Question

wmpnetwk.exe in Windows 7 is constantly working, absorbing large amount of system resources

Asked by: BlueArctos

I'm running Windows 7. I added my iTunes library folder to my Windows 7 music library folder so that I can conveniently enjoy access to my music from network-attached devices (like the XBox). I also added the locations of my RAW pictures to the Windows 7 picture library folder. My file collection is quite large, meaning it takes 20 minutes or more for an xbox to even load and sort through half the available music titles.

On the host machine, I notice in Resource Monitor that wmpnetwk.exe is running more often than not (whether or not ANY device or networked computer is connected/accessing content), sifting through hundreds of thousands of audio, video, and RAW/jpg files. Even if I leave my machine alone for hours, it seems as though I experience only a momentary pause from the system-hogging wmpnetwk.exe. If I actually open Windows Media Player (wmplayer.exe), the system actively slows to an absolute CRAWL. Also, if left on for an extended period (more than half an hour), Windows Media Player often crashes.

I've seen online that some people experience "100% usage" problems when wmpnetwk.exe becomes fixated on a damaged .avi file. Based on the Disk pane in the Resource Monitor, I don't believe wmpnetwk.exe is fixated on any particular file.

Why does Windows need to constantly, CONSTANTLY scan these library folders? Why can't it scan FASTER? (I've tried disabling my virus software's active scanner -- NOD32.) Why does opening WMP cause the system to slow to a crawl? What can I do to fix this?

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Asked On
2009-06-19 at 06:50:22ID24505664
Tags

Windows 7

,

Windows Media Player

,

Networking

,

IO

,

system resources

Topics

Windows 7

,

Windows Media Player

,

Miscellaneous Networking

Participating Experts
2
Points
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: arixsinPosted on 2009-06-19 at 11:41:54ID: 24668906

Chances are that it is actually caused by a damaged media file. It doesn't have to be an AVI, but that is commonly the culprit. I have seen some reports that changing the "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service" service in services.msc to "Manual" instead of "Automatic" may fix the problem. You could find the file in question by moving chunks of your media to somewhere else that is not shared until the problem stops.

 

by: Sheikx800Posted on 2009-07-22 at 05:13:47ID: 24913784

Arixsin is likely correct in the assumption that a damaged media file is causing the problems. I had the exact same issue as you did with my wmpnetwk.exe however I did not have any reasons to have it running so I just killed the system process. Unfortunately not so simple for you.

Because of the affect its having on your PC I would suggest that for the time being you disable it and use another means for sharing around your media. It is very likely that Microsoft have notices this problem and will address it in the final release of Win7. For the time being though we are just going to have to deal with it.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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