What is Wup.exe & How to Stop Its High CPU Usage?

Limit CPU usage of the process

by Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Author
Claire likes to think she's got a knack for solving problems and improving the quality of life for those around her. Driven by the forces of rationality, curiosity,... read more
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • One of the most annoying issues a Windows computer can have is high CPU usage by a non-essential process.
  • Wup.exe is one of these files and in this article, we will provide you with information on what it is, how it affects your computer, and steps on how to stop it from affecting your PC adversely.
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It’s easy to find yourself at the mercy of a virus such as wup.exe in your system, especially if you do not practice safe browsing habits. If left to linger around in your PC for an extended period, such malicious files can render your device inoperable.

Most of the reports indicate that it is consuming too much CPU, but this is just one of the side effects. So how do you stop this file from hogging your system resources? Find out below.

What is the wup.exe file?

The wup.exe file is a malicious program typically used by cybercriminals to steal information. It can be installed on your PC without your knowledge through the use of a trojan horse or spyware. The program will then run in the background and perform various tasks.

If the wup.exe file isn’t removed from your computer, it can cause a variety of problems, including:

How can I stop wup.exe high CPU usage on my PC?

1. End the process

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Task Manager in the search bar, and click Open.task manager search
  2. Navigate to the Processes tab, find wup.exe, right-click on it, and select End task.

2. Limit CPU usage

  1. Click on the Start Menu icon, type Task Manager in the search bar, and click Open.task manager search
  2. Navigate to the Details tab.
  3. Right-click wup.exe, and select Set affinity.
  4. Now uncheck all CPUs if you don’t want the wup.exe using any processor.

Manually limiting the process via the Task Manager works well most of the time but some viruses are known to be self-replicating so once you limit its usage, it can create another similar process and you’ll be back to square one.

If you want to make sure that your CPU doesn’t get bogged down by something like this, then you can opt for advanced resource monitor software that can also limit CPU usage for you.

3. Update your OS

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows Update then select Check for updates.check-updates-w11 windows 11 blue screen
  3. If available, Download and install.

4. Run DISM and SFC scans

  1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

5. Remove viruses and malware

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan, then Scan now to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

Windows Defender is your best bet for protecting yourself from malware and viruses. But if you’re looking for more, then you might want to look into another third-party antivirus solution.

It does a good job at detecting viruses and malware, but it doesn’t always catch everything, especially those known for being difficult to detect. That’s why we recommend using ESET NOD32, which has top-notch detection rates and advanced protection features.

Get ESET NOD32

6. Restore your system to an earlier point

  1. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
  2. The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
  3. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  4. Now click on Finish.

By using the methods mentioned above, you can stop the high CPU usage of the wup.exe file and protect your computer from further damage.

However, this will not be the last of the malicious programs on your PC. You might even run into more advanced malware that does more than consume your CPU.

At the very least, securing your system should be a non-negotiable. A good antivirus should always be part of your security system. For an extra layer of protection, you can install antiviruses for browsers or use a browser like Opera that already has its built-in antivirus.

Leave any additional thoughts in the comment section below.

Still experiencing issues?

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If the above suggestions have not solved your problem, your computer may experience more severe Windows troubles. We suggest choosing an all-in-one solution like Fortect to fix problems efficiently. After installation, just click the View&Fix button and then press Start Repair.

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