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Resolved Question

How do I remove, modify or rename WmiPrvSe.exe?

Oct 19, 2013 11:40AM PDT

I recently purchased a Gatway computer (yah, stupid thing to do) running Windows 8. I am connected to the Internet by DSL but even my wife is complaining that the internet runs slow.

I checked the performance figures and "WMI Provider Host" is using 40-60% of the CPU with a total CPU usage of all programs at 98-99%. I tried to rename the file WmiPrvSE.exe so that it would not run but I encountered a message that said that action would require a "trusted installer". I even attempted to boot to a flash drive or CD install of "Lucid Puppy" to do the rename under Linux but the BIOS will not allow any boot except to "Windows Boot Manager".

Any ideas or an I going to have a slow Internet forever?

Discussion is locked

The_Okie_Peddler has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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I would not do that.
Oct 19, 2013 11:43AM PDT
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Thanks for the info
Oct 21, 2013 10:46AM PDT

I HATE WINDOWS!!!! Bring back DOS!!!

I followed the link and did some of the recommendations and tried some stuff on my own.

First I had to find the start up information. In Windows 8 it is one of seven tabs accessed through the Task Manager. I went through the list of programs and disabled those that I didn't feel that I needed.

Then I downloaded a malware detector/cleaner and spent 2 hours doing a complete system scan which found 160 questionable issues. I looked over the report and didn't find anything that I could definitely say caused the original problem, so I cleaned up all of them.

After that, I have been trying to force my system to run slow but I couldn't. The WMI file no longer shows up in the Task Manager process tab. While I'm on the Internet the two things that use the most resources are IE and my online shield service, but that is only active as a page is loaded.

It looks like the problem has been solved.

Thanks.

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So I am guessing malware cleanup helped.
Oct 21, 2013 10:55AM PDT