Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working Or High CPU Usage [FIXED]

When attempting to upgrade or install Windows updates, users may encounter the frustrating “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” error.

This error can halt the update process, leaving your system in limbo between updates.

In this article, we explore the causes of this error and provide effective, step-by-step solutions to help you resolve the issue and ensure a smooth update process.

What is the Modern Setup Host?

The Modern Setup Host is a core component of Windows that runs in the background when you are updating or installing Windows. Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working

It is responsible for preparing your system, copying files, and applying updates.

When there’s an issue with this component, it can cause the error message “Modern Setup Host has stopped working” to appear, disrupting the update or installation process.

Common Causes of the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” Error

Several factors can trigger this error:

Insufficient system resources: Lack of hard drive space or inadequate RAM can prevent the Modern Setup Host from operating correctly.
Corrupt system files: Damaged or missing system files can lead to errors in the update process.
Software conflicts: Third-party software, especially antivirus programs, can interfere with the functioning of system processes.
Outdated drivers or Windows version: Sometimes, outdated system drivers or operating system versions can conflict with new updates.

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Solutions to Fix the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” Error

Here are several methods to troubleshoot and resolve the issue: Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working

Method 1: Check free Hard Drive space

Storage space plays a very important role in your Windows upgrade. You could receive the Modern Setup Host has stopped working error due to lack of enough free space in your system partition.

The Media creation Toolkit requires 8GB space to download your machine’s upgrade. Therefore, you require a minimum of 8GB to upgrade your computer.

Although, it is recommended that you keep more than 8GB space. As after the update, you need space for your applications and data.

To make sure you have enough space, you need to check your free hard drive space and delete all the unnecessary data and applications. Here are some tips that you can use.

You can delete unwanted data from your system partition.
You can create a backup of your data on USB flash disk, network storage, cloud storage or any other external storage.

Method 2: Prepare Windows for Upgrade

To resolve the problems caused due to conflicts between different applications in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 you need to do some system changes.

Below are some system changes and procedures mentioned that you need to perform.

Method 2.1 – At first, disable services not related to Microsoft.

Step 1: Together press Windows key + R.

Step 2: Later, type msconfig and press Enter in order to open System Configuration.

Step 3: Now, in services at the bottom left corner click Hide All Microsoft services.

Step 4: After that, at the bottom right corner click Disable All.

Step 5: Finally, click on apply and click OK.

Method 2.2 – Afterwards, disable all the startup programs

For Window 7

Step 1: Simultaneously, press Windows Key + R.

Step 2: Afterwards, type msconfig then press Enter to pen System Configuration.

Step 3: Click on Startup Tab. Then, on the bottom right corner click Disable All.

Step 4: Now, first click on Apply and then OK.

Step 5: Finally, restart your system and then run Windows Upgrade.

For Windows 8 and 8.1

Step 1: Simultaneously, press Windows Key + R.

Step 2: Afterwards, type msconfig then press Enter to pen System Configuration.

Step 3: Click on Startup Tab. In Startup tab click on Open Task Manager.

Step 4: Now, again click on Startup Tab.

Step 5: Later disable all the applications by right-clicking on applications and choosing disable for this time.

Step 6: Afterwards, close Task Manager.

Step 7: At last, restart your computer and run Windows Upgrade.

Method 2.3 – You Have to Change Regional Settings Through Control Panel

For Windows 7

Step 1: At first, press Windows Key + R together.

Step 2: Now, type Control Panel and press Enter to open it.

Step 3: Select View by Category.

Step 4: Click on Clock, Language and region.

Step 5: After that, select Region and Language.

Step 6: Now choose location and under current location select United States.

Step 7: Next, click on Keyboard and Languages and then select Change Keyboards…

Step 8: Afterwards, select General Tab.

Step 9: In Default Input Language choose English (United States).

Step 10: Now, first click Apply then OK and close Control Panel.

Step 11: Finally, restart your Computer System and run Windows Upgrade.

For Windows 8 and 8.1

Step 1: At first, press Windows Key + R together.

Step 2: Now, type Control Panel and press Enter to open it.

Step 3: Select View by Category.

Step 4: Click on Clock, Language and region.

Step 5: After that, select Region.

Step 6: Now choose location and under Home, location select United States.

Step 7: Once done, click Apply and OK.

Step 8: Afterwards, under Clock, Language and Region click on Language to add another Language.

Step 9: Click on Add a Language, choose English and press Open.

Step 10: Now select English (United States) and click Add.

Step 11: After that, in Language section select your previous language and hit Remove.

Step 12: Once done, close Control Panel and restart your computer system.

Step 13: Now, upgrade your system to Windows 10.

Step 14: Finally, enable services, startup programs and change regional settings

Method 3: Create a Bootable USB and Upgrade Your PC to Windows 10

You can try this method. In it, you have to upgrade your Windows to Windows 10 using bootable USB flash drive.

Firstly, you have to create a Windows 10 bootable USB which will be compatible with the computer system.

Now, to boot your machine with USB flash drive, you need to configure BIOS or UEFI. Once done, boot your system with USB flash drive and at last, run upgrade.

Method 4: Run Disk Cleanup and Delete $Windows.~WS folder

If the above methods did not yield you results, there is one more way. It involves running Disk Cleanup and deleting $Windows.~WS folder.

Disk Cleanup is a utility integrated into Windows. It helps to remove unwanted files from your hard disk in order to boost your computer system’s speed.

Firstly, run the Disk Cleanup for your device. Afterwards, you have to delete $Windows.~WS folder from your C drive or from wherever your Windows is installed.

When you upgrade your current Windows to Windows 10 rather than performing clean install Windows 10, then, in your C drive or wherever you Windows is, you will find two hidden folders from which you need to delete the $Windows.~WS one. It will probably solve your issue.

Method 5: Resume Upgrade by Running setupprep.exe

If the methods as mentioned above, do not work for your system, you can try this method. It has been beneficial for so many Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

Here you need to start the upgrade process and running setupprep.exe which will rather resume the previous process that starting the new one. To implement this method, follow the below-given space.

Step 1: Firstly, by using Media Creation Toolkit, run Windows Upgrade.

Step 2: Close the Media Creation Tool or Windows Upgrade after you get the error.

Step 3: Now, simultaneously press Windows Key + R.

Step 4: Afterwards, type C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Windows\sources\setupprep.exe and hit Enter to resume Windows Upgrade.

Step 5: At last, all you need is to wait for the Upgrade process to complete.

Method 6: Use DISM to Repair Windows

You can use DSIM to repair Windows. It is a command line tool which allows you to mount the Windows image file (install.wim).

Then it performs image servicing including installing, uninstalling, configuring and Windows update.

This tool is a part of Windows ADK (Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit). Follow the below-given steps.

Step 1: Firstly, in the Windows search bar, find Powershell. Once found, right-click on ‘Windows Powershell’ and click on Run as Administrator.

Step 2: In the Powershell Window, enter the following command: Repair-WindowsImage-Online–CheckHealth

Step 3: Afterwards, to perform an image scan for corruption copy and paste the below-given command.

Repair-WindowsImage -Online –ScanHealth

Step 4: Now, copy and pasteRepair-WindowsImage -Online –RestoreHealth in the Powershell Window and hit Enter.

It will, in turn, solve your Windows Image issue.

Method 7: Run System File Checker

There is a command line utility integrated into Windows known as System File Checker (SFC). It is used to check system file corruption in your computer system.

Moreover, if SFC finds any issue, it tries to fix it. But, for that, you must be running a console session as Administrator in order to access SFC’s utility.

The additional command SCANNOW in SCF scans the integrity of all the protected system files when possible, repairs the ones with the problem.

Method 8: Move User Folder to the Default Location

One of the reasons that why your Windows Upgrade is not able to continue the procedure is because you have moved your user profile to another location.

Sometimes, when the user switches its user profile location, the process is interrupted.

Therefore, you need to move your User Profile to the default location C:\Users\YourUserProfile. Later, run the Windows Upgrade.

Method 9: Clean Install Window 10

If the methods as mentioned above are tiresome for you and are not working for you, then you can try to clean install Windows 10.

Before that, you need to check that your motherboard and system supports Windows 10 or not. Afterwards, make a list of all the applications that you use.

So, that you can install them back later. At last, create a backup of all your personal data in USB flash drive, external Hard Disk, network or cloud storage. Once done, you can clean install Windows 10.

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Finishing

This article has all the details and methods that you need to know to fix Modern Setup Host has stopped working error. Go through each method carefully.

As they are lengthy, so choose the one that is best and compatible with your problem. One of the above methods will solve the Modern Setup Host has stopped working error.

FAQs About the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” Error

Here are some frequently asked questions about the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” error in Windows, providing you with insights and practical solutions to address this common issue encountered during Windows updates.

1. What is the Modern Setup Host?

The Modern Setup Host is an essential component in Windows that facilitates the installation of updates and operating system upgrades. It runs in the background when you update or install Windows and is responsible for preparing your system, copying files, and applying updates.

2. Why does the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” error occur?

This error can occur for several reasons:

Insufficient system resources: Limited hard drive space or inadequate RAM can prevent the Modern Setup Host from functioning correctly.
Corrupted system files: Missing or damaged files can disrupt the update process.
Interference from antivirus software: Some security programs may mistakenly block or interfere with the update process.
Outdated system drivers or Windows version: Compatibility issues with new updates can cause conflicts, leading to errors.

3. How can I fix the “Modern Setup Host Has Stopped Working” error?

To resolve this error, you can try several troubleshooting methods:

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: This built-in tool can diagnose and fix common issues with Windows Update.
Ensure sufficient disk space: Free up space on your hard drive by deleting unnecessary files or using the Disk Cleanup tool.
Disable antivirus software temporarily: Some antivirus programs might interfere with the update process. Disable your antivirus temporarily and try updating again.
Perform a clean boot: This can help determine if third-party software conflicts are causing the error.
Use the System File Checker tool: Run sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files.
Update drivers and Windows: Ensure all your system drivers and Windows are up to date.

4. How do I run the Windows Update Troubleshooter?

To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Select “Windows Update” and click “Run the troubleshooter.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to let the troubleshooter diagnose and fix issues.

5. What should I do if my hard drive doesn’t have enough space for the update?

If you’re running low on disk space, you can:

Uninstall programs that you no longer use.
Move large files (like photos, videos, and documents) to an external drive or cloud storage.
Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and system files that are no longer needed.

6. Can outdated drivers cause the Modern Setup Host error?

Yes, outdated or incompatible drivers can cause the Modern Setup Host to stop working. It’s important to keep your drivers updated to ensure compatibility with new system updates. You can update drivers through the Device Manager or by downloading the latest versions from the manufacturer’s website.

7. What do I do if none of these solutions work?

If the above solutions do not resolve the error, it may be necessary to:

Restore your system: Use System Restore to revert your computer to a previous state before the problems began.
Reinstall Windows: As a last resort, backing up your files and performing a clean installation of Windows can resolve underlying issues but should be considered carefully.