Troubleshooting High CPU Usage by DCOM Server Process Launcher: A Detailed Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, keeping your system updated with the latest Software builds and updates is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and security. However, sometimes these updates can introduce unexpected issues, such as the recent high CPU usage problem experienced by users after updating to the Windows preview build 27808.1000. This blog post delves into the intricacies of this issue, the arduous journey of troubleshooting, and how you can tackle similar issues efficiently.

Understanding DCOM Server Process Launcher

Before diving into the troubleshooting steps and solutions, it’s essential to understand what the DCOM Server Process Launcher is and its role within your system. DCOM, which stands for Distributed Component Object Model, is a Microsoft technology that facilitates communication between Software components distributed across networked computers. The DCOM Server Process Launcher is responsible for launching COM and DCOM servers and managing their lifetimes.

Why the High CPU Usage?

High CPU usage by the DCOM Server Process Launcher can indicate underlying issues, such as misconfigured Software, malfunctioning updates, or system conflicts. In the case of Windows preview build 27808.1000, users have reported the DCOM Server Process Launcher consuming around 80% of the CPU, leading to system slowdowns and performance hiccups.

The Investigation Begins

For six hours, I embarked on a systematic investigation to uncover the root cause of the high CPU usage issue. Below are the steps taken and insights gleaned during this process:

1. The Initial Discovery

Shortly after updating to the latest Windows preview build, I noticed a significant spike in CPU usage by the DCOM Server Process Launcher on my 12-core workstation. Desperate for a quick resolution, I initially hoped the issue would be resolved by the subsequent build update 27813.1000. Unfortunately, the problem persisted, and rolling back to a previous, stable version was no longer an option.

2. Systematic Troubleshooting

Without a rollback option, I turned to troubleshooting advice available online. However, these generic solutions failed to resolve the issue. I then went ahead with a more in-depth approach:

a. Performing a Clean Boot

Using msconfig, I initiated a clean boot by opting for a Selective Startup and disabling all non-essential startup items. This maneuver brought CPU usage down to 5-6%, but completely eliminating the issue remained elusive.

b. System Services Only

Further narrowing down the issue, I attempted booting with only essential system services using msconfig’s Selective Startup option once again. Despite these efforts, high CPU usage persisted, indicating the problem roots were deeper.

c. Disabling Startup Programs with Sysinternals Autoruns

In a bid to rule out any non-Microsoft processes, I used Sysinternals Autoruns to disable all startup programs, including scheduled tasks. Yet, the CPU consumption issue stubbornly persisted, hinting that the cause was deeply embedded within the system processes.

3. Analyzing Event Logs

Diving into the Event Viewer, I uncovered a clue—unsuccessful authorizations linked to taskhostw.exe. However, identifying the specific task responsible proved challenging without more detailed error information.

4. Leveraging Sysinternals Process Explorer

I shifted my attention to Sysinternals Process Explorer to monitor active processes and understand their interactions. Here, the culprit began to reveal itself. The Task Scheduler appeared to be responsible for the spiraling CPU usage. Suspending it temporarily reduced CPU load to zero but rendered the system unresponsive, suggesting it played a crucial, albeit problematic, role.

5. Digging Deeper into Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler surfaced as a potential culprit with taskhostw.exe processes manifesting intermittently. Investigating further:

• Accessing the Task Scheduler and opting to “Display All Running Tasks” revealed several active tasks.
• Killing these processes one by one, I noticed the Windows\\Flighting\\FeatureConfig\\ReconcileFeatures task reappeared persistently.
• Disabling all tasks under Windows\\Flighting finally resolved the issue, bringing CPU usage down to zero and stabilizing system performance.

Insights and Takeaways

The high CPU usage problem post-update brought to light a few critical insights and learnings that can help others navigate similar situations:

1. Patience and Persistence

As demonstrated by this case, troubleshooting system issues often requires patience and a systematic approach. While it might be tempting to attempt quick fixes, understanding the root cause is essential for a lasting solution.

2. Leveraging Advanced Tools

Utilizing advanced troubleshooting tools such as Sysinternals Autoruns and Process Explorer proved instrumental in diagnosing the underlying issue. These tools offer detailed insights into system processes and can provide crucial information for troubleshooting complex problems.

3. Staying Informed

Keeping informed about known issues with new software updates can help mitigate risks. Engaging in technical forums and user communities like Reddit can offer valuable shared experiences and solutions from users worldwide.

4. Backups and Rollbacks

While rollbacks were unavailable in this scenario, regularly creating system backups before significant updates is a prudent practice. It ensures a safety net for reverting to a previous state in case of issues.

Conclusion

High CPU usage by the DCOM Server Process Launcher, as experienced in this scenario, underscores the intricate nature of modern operating systems and their delicate interplay of components. This experience not only highlights the importance of thorough troubleshooting but also demonstrates the power of community insights and advanced tools in resolving complex issues. Remember, effective problem-solving often requires patient investigation and collaboration across multiple sources of information.