FIX: Shellexperiencehost.exe? What Is Windows Shell Experience Host?

You just saw Windows Shell Experience Host High CPU Usage Consumption in Task Manager?

And,

You would be wondering what even Shellexperiencehost.exe/startmenuexperiencehost is?

Recently, users have reported that when they opened the Task Manager they saw that Shellexperiencehost.exe is using almost 90% of the CPU which was very unusual.

First of all, you don’t need to worry much because you are not alone in this and many users were trying some wrong fixes for Windows Shell Experience Host on Windows 11.

But,

We have compiled a list of the best solutions for you to fix the startmenuexperiencehost.exe error.

What is ShellExperienceHost exe?

Shellexperiencehost exe is an executable file and stands for Windows Shell Experience Host.

It was introduced in Windows 10, and can also be found in the latest versions of Windows 11.

Windows Shell Experience Host is an important part f Windows OS and its role is to display universal apps in a windowed interface. The process also handles the taskbar, Start Menu transparency, calendar, clock, etc.

Shellexperiencehost.exe is allocated in C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost folder and has a file size of 1,653,600 bytes.

Windows Shell Experience Host helps other graphical parts to make Windows more attractive and when it does use the resources which leads to high CPU usage which is sometimes not normal so, disabling it will lead to malfunctioning of other systems related to Windows OS.

Also Read: LockApp.exe? What’s It? Is It Safe?

Is ShellExperienceHost a virus?

It’s totally safe as Windows Shell Experience Host is a legitimate program digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation.

As it is legitimate but hackers can still attack the program to make changes and carry out their illegal activities through shellexperiencehost.exe.

Moreover, if you are a Windows XP or Windows Vista and 8 users and if you see this startmenuexperiencehost process running on your PC then it’s an unwanted program as this file no longer works there.

Also, we can clear our doubt that the Shellexperiencehost exe is a virus or not by checking the file location as it should be located in its default file location when it was originally developed.

But still, to be on the safe side you can check if there’s a virus or not through Task Manager:

  1. Press together Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to details and look for Shellexperiencehost.exe
  3. Also on your right side under the description column make sure its name is correct.
  4. Right-click on it and select Open file location.
  5. If it is located at C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHostfile location Windows Shell Experience Host

And if it’s not in the given address, then it might be a virus or a spyware.

Solution 1: Update Windows 11

Sometimes your outdated PC is the main cause of the Windows Shell Experience Host High CPU usage

For the best performance of your PC, you need to make sure that your Windows OS is up to date.

and with new updates, the bugs or errors like startmenuexperiencehost and high memory usage will be fixed.

So, here is how you can update your Windows 11 OS:

  1. Click on the Windows icon
  2. Click on the Settings icon and a new window will pop upWindows icon shellexperiencehost.exe High CPU Usage
  3. Select Windows Update from the left menuWindows update 1
  4. The new window will pop up
  5. Then click on Check for updates button.Check for updates shellexperiencehost.exe CPU Usage
  6. If there is any update it will start updating the PCupdating the PCshellexperiencehost.exe High CPU Usage
  7. It will take some time to update Windows OS and after that, you can restart your PC.

Also ReadFIX: Microsoft Block Level Backup Engine Service?

Solution 2: Turn Off Automated Accent Colors For Background

So, if your background changes automatically then you need to disable the automated accent colors.

As every time the background changes your PC will pick a new accent color it will lead to high CPU usage as it’s the responsibility of the Windows Shell Experience Host.

Here’s how you can turn off automatic accent colors on Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows key + I to go to Settings
  2. In the Settings screen choose Personalization
  3. Now click on Colorsimage 108
  4. Click on the Accent color option and change it to Manualaccent colors Windows Shell Experience Host
  5. Restart your PC and check if Windows Shell Experience Host high CPU usage is fixed or not.

Solution 3: Turn Off Slideshow Background To Fix Windows Shell Experience Host

If turning off didn’t help you fix shellexperiencehost.exe high CPU usage then you should try to get over slideshow background.

As whenever your background changes shellexperiencehost.exe will use a lot of memory so

Here’s how you can turn off slideshow backgrounds in Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows key + I to go to Settings
  2. In the Settings screen choose Personalization
  3. Now click on BackgroundBackground settings
  4. Click on Personalize your background and set it to Picture or Solid colorimage 110
  5. After some time check if Windows Shell Experience Host high CPU usage is solved or not.

If the above solution didn’t help you fix the shell infrastructure host then continue to SFC scan

Also Read: MMC.exe Error Blocked

Solution 4: Perform a System File Check to Fix shellexperiencehost.exe High CPU Usage

Sometimes the damaged file can lead to startmenuexperiencehost.exe high CPU usage on Windows 11 and your program will be unable to run.

So, the Sfc(System file checker) helps you scan the errors and replaces them if the shell infrastructure host replicated itself.

Here’s what you need to do to fix the Windows Shell Experience Host error:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator, press Windows Key + X
  2. Or, search “Command Prompt” in the Startup menu, then choose Run as administratorimage 111
  3. Type “sfc /scannow”sfc /scannow Windows Shell Experience Host
  4. Be careful with the spaces between commands.
  5. This action may take up to 20 minutes so don’t interrupt it.
  6. After that restart your PC and check if shell infrastructure host high CPU usage is solved or not.

Having a High CPU Error CHECK OUT: What is Acrord32.exe?

Solution 5: Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

This system maintenance troubleshooter will look for errors all-around your PC and will fix them if you couldn’t manage to fix startmenuexperiencehost from the above solution.

Moreover, the corrupted files that will get fixed with it will also solve Windows Shell Experience Host High CPU Usage.

So, here’s how to run a system maintenance troubleshooter:

  1. Click on the Search icon
  2. Select Control Panel.Control Panel. Windows Shell Experience Host
  3. Now look for TroubleshootingControl panel troublesshooting
  4. In the left pane click on View all.Troubleshooting computer problem
  5. And select System Maintenance.System maintaince

After the troubleshooting is done you need to run your Windows in Safe Mode.

And you do this by following the steps below:

  1. Press Windows Button + R Key
  2. The Run Dialogue Box will appear
  3. Type “msconfig“ and press Enter.
  4. The System Configuration window will open and then click on the Boot tab.
  5. Now checkbox the Safe boot option.image 112
  6. Then click on Apply and OK for the system to reboot in safe mode.
  7. After rebooting check if shellexperiencehost.exe high CPU usage is fixed or not.

Also Read: FIXED: WaasMedic Agent.exe High Disk Usage?

If troubleshooting didn’t work out for you in fixing Windows Shell Experience Host then continue to clean boot your PC.

Solution 6: Performing a Clean Boot Using MSConfig to Fix Windows Shell Experience Host High CPU Usage

Clean boot will help you to eliminate the unnecessary applications which are running on the backend.

Also, it will help fix startmenuexperiencehost and will replace the corrupted file that is helping in high CPU usage.

And shut down any applications which are conflicting with each other.

Here is how to perform a Clean Boot:

  1. Press Windows Button + R Key
  2. The Run Dialogue Box will appear
  3. Type “msconfig“ and press Enter.Run Dialogue Boxs tartmenuexperiencehost
  4. The System Configuration window will open
  5. In the General tab uncheck Load system services and Load startup items box as this will only use services issued by Microsoft when your PC will reboot.System Configuration startmenuexperiencehost
  6. Now Select the Service tab and uncheck all the unnecessary serviceUncheck startmenuexperiencehost
  7. Only check those who are not using high CPU usage
  8. And your clean boot is done and the unnecessary services are eliminated
  9. After restarting your PC your startmenuexperiencehost.exe error on Windows 11 will be fixed.

Conclusion

So, these are the best fixes we could get for you in fixing Windows Shell Experience Host High CPU Usage in Windows 11 and

Disabling startmenuexperiencehost from your system is not that much of an easy job and also we don’t recommend it to so that’s why we have provided you with the best possible solutions.

It’s best you try all the solutions and if you have any other fix related to the Shellexperiencehost.exe error or any type of question then just let us know in the comment section below.

FAQs

  1. Where is Windows Shell Experience Host located?

    ShellExperienceHost exe

    Windows Shell Experience Host is allocated in C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost where it was stored default when developed.

  2. How to check GPU Usage of Werfault?

    You can check GPU Usage of Shellexperiencehost.exe by:
    1. Gooing to the Task Manager.
    2. Look for Shellexperiencehost.exe and click on the GPU usage column

  3. Why does ShellExperienceHost exe crash?

    windows 1

    ShellExperienceHost exe crashes due to corrupt files or when malware attacks your PC.

  4. Is ShellExperienceHost exe a virus?

    ShellExperienceHost exe is not a virus unless it replicates itself or harms your computer.

Zul
Zul

Zul is an avid gamer with a passion for RPG and racing games. He enjoys playing games like Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto 5 and is also skilled at fixing errors and crashes to enhance the gaming experience. Zul stays up-to-date with the latest gaming news and enjoys sharing his knowledge through writing gaming guides and articles.
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