Continuous HD activity: wmiprvse.exe

[beckler]

I get continuous hard disk activity, about once per second, and using Process Monitor I see that it's this program, wmiprvse.exe. I've read if it's in the wrong place it could be a virus, but it's in the 2 proper system folders I think. What do I do about it? Can I just delete it? Really annoying! Thx.

 

[Flakes]

wmiprvse.exe is a windows update porcess, sometimes disableing "Automatic Updates" will stop it from slowing down your PC.

 

[beckler]

Thanks, ok I tried that but no difference. Maybe reinstall is in order...

 

[TonyH_26]

The following fixed the same problem for me . . .

Go to -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

...and then right near the bottom is "Windows Management Instrumentation".

Right-click it and choose "Pause". The process of wmiprvse.exe will stop.
Leave it as “Automatic” and right-click again and "Resume" or “Restart”.