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WSAPPX High Disk Usage in Windows 10: How to Fix It

By: Author Calin Ciabai

Posted on Last updated:

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WSAPPX High Disk Usage in Windows 10: How to Fix It

Unfortunately, even the latest iterations of Windows operating systems aren’t immune to performance issues. One common problem is the WSAPPX high disk and CPU usage issue.

The issue may look similar, but what are you supposed to do? This quick guide will walk you through what causes the WSAPPX alert and how to troubleshoot it.

What is WSAPPX and Why Does it Drain CPU Resources?

WSAPPX is a Windows 10 background process that downloads and uninstalls system files. It has WS (Windows Store) Service, which installs and updates applications on your disk, thus requiring high disk and CPU usage. 

While WSAPPX is an integral part of your Windows 10 system, it can be a nuisance when your device updates when you least expect it. 

Often, WSAPPX will resolve this issue on its own, but if you need to deactivate it temporarily, we have you covered.

How to Fix/Disable WSAPPX to Reduce High Disk/CPU Usage

Below are a few simple fixes for eliminating the WSAPPX high disk/CPU usage issue on Windows 10.

Method 1: Disable the Windows Store with Gpedit

Windows app updates are rare, so you may not need the Windows Store to run for a while after installing your primary apps.

Here is how to disable the Windows Store:

  1. Click the Windows Key. On the Run window, type gpedit.msc as it looks below:
  1. If your Windows 10 system doesn’t support the gpedit.msc command, navigate to the Group Policy Editor. Click Computer Configuration, selecting Administrative Templates. From here, click Windows Components and Store. 
  2. From the setting pane, right-click Turn off Store Application and select Edit.
  3. Select Disabled, Apply, then OK.

After these steps, the Windows Store will be disabled upon restarting your computer. Note that disabling the Windows Store means you’ll have to manually update your applications each time.

Method 2: Disable the Windows Store by Editing Registry Files

Suppose the gpedit.msc command doesn’t work—you can try editing Windows registry files. However, you’ll want to be cautious, as it can cause your entire system to malfunction. Use the registry fix only if you have no other option. 

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Click the Windows Key + R. Type regedit in the new window as seen below:
  1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore key. If you haven’t yet created the WindowsStore key, you’ll have to do so by right-clicking Microsoft, New, then Key. Simply name the key WindowsStore.
  2. Right-click to create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value, naming it RemoveWindowsStore. Assign a value of 1.

When you restart your device, the Windows Store should no longer run. You can quickly reverse this by deleting the WindowsStore key or DWORD Value you created.

Method 3: Increase Your Virtual Memory

If the above methods fail or are too complex for your liking, try extending your device’s virtual memory through these steps:

  1. Open up the search bar and type in appearance and performance. Select the entry as shown in the photo:
  1. Click the Advanced tab, then the Change button under Virtual Memory.
  2. Uncheck Automatically Manage Paging File Size for All Drives. Select drive C (or wherever you have Windows 10 installed) and click Custom Size.
  3. Input your computer’s current RAM in MB in the Initial Size window, then set the Maximum Size value to double that amount. 
  4. Click on Set, then OK. Restart the device.

Method 4: Update Your Device Drivers

Incompatible or faulty device drivers can occasionally trigger the WSAPPX issue, so updating them may be worthwhile. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Search your PC vendor on Google, navigating to their support page. Plug in your computer model and check if new device drivers are available to download.
  2. If your device has an available download, follow the setup instructions to install the new program. 

Method 5: Disable Superfetch

Superfetch delivers the appropriate data to active applications as quickly as possible. While Superfetch is helpful, it isn’t necessary, and turning it off can prevent high disk usage. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Press the Windows Key + R and enter services.msc.
  2. Find Superfetch or SysMain in the drop-down menu. Right-click either of them and select Properties. 
  1. Under Startup Type, click Disabled. Then, click OK and Stop. 

Background processes slow your system down more than you might anticipate. Thus, if you depend on multiple applications, WSAPPX could clog your CPU or disk, causing your device to lag and buffer constantly. 

Hopefully, the above tips resolve your usage problem. If you have other troubleshooting tips to share, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments!