WSAPPX is a background process running on your Windows 10/8 computer as part of the Windows Store and the Microsoft Universal Application Platform.
The “wsappx” process is part of Windows 8 and 10, and you can see it running in the background, or even using a significant amount of CPU and disk resources. It is related to the Windows Store, and Microsoft’s new “Universal” application platform.
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What is wsappx?
The wsappx process includes two separate background services. In Windows 8 and 10, wsappx includes the AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC). In Windows 10, you will also see the Client License Service (ClipSVC). In Windows 8, you have the Microsoft Store Installation Service (WSService) instead of ClipSVC.
If you see the wsappx process running in Task Manager, expand it, and you will see one or both of the subsections running (depending on which version of Windows you are using). These services address the installation, removal, and update of applications in the Windows Store, and ensure that they are properly licensed.
Let’s look at each of these services.
What is AppXSVC?
AppXSVC “deploys” the Store applications. These “Universal Windows Platform” applications are distributed in .AppX packages, hence the name.
In other words, this process is used to install, uninstall and update the Store applications. Windows automatically updates your Store applications in the background, and many of the applications included with Windows – such as E-Mail and Paint 3D – fall into this category.
Traditional Windows desktop applications use CPU and disk resources when you install, remove, or update them as well. The only difference is that when working with applications from the store, you see the features used by AppXSVC instead of the individual program installer.
If you see this process running when you are not installing applications, and even if you never use those applications, Windows is updating them in the background. This also explains why sometimes you can see this process using CPU and disk resources in the background.
What is the Client License Service (ClipSVC)?
In Windows 10, the ClipSVC background service handles “infrastructure support” for the Store. According to Microsoft, apps purchased from the Store on your system “will not behave properly” if you disable it.
This service probably does several different things, which allow Store applications to run properly. According to its name, its duties include license management, which ensures that you can only run applications from the Store for which you paid. This is an anti-piracy feature. In addition, Microsoft has not explained what other features this service offers to Store applications.
In Windows 8, the WSService background service also deals with “infrastructure support” for the Store. In fact, the ClipSVC service in Windows 10 and the WSService in Windows 8 have essentially identical descriptions in the Services interface.
The WSService process seems to be basically the same thing as ClipSVC. It is only named differently in Windows 8. You will not see the WSService process in Windows 10.
Why does Wsappx use so much CPU?
The wsappx service usually only uses a remarkable amount of CPU when your PC is installing, uninstalling or updating the Store applications. This may have happened because you chose to install or uninstall an application, or because the Store is automatically updating applications on your system.
If you do not really care about these included applications, you can configure Windows Store to not automatically update your applications. To do this, open the Store, click the user icon in the upper right corner of the window and select the “Settings” option. Set the “Automatically update applications” slider to the “Off” position.
When you want to update your applications, you can return to the Store, click on the icon of your user profile and select the “Downloads and updates” option. This screen displays all updates to your installed applications and allows you to install them.
This solution prevents the wsappx service from using the CPU to update background applications, although you do not automatically receive the latest updates to the application. When you manually upgrade applications, you still use system resources such as CPU and RAM, but at least you can choose when they are used.
Microsoft frequently updates the applications included with Windows, including E-Mail, Movies and TV, OneNote, Photos, and Calculator. Therefore, we do not recommend disabling this feature if you use any of them.
Can I disable Wsappx?
You can not disable these processes. They do not run automatically in the background. They are thrown as needed and close when they are not needed.
For example, start a Store application, and you’ll see the ClipSVC appear. Open the Windows Store, and you’ll see the AppXSVC appear. Install or uninstall an application and you will see AppX using some system resources to complete the process.
If you attempt to disable the Task Manager wsappx process, Windows warns you that the system will become unusable or shut down. There is also no way to disable wsappx in the Services utility.
Even if you could prevent these processes from running, that would not be a good idea. They are a critical part of Windows 10, and only run when needed. Also, they use very few system resources, at least most of the time.
They only use system resources when you install, uninstall or update a Store application – and you can configure Windows not to do this in the background, if you like.
Is Wsappx a virus?
The wsappx software is a part of Windows 10 itself. There is no case of malware masquerading as the wsappx, AppXSVC, ClipSVC or WSService processes. However, if you’re worried about malware, it’s always a good idea to run a scan with your favorite anti-virus program to see if there’s anything dangerous in your system.
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!