull-up menu and click on ‘Run as administrator

run command prompt as administrator

Step 2: On the command prompt window, run the command below

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM-check-health-1

The command will rapidly search if there’s anything amiss with your system and provide feedback on the cmd screen.

Step 2: Next, run the command below

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth
DISM-scan-health

This is a more advanced command that scans the health status of your system. It takes considerably longer than the previous command and scours for any corrupt windows files

Step 3: Finally, run the command

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
RestoreHealth

If errors were found, the repair process will much take longer, depending on your computer. It’s important not to disrupt the computer to allow the process to complete. After the process completes, restart your computer to check if the Modern Setup Host issue is resolved. 

4) Disable Windows Updates

You can also fix the Modern Setup Host issue by disabling windows updates. However, you should only use it when you don’t plan to update or upgrade windows. To disable windows updates, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Press ‘Windows +R’ to open the run dialog box. Type  ‘services.msc‘ and hit ENTER.

Run Windows services

Step 2: In the services window, navigate to the ‘Windows Update‘ option. Right-click and select the ‘Properties‘ option.

Windows updates properties

Step 3:  Look for the “Startup” option and ensure that the ‘startup type‘ option is disabled.

Windows-Update-disabled

Step 4: Next, click on the ‘Recovery‘ tab. Proceed to the ‘First failure’ option and select ‘Take no action‘ .

Recovery-Tab

Press ‘Apply‘ and click ‘Ok‘ to save the changes.

Recovery-Tab-Ok-and-Apply

5) Removing the software distribution folder items

 The windows “software distribution folder” stores all unnecessary and temporary files which are sometimes necessary for windows updates. At times these files can cause the Modern Setup Host issues and deleting them could solve the problem. To remove the items, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Press Windows +R key to open the run dialog box. Paste the command below and press “Enter.”

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
SoftwareDistribution download

Step 2: In the ‘Download‘ window, click Ctrl+A to highlight all the items.  Next,  delete the items by pressing the delete button.

Delete-all-items-in-Download-folder

Finally, restart your Windows 10 PC.

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