I personally choose desktops over laptops why? Because I like powerful machines, laptops are focused on power efficiency which somewhere lacks the performance. When your computers become super slow, we are advised to check Task Manager and search for the items which are making the system slow. “Modern Setup Host”, that’s what consumes the CPU usage on the optimum level making your system performance slower than before.

If the same thing is happing on your system, then let me tell you that you have probably landed on the right post. Here, you will get to know everything about Modern Setup Host and how to fix its issues. By the end of this article, you will also get to know about reducing CPU usage on the computer due to problems associated with Modern Setup Host.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

See also: 11 Simple Tips to Increase Download Speed in Windows 10

What is a Modern Setup Host?

Modern Setup Host runs in the background only when our Windows 10 operating system detects or installs any updates. Also, we are able to run the setup files and upgrade the system is just because of the Modern Setup Host. It is located in C:$Windows.BTSources folder where the Modern Setup Host file is present and also known as self-extracting archive and installer. If Modern Setup Host gets corrupted or malfunctioning, you are unable to upgrade your windows to its latest version.

Many users have encountered issues related to the Modern Setup Host in Windows 10. Following are the most common problem reported by users:

• Modern Setup Host consuming highest CPU usage
• Modern Setup Host stopped working

Sometimes, errors related to Modern Setup Host are associated with Windows Update issues.

Is Modern Setup Host file safe?

Modern Host File is itself developed by Microsoft, but viruses or malware makes the file infected. Sometimes, people download the programs or install the pirated items on their system which then puts their system at risk after installing the programs, that’s the easiest way for the virus to swoop into your system. So it’s important to know whether the setuphost.exe file present on your system is developed by Microsoft or just a virus module.

Here’s how to check setup file properties:

Step 1: Visit C:\$WINDOWS. ~BT\Sources\ where you will get setuphost.exe file. Or type “Setup.exe” in the search bar, right-click on the result page,, and select Open file location.

Step 2: Do a right-click on setuphost.exe and select Properties from the menu list.

Step 3: Now click on Details, and check whether Copyright is owned by ⓒMicrosoft Corporation.

Step 4: Select the Digital Signatures tab and check whether the Name of the signer column represents Microsoft Windows.

If everything is good then assume that there’s nothing wrong with the setuphost.exe file and it is absolutely genuine.

How to Fix issues related to Modern Setup Host

Following are the solutions related to the Modern Setup Host.

Windows Update Troubleshooter

For Windows 10

Step 1: Press Windows + S key to open the windows search bar.

Step 2: Type “troubleshoot” and select Troubleshooting from the results.

Step 3: Visit the right pane and select Windows Update.

Step 4: Click on the Run the Troubleshooter button.

Step 5: Let the troubleshooter analyze the issues.

Step 6: Just follow the instructions given on the screen.

For Windows 7 and 8:

Step 1: Visit Microsoft’s official website and download the troubleshooter.

Step 2: Once the troubleshooter is downloaded, double click on the executable file to run it.

Step 3: Select Windows Update, and click Next.

Step 4: Windows troubleshooter will analyze the issue to fix it.

Disable Background Apps

Also, when multiple unwanted background apps run in the background it can consume more CPU usage. Disabling unwanted background apps is the smart thing you can do. Follow the steps to do so:

Step 1: Visit the Windows Start menu and open Settings.

Step 2: Select Privacy.

Step 3: Under the Privacy tab, select Background apps.

Step 4: Toggle off the apps that you don’t use.

Performing a fresh boot

Sometimes, Modern Setup Host issues happen when background programs are interfering with Windows Updates. If that’s the case, then we need to perform a clean boot on the system. As a result, your system will be able to run only required and necessary drivers and startup programs. here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run.

Step 2: Type “msconfig”, and click on OK.

Step 3: Visit the General tab when the System Configuration window is opened.

Step 4: Deselect Load Startup Items.

Step 5: Now click on the Services tab, and tick the “Hide all Microsoft services” option at the bottom of the window.

Step 6: Select Disable All button.

Step 7: Visit the Startup tab and open Task Manager, or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.

Step 6: Now open the Startup tab, look at the startup items which is enabled, right-click on them,, and select Disable from options.

Step 9: Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.

Step 10: Open the System Configuration window, and click on OK.

Step 11: Restart your pc.

After the system restarts, install the updates again. Modern Setup Host issues will be no more.

Deleting items from the Software Distribution Folder

Software Distribution Folder is used to store the temporary files of Windows Updates. Unwanted and unnecessary files can lead updates to get failed. Here’s how to fix the issue/

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open Run.

Step 2: Paste the following path and click on ok:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Step 3: Select all the items present in the folder by Alt+A.

Step 4: Now press the Delete button on the files.

Step 5: In the pop window, you might get to see the Folder Access Denied message, select the “Do this for all current items” option, and click on Continue.

Step 6: Restart your computer.

Once done, try to install the updates to check if the issue has been resolved.

Perform a DISM Scan

When corrupted or malfunctioning Windows updates detected by Modern Setup Host, it can misbehave. We can resolve this issue with Window’s Development Image Servicing and Management (DSIM) tool. Basically, we will go to if the issue by certain command line. Here’s to do that:

Step 1: Right-click on the Start and select Command Prompt (Admin), or just type “cmd” in the search bar. (Make sure to run Command prompt to run as an administrator.

Step 2: Click on “Yes” to give permission to the prompt.

Step 4: Now, type the following command and press enter:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Checkhealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Check system’s ideal system language

Sometimes problems encounter when the updates do not match Windows operating system’s language (UI language). Here’s how to fix it:

On Windows 10:

Step 1: Visit the Start menu and open Settings.

Step 2: Select Time & Language.

Step 3: Click on Region & Language located in the left-pane.

Step 4: On the right-pane check the language is the same as the default system UI language.

On Windows 7:

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open Run.

Step 2: Type “control” and click on OK.

Step 3: Make the View By option is set to Large icons.

Step 4: Select Region and Language.

Disable Windows Update

This is the valid way to fix the Modern Setup Host issue, this includes disabling Windows Updates. If you decide not to update Windows 10 anymore and stick to the current version, then follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open Run.

Step 2: Type “services.msc” and press ok.

Step 3: Services window will appear, look for Windows updates and right-click on it.

Step 3: From the options, select Properties.

Step 4: Visit the General tab, and make sure to Startup type is set to be disabled.

Step 5: Click on the Stop button.

Step 6: Now click on the Recovery tab, and set the First FDailure option to “Take No Action”.

Step 7: Click on Apply and ok to save the changes.

What if Nothing Works?

All the methods mentioned above are valid fixes, at this point, the Modern Setup Host issue should be get fixed. But even if the issue is not get resolved, you can consider to re-install the entire Windows operating system. It might take some time, but it can resolve the issues related to the Modern Setup Host.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then stay tuned for more info.

See next: Windows 10: Taskbar Not Working (Solved)