Serous Memory Leaks since updating to Windows 10 Anniversary Update

[RyougaLolakie]

Hello, I've been running some memory leaks issue since updating to Windows 10 Anniversary update. The problem starts when I was uploading some files off on Dropbox website on Google Chrome. Around that time, I noticed a memory leak where the ram would just sit at around 23% which is from the antimalware service executable. Logging off Windows and closing all of the programs doesn't work so a reboot is an option. During that time I've been trying to trouble shoot this problem. I've updated the network drivers, hd audio drivers, and trying to delete and recreate the page file but the memory leak persists. I've also tried one of the solutions around websites from searching on google, but nothing worked. Right now, as soon as I finished playing Dota 2, I noticed another memory leak coming from svchost.exe, with a size of a whoppin 700mb! To be honest, this has never happened before this update and I need help on how to stop the memory leakage. I provided the screenshots of the svchost.exe memory hogging up above.

On the unrelated note, Windows Defender hangs whenever I tried to click the Defender icon from the startup on the taskbar. That happened when I disabled the Cloud Protection and all that except for the real time protection which I leave it on. When I enabled all back on, the issue persisted. Also, I ran SFC scannow and they fix the errors which describes, "[FONT=&quot]"Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log Windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Note that logging in is currently supported in offline servicing scenarios."" While it did fix the errors but it doesn't stop the memory leaks nor the Windows Defender app hangs. I can upload the CBS log if needed be.[/FONT]

I'd seriously need to get this problem fixed. :/ This Windows Anniversary update wasn't getting too good for me and I still have the backup for the previous build if needed but I need to find the easy fix before this. Thanks! Here's my PC specs:

System Spec

Computer typeC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number:Custom
OS:Windows 10
CPU:Intel i7 4790K @ 4.00ghz
Motherboard:Asrock z97x Killer
Memory:G.Skill Ripjaws X 32GB DDR3 Ram @ 1600mhz
Graphics Card(s):NVIDIA GTX 970Monitor(s) Displays:Sceptre 27inch monitorScreen Resolution:1920x1080
Hard Drives:500gb Samsung 850 EVO SSD
1TB Toshiba Harddrive
PSU:Corsair RM750 750 Watt
Case:CoerMaster HAF 922
Cooling:Corsair H80i
Keyboard:Corsair k70 /w CherryMX Red Switches
Mouse:Logitech g502 Proteus
Internet Speed:Brighthouse Networks
Browser:Chrome
Antivirus:Windows Defender w/ Security Essentials

 

[xilolee]

Hi RyougaLolakie. :welcome:

Antivirus:Windows Defender w/ Security Essentials

Windows defender OR MS security essentials? Or are you using both?

 

[RyougaLolakie]

Hi RyougaLolakie. :welcome:

Antivirus:Windows Defender w/ Security Essentials

Windows defender OR MS security essentials? Or are you using both?

Hello, Xilolee! :)

Windows defender only. That was my bad on that part. ^^; Since Im currently using Windows 10, I thought security essentials was only on windows 7, is that true?

 

[RyougaLolakie]

Alright, I decided to ran Windows SDK and loading up permon and see which one is leaking. So far, the highest one I've seen was AfdP (nonpaged), BFAT (nonpaged), BFFT (nonpaged), CM66 (Paged), and CMNb (Paged). Since I don't have Visual Studio 2015, I couldn't tell what those tags are for. Can anyone tell me what those tags are?

 

[Digerati]

Since Im currently using Windows 10, I thought security essentials was only on windows 7, is that true?

Windows Defender is an enhanced version of MSE and is only on W8/W10.

I don't see any problems in any of your screen shots in your first post. The most I see is just 14.4%. I'm sitting here with 16GB installed, many programs running and several tabs open, but really, everything is at idle and still showing 25% Memory utilization. BTW, there is nothing wrong with RAM utilization being high. It is when the CPU utilization is high when the system should be idle, that's a problem.

In your second set of screen shots, I don't see any problems there either. Note your first image. It shows you have 27244344Kb of available memory. That's over 27GB available out of your 32GB installed. Nothing wrong with that!

I think all looks pretty good from here.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

Since Im currently using Windows 10, I thought security essentials was only on windows 7, is that true?

Windows Defender is an enhanced version of MSE and is only on W8/W10.

I don't see any problems in any of your screen shots in your first post. The most I see is just 14.4%. I'm sitting here with 16GB installed, many programs running and several tabs open, but really, everything is at idle and still showing 25% Memory utilization. BTW, there is nothing wrong with RAM utilization being high. It is when the CPU utilization is high when the system should be idle, that's a problem.

In your second set of screen shots, I don't see any problems there either. Note your first image. It shows you have 27244344Kb of available memory. That's over 27GB available out of your 32GB installed. Nothing wrong with that!

I think all looks pretty good from here.

Okay dokey, I guess I'm all set then. :) Do you think it was because of the improved memory management in the Windows 10 anniversary update? I couldn't remember the last time Windows improved the memory management since Windows 7.
CPU ultilization being high when the system should be idle? Is there anyway to do that?

Hmm....maybe I might try out other browsers and use the dropbox website if it does the same thing since I guess it might be a chrome issue but I'm not sure. At least I'm glad things are looking good.

On the other hand, have you ever experienced where the windows defender took longer to launch when I click the startup icon of windows defender. Clicking the shortcut icon of it works fine. I'm just wondering whats the cause of it?

 

[Digerati]

Microsoft is constantly working to improve memory management. There have been several improves throughout W7, with W8, W8.1 and with W10.

CPU ultilization being high when the system should be idle? Is there anyway to do that?

I don't understand either question. CPU utilization should never be high when the system is idle. And I don't know what you mean by, "is there anyway to do that"?

But note there is a difference between the user being idle and the system being idle. It is common for Windows and security programs to do housekeeping and scanning chores when the user is idle.

Hmm....maybe I might try out other browsers and use the dropbox website if it does the same thing

Does what thing? What exactly are you seeing that you think is wrong?

I note svchost is tagging taskhostw.exe and others have reported issues with sleep mode causing that. While 700MB is high - not sure I would call that whopping.

I might run sfc /scannow and see if it clears.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

Microsoft is constantly working to improve memory management. There have been several improves throughout W7, with W8, W8.1 and with W10.

CPU ultilization being high when the system should be idle? Is there anyway to do that?

I don't understand either question. CPU utilization should never be high when the system is idle. And I don't know what you mean by, "is there anyway to do that"?

But note there is a difference between the user being idle and the system being idle. It is common for Windows and security programs to do housekeeping and scanning chores when the user is idle.

Hmm....maybe I might try out other browsers and use the dropbox website if it does the same thing

Does what thing? What exactly are you seeing that you think is wrong?

I note svchost is tagging taskhostw.exe and others have reported issues with sleep mode causing that. While 700MB is high - not sure I would call that whopping.

I might run sfc /scannow and see if it clears.

I'd apologized for the bad grammar. >< Here, let me rephrase it for you.

"What I mean is that is there a way to STOP the CPU for utilizing too high during idle?"

As for the other question, let me rephrase it for you too.

"I guess I'll switch to Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Edge and see if the memory leak occurs again during the file uploads on Dropbox website".

Does both of those revised questions make sense to you now? :smile9:

Anyways...Yeah, I can try the sfc /scannow test. During the troubleshooting about the memory leak, I did ran SFC /scannow yesterday and it found corrupted files and the SFC fixed it sucessfully. Afterwards, I ran that thing three times and all it tells me that SFC did not find any violations. I've uploaded the CBS.log about the corrupted files being repaired in the attatchment below.

Right now, I completed the sfc /scannow and it says, "Windows did not find any integrity violations". So that means its all cleared up, but that doesn't seem to fix the Windows Defender took long to launch when opening the Windows Defender startup icon though.

 

[Digerati]

"What I mean is that is there a way to STOP the CPU for utilizing too high during idle?"

My problem is, I am trying to understand where this question is coming from. If the CPU utilization is high, it is NOT idle. Something is running and consuming CPU cycles. But none of your screen shots show high CPU utilization.

Also, memory leaks happen when a program fails to release memory when the program ends or no longer needs it. It typically results in memory consumption continually rising to the point so much RAM is being used, the system slows to crawl or even halts.

How long does it take for the WD control panel to open? I just tried it 3 times on my system. Once was almost immediate. The other two times took about 5 and 9 seconds for the window to appear. And I have a pretty fast system with SSDs. I suspect it has to do with exactly what the program is doing when you attempt to open it. It could be checking for updates, scanning disks, scanning memory, checking status, or more.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

"What I mean is that is there a way to STOP the CPU for utilizing too high during idle?"

My problem is, I am trying to understand where this question is coming from. If the CPU utilization is high, it is NOT idle. Something is running and consuming CPU cycles. But none of your screen shots show high CPU utilization.

Also, memory leaks happen when a program fails to release memory when the program ends or no longer needs it. It typically results in memory consumption continually rising to the point so much RAM is being used, the system slows to crawl or even halts.

How long does it take for the WD control panel to open? I just tried it 3 times on my system. Once was almost immediate. The other two times took about 5 and 9 seconds for the window to appear. And I have a pretty fast system with SSDs. I suspect it has to do with exactly what the program is doing when you attempt to open it. It could be checking for updates, scanning disks, scanning memory, checking status, or more.

As for Windows Defender, I run Windows Defender (i.e. from the Windows Defender startup icon) and I get the exact loading times as you have around like 9 seconds props. The first time I ran it, it loads up immediately just like you said. :) You're probably right that it might have something to do with the program checking for stuff before it opens. That's pretty new to me and I've used this anti-virus program since I honestly don't like how some of the third party anti-virus programs are filled with bloatware its definitely a snake oil.

As for the question, sorry for the major confusion. I reread your first post and now I'm stupid. You're probably right! I check my screenshots and the utilization was at 0% this whole time, while svchost.exe is hogging the ram. Oops! ><

After I reboot the pc, svchost.exe sits around 19.7mb. Why is svchost.exe using a huge ram resource is a mystery. I dunno how it started in the first place. If I experience this again, I'll let you know. Now that I read your paragraph on what the memory leaks meant, it makes a whole lot of sense. I understand that too much high ram consumption when its near max slows down the pc and the 20% of ram usage (i.e. around 6gb after I closed down Chrome and some other opened programs but the ram usage doesn't decrease) kinda worries me if I encountered a possible memory leak which is why I created this thread.

Last night, I used the dropbox website to upload some more files and the ram consumption is increasing slowly. Last time I checked, it was around 15% around like 4.8gb of ram. Chrome is the only program that is open, so I closed it. I check the ram usage again, and it still sits around 4.8gb of ram. Still trying to figure this one out though...Last build before the windows anniversary update, the ram usage was around 10.6% (i.e. 3.5gb of ram with just hwinfo64 program opened). Right now, as I'm typing this the ram usage is around 3.9gb of ram usage when I'm currently using Chrome with 2 tabs open, one is this thread and the other is dropbox website. Other apps I'm currently using was the file explorer, task manager, and an image opened with Irfanview.

At least I'm good about this situation, but the slowing increase of ram usage is kinda bothered me though.

 

[Digerati]

You say svchost is hogging the RAM, it is still less than 1GB at its worse. 19.7Mb is almost nothing.

Chrome is the only program that is open, so I closed it.

Well, Windows itself is running, so is your security. Check Task Manager. Lots of things were running. You might try booting into Safe Mode and checking your RAM consumption.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

You say svchost is hogging the RAM, it is still less than 1GB at its worse. 19.7Mb is almost nothing.

Chrome is the only program that is open, so I closed it.

Well, Windows itself is running, so is your security. Check Task Manager. Lots of things were running. You might try booting into Safe Mode and checking your RAM consumption.

Yeah, the funny thing is that svchost.exe just stays there and never increasing which is odd.

Good idea! I just booted into safe mode and the ram starts around between 1.0gb to 1.1gb when I used task manager. I began opening up steam, chrome with alot of tabs open, task manager, and spotify and the memory consumption goes up around 3.5gb of ram. After I closed up all the apps, the ram goes back down to 1.2gb of ram. So I guess thats good since the drivers arent enabled in safe mode. So is there anything else you want me to do?

 

[Digerati]

the funny thing is that svchost.exe just stays there and never increasing which is odd.

It is when it keeps rising and never goes back down that it would be odd.

I don't know of anything else you can do other than maintaining normal "practicing safe computing" discipline. That is, keep Windows and your security updated, avoid risky behavior like visiting illegal porn and gambling sites, don't participate in illegal filesharing via Torrents and P2P sites, and avoid being "click happy" on unsolicited links (especially in popups), attachments and downloads.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

the funny thing is that svchost.exe just stays there and never increasing which is odd.

It is when it keeps rising and never goes back down that it would be odd.

I don't know of anything else you can do other than maintaining normal "practicing safe computing" discipline. That is, keep Windows and your security updated, avoid risky behavior like visiting illegal porn and gambling sites, don't participate in illegal filesharing via Torrents and P2P sites, and avoid being "click happy" on unsolicited links (especially in popups), attachments and downloads.

Oh okay...Well, thanks for the help! :)

I did update some of the apps that need updating such as logitech gaming software and decide to test out using Battle.net app, Overwatch, and Google Chrome. After I've finished playing overwatch and close out battle.net and google chrome, the ram returned to 10% i.e 3.1gb/3.2gb which is really much better than it was a few days ago, but I'll give it a week to make sure no memory leaks occur again. :)

Yup, I know I'll avoid any of that stuff because I only went to the sites that I'd trust such as Steam, Youtube, and Twitch.tv. I still have malwarebytes very handy.

 

[Digerati]

I still have malwarebytes very handy

Yeah, regardless your primary antimalware solution, I think everyone should have MBAM as a supplemental scanner - just to ensure the user (always the weakest link in security) or the primary solution did not let something slip by.

I note there have been a lot of updates to Windows 10 lately. It might take a few days for all those to "settle in" with Indexing and other "background" processes.

And remember, even if you avoid the risky sites and stick to the well-known sites, even legitimate sites can and do get hacked and compromised. So don't trust everything you see that's clickable just because it is on a legitimate site. And if you have other users, especially totally invincible, it never happens to me teenagers, make sure they are up on "practicing safe computing" too.

 

[RyougaLolakie]

I still have malwarebytes very handy

Yeah, regardless your primary antimalware solution, I think everyone should have MBAM as a supplemental scanner - just to ensure the user (always the weakest link in security) or the primary solution did not let something slip by.

I note there have been a lot of updates to Windows 10 lately. It might take a few days for all those to "settle in" with Indexing and other "background" processes.

And remember, even if you avoid the risky sites and stick to the well-known sites, even legitimate sites can and do get hacked and compromised. So don't trust everything you see that's clickable just because it is on a legitimate site. And if you have other users, especially totally invincible, it never happens to me teenagers, make sure they are up on "practicing safe computing" too.

Indeed!

Yeah, there was a windows update around two days ago and I hope things will get settle down. Thats what I'd called it teething for Windows, especially new os builds. xD

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about some legit websites got hacked and compromised. I'd changed my passwords sometimes which is really good as well as the two step verification process for extra security. I remember one time, around a few years ago, I get like a bunch phished steam user accounts wanted to add me and I blocked them because those bots will automatically text you with these phished links that will steal your login info. Thank god I didn't click those links. Its definitely a no-no for sure! LOL! Oh well, I'll make sure my family are up to "practice sade computing" also. :)

 

[Willy2]

- Total memory usage is ~ 3.7 GB or ~ 12% and the memory leak is only ~ 2%. Even with the cache memory included total memory doesn't exceed say 30%. I that regard I wouldn't worry too much.
- If you REALLY want to get rid of that memory leak of ~ 700 MB then install PcWinTech's Cleanmem. it reduces memory usage every 15 minutes and it can (temporarily) collapse the filecache. Cleanmem tries to push as much pages to the memory cache.

 

[satrow]

I used to use Cleanmem occasionally, very rarely was it set to auto. Memory leaks are something you really ought to keep your eye on, these days, I've moved to Memory Cleaner by Koshy John, I don't use it daily or on auto, 2-3 times per day is plenty for me. Memory Cleaner - Software - Koshy John

On the odd occasion when I really want to dump all caching, etc. RAMMap (Sysinternals) is the business - but I'm not recommending it for regular/frequent usage.

 

[Willy2]

- Tried that software as well. But I like Cleanmem more because it's "kicked into action" by Task Scheduler and then it won't run in the background, using up resources.

 

[Digerati]

I have never found a need to use a memory cleaner. Windows is actually excellent at memory management. If there's a memory leak, it is due to some misbehaving 3rd party program, not Windows. And yes, RAMMap is excellent to help determine which one.

I typically go for many days, even several weeks without rebooting - usually only when needed to complete some Windows Update. If I really feel I need to clear something stuck in memory, if Task Manager won't do it, I will manually reboot. But frankly, I cannot remember the last time that was needed. It could easily have been way back with an XP system.

It seems to me a memory cleaner is a symptom fixer, not a problem fixer. I'd rather find and fix the problem.