Fix Shell Infrastructure Host High CPU Usage in 2 Minutes

Certain Windows 11 users have noticed Shell Infrastructure Host process is using more than necessary CPU resources. This is causing Shell Infrastructure Host to take up the entire available CPU resources even while doing simple tasks like viewing photos on the system. High CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure causes the system to slow down, stutter, and sometimes crash.

How to Fix Shell Infrastructure Host High CPU Usage on Windows 11

We discovered that high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host could be due to several reasons. Sometimes it’s due to bugs messing with the accumulated cache folder in Windows 11. It can also happen if certain hotfixes are not installed, or the Photos app is corrupted. There may also be interference from any third-party software causing high CPU usage. To make it easier for Windows 11 users, we have created a brief list of credible fixes with detailed steps that may help solve the issue of high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host.

Tip: If you’re having trouble with Windows updates, high CPU usage, registry errors, drivers, and activation, we recommend using Restoro. This software will scan and fix your problem automatically. Try Restoro before applying the following fixes to rule out corrupted or malware-damaged files.

Fix #1: Fix Corrupted System Files

Windows 11 is a new OS, and even though it’s been a while since it came out, there are still stability issues. Corrupted system files are a common problem in Windows 11, which can cause many issues, including high CPU usage of the Shell Infrastructure Host. To scan and fix corrupted files, use Restoro, a professional repair tool that fixes the most common Windows 10 and 11 errors. Download Restoro and run the scan to confirm what files are causing problems. Once the scan is complete, you click on Repair to fix and replace all damaged files on your PC.

Fix #2: Reset Or Uninstall Photos App

The photos app is usually the main entity affected or causing the high CPU usage of the Shell Infrastructure Host. Oftentimes it needs to be reset or uninstalled altogether to solve the issue. If you uninstall it and it fixes the issue, you can use the alternate photos app to view photos because there is no permanent fix for the Photos app right now. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box, type “ms-settings” to open Settings, and select Apps. Next, select Installed programs, and search “photos” in the search box to head to the Photos app. Select the action icon for Microsoft Photos. Then click on the Repair button. The repair process will start and after it’s over, restart your computer.

If repairing doesn’t fix the problem, it is time to uninstall the Photos app. Use Windows Taskbar to search for add or remove programs. Find Microsoft Photos from the apps list and uninstall the program.

Fix #3: Use Alternate Default Photos App

If the current photos app is still causing high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host, then you’ll have to switch to another and set it as the default Photos app. To replace Microsoft Photos with Windows Photo Viewer, press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box and type “ms-settings” to open Settings, click on Apps, then on Default apps. Scroll down the list and select the Photos app. On every entry that has Photos as the default program, change it to Windows Photo Viewer. Finally, save all the changes and then restart your PC.

Fix #4: Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

When issues with the bug affect the cache folder, as mentioned earlier, high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host is inevitable. To tackle this problem, follow the next steps to run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter.

First, press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box and type ‘control’ in the text field. Control Panel will launch. Search ‘troubleshooter’ in Control Panel, then in the Troubleshooting section, go under System and Security and select Run maintenance tasks. Then, click on the Advanced hyperlink and automatically check the box next to Apply repairs.

Click on Next, then click on Try troubleshooting as an administrator; it will start the utility. The troubleshooter will identify the issue and solve it. When that’s over, reboot your PC, and that’ll end. It is a common occurrence that CPU usage is affected by one entity or another. In the case of high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host on Windows 11, many users are dumbfounded when trying to solve the issue. Following the steps described in our fixes, we hope we have cleared up the problem for you, and your CPU usage is now balanced.

Fix #5: Use a Solid Desktop Background

It is well established the Shell Infrastructure host is closely linked to basic graphical elements. It is possible that using a slideshow background or a dynamic background via some third-party software is causing high CPU usage. Click Start and select the Settings cogwheel from the menu. Open Personalization settings, and in the Background tab, select Solid Color or Picture as your background.

Fix #6: Install All Pending Windows Updates

As mentioned earlier, high CPU usage by Shell Infrastructure Host could happen if certain hotfixes are not installed. To install hotfixes on Windows 11, first press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box, then type “ms-settings: windows update” in the text box, press Enter, and then Yes on default UAC. On the launched window, select Check for Updates; this will start the update download locally, then click on Install Now for local installation. As the final step, restart your computer. Another method is to type Windows Updates in the Windows Search Bar to open the Windows Update Settings menu. Click on “Check for updates.”