In this article, we’ll explain exactly what the HP System Event Utility is, what it does, and how to disable or update it depending on your needs.

What Is HP System Event Utility?

HP System Event Utility is software that comes pre-installed on Hewlett-Packard (HP) laptops and PCs. The purpose of the HP System Event Utility process is to enable special function keys and hotkeys on supported operating systems.

HP System Event Utility works alongside the HP Hotkey Support Driver to make sure that your PC recognizes specific key presses. This means that it needs to run in the background, and should use a small amount of system resources to do so.

Is HP System Event Utility Malware?

If your HP System Event Utility program is causing high CPU usage, it’s recommended that you check for malware on your device. Some malware and viruses are designed to mimic legitimate processes (like the HP System Event Utility), so you may have malware and not even know it.

However, HP System Event Utility may be causing excessive resource usage for another reason. For example, its files may have become corrupted, or there may be a temporary glitch causing it to malfunction.

If you scan your PC with antivirus software and it’s clean, we recommend that you check whether you’re using the latest version of the HP System Event Utility. We’ll explain how to do so below.

Is it Safe to Remove HP System Event Utility?

Disabling or removing the HP System Event Utility can cause many functions to stop working. If you disable it, custom keyboard shortcuts, special function keys, and other crucial system events will no longer work as designed. For example, you might not be able to adjust your volume.

For this reason, we don’t recommend removing the HP System Event Utility unless it’s absolutely required. Instead, it’s better to try and update (or reinstall) HP System Event Utility to the latest version. This should remove bugs and enhance its compatibility.

How to Update HP System Event Utility

HP recommends that users update the HP System Event Utility software to version 1.4.33 or higher. To do so:

1. Open the Start Menu, type “Control Panel”, and select Control Panel.

2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a Program.

3. In the Programs and Features window, scroll down and check HP System Event Utility. If it’s version 1.4.33 or later, you don’t need to worry. If it’s a version lower than 1.4.33, head to the HP Support page and download the latest HP System Event Utility Windows installer.

How to Remove HP System Event Utility

If the HP System Event Utility is the latest version, but it’s still causing problems with your computer, then you could try removing it. While this will affect your computer’s functions, it might be better in the long run (or at least help you troubleshoot more potential fixes).

Here are a few ways to remove the HP System Event Utility:

1. Disable HP System Event Utility in Task Manager

The first thing to try is temporarily disabling HP System Event Utility and checking if the problem has gone away. This is especially useful when the HP System Event Utility Host is preventing another app from working (like online examination programs).

To temporarily disable HP System Event Utility:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Find and right-click HP System Event Utility Host and select End Task. If the problem is resolved, then HP System Event Utility is likely at fault and you could consider removing it altogether.

3. You can also disable the HP System Event Utility from starting up with your PC. Select the Startup tab, right-click HP System Event Utility, and select Disable.

2. Uninstall Via Apps and Features

The easiest way to uninstall HP System Event Utility is via Windows’ apps list:

1. If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, press the Windows key + X and select Apps and Features. If you’re using an older Windows operating system (like Windows Vista or 8.1), open the Programs and Features window as above.
2. Scroll down and find HP System Event Utility in the list of programs. Select it, then click Uninstall.

3. Uninstall Using the Uninstaller

If you can’t uninstall HP System Event Utility using the first method, HP has released an executable file that uninstalls the program for you. To use it:

1. Open the folder where HP System Event Utility is installed. To find this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, right-click HP System Event Utility and select Open file location.

3. Find and double-click the uninstaller. This usually has a file name like uninst000.exe or uninstaller.exe.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the software.

Contact HP Support

Occasionally, Microsoft and HP users report that they are unable to uninstall HP System Event Utility because of a random error. If this happens to you, you’ll have to contact HP support at www.hp.com and explain the issue to them. Hopefully, they’ll provide a solution that gets your PC up and running once again.

In this article, we’ll explain what the LSALSO.exe process is, why it causes high CPU usage, and how to fix it.

What is LSALSO.exe?

LSALSO.exe (or LSA Isolated) is a legitimate Windows executable file that’s associated with Microsoft’s Credential Guard & KeyGuard process. It’s an essential process known as a “trustlet”. This is a secure process that helps the Windows operating system complete system calls.

LSALSO.exe exists in a secure environment called Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) as an Isolated User Mode (IUM) process. VSMs are a security feature introduced in Windows 10 that ensures that processes within different Virtual Trust Levels (VTLs) can’t access memory in other VTLs. Essentially, this prevents inappropriate access (protecting against malware and other security issues).

The Local Security Authority (LSASS) manages system policy, user authentication, and handles sensitive data like password hashes and Kerberos keys. The LSALSO.exe process ensures that the system can communicate between different VTLs. In short, LSALSO.exe runs in VTL1 and shares encrypted communication with LSASS.exe in VTL0, preventing malicious code from running in VTL0.

Why Does LSALSO.exe Have High CPU Usage?

While LSALSO.exe is a secure and trusted Microsoft Windows process, it’s often associated with high CPU usage. This is usually caused when drivers or other applications try to load a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file into LSALSO.exe. Occasionally during this process, the system destabilizes, causing increased system usage.

However, there are other potential causes of high CPU usage in LSALSO.exe, including,

1. Malware. Hackers often design malware to masquerade as system executable files. If your system has been infected with malware that’s disguised as LSALSO.exe, all you’ll see is increased CPU usage linked to that executable.
2. Corrupted system files. File corruption and other common glitches can cause processes like LSALSO.exe to malfunction.
3. Outdated drivers. Increased CPU usage in LSALSO.exe is often caused by drivers that are trying to load their programs. Updating old drivers can resolve this issue.
4. An overloaded system. Trying to run too many processes at once can lead to high CPU usage.

How to Fix LSALSO.exe High CPU Usage

Here are 5 ways to fix the LSALSO.exe process when it’s causing high CPU usage:

1. Verify the LSALSO.exe Process

The first step is to make sure whether the LSALSO.exe process is legitimate or not. To do so:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Right-click LSALSO.exe and select Properties.

3. Select the Details tab and ensure that next to “Copyright”, it says Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. If it says something else here, it’s likely malware masquerading as the real process.

Either way, it’s a good idea to scan your PC for potential malware and viruses. Open your antivirus software and scan your PC. If you don’t have a third-party antivirus installed, you can use Windows Defender as follows:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.

3. Select Windows Security.
4. Choose Virus & threat protection.

5. Select Virus & threat protection.

6. Choose Quick scan.

2. Use the Process of Elimination to Find the Cause

Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to use the Windows Debugging Tools to check for the causes of LSAISO.exe CPU spiking. This means that you’ll have to use the process of elimination to remove applications and drivers that could be at fault.

The first step is to disable as many applications as possible until the LSALSO.exe file stops spiking. To do so:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Select the Processes tab, then scroll through the list.
3. Right-click each task and select End Task. Focus on non-Windows processes to avoid causing additional issues.

If ending a certain task stops the LSALSO.exe from spiking, you know what you’re dealing with. It may be a one-off, in which case you won’t need to do anything. However, if it happens again (with the same process), you should update or uninstall that application to prevent future incidents.

3. Update Your Drivers

If the LSALSO.exe task is still showing high CPU usage, it’s time to disable or manually update your drivers.

To do so:

1. Press Ctrl + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter. This will open the Device Manager.

3. Scroll through and expand each category. Then, right-click on each application and select Disable driver, then check whether LSALSO.exe still has high CPU usage.
4. If you find the application at fault, right-click it and select Update driver. Select Automatically find drivers, and let the wizard complete the installation.

4. Check for Queued APCs

While you can’t use Windows’ debugging tools to find faulty applications, you can use them to determine whether a driver is at fault.

First, download and install the Windows Debugger (WinDbg). If your version of Windows is prior to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, you’ll need to install Visual Studio and download the right version of the Windows Driver Kit (WDK).

Next, you need to create a kernel memory dump during the CPU spike. This will help you determine which driver is at fault.

To do so:

1. Download the Sysinternals Suite.

2. Unpack the NotMyFault.exe kernel dump tool.

3. Open the Control Panel.
4. Select System and Security.

5. Select System.

6. Select Advanced system settings.

7. In the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, select Settings.

8. In the Startup and Recovery dialog box, select Kernel memory dump.

9. Note the Dump File location, then select OK.

10. Run WinDbg.exe as an administrator.
11. Select File > Settings.
12. Select Debugging settings.
13. Next, you need to tell the debugger where to look for its symbol file path. Add the following path next to “Default symbol path” and select OK: https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols

14. Select the File menu then select Open dump file. If it doesn’t open, make sure you run WinDbg as an administrator and manually browse for the file. It’s located in C:\Windows.

15. Browse to the Dump File location that you noted previously and select Open. Make sure that the .dmp file here has been created today by checking the date in Properties.
16. Back in WinDbg.exe, in the Command window, type “!apc” and press Enter.

17. Analyze the dump file and look for “LSALSO.EXE”. If a driver is listed under LSALSO.exe, it will appear as “Problem Driver.sys (with its actual name in place of “Problem Driver”).” If a driver is listed here, it means that it’s created an APC queue. To fix it, reinstall the driver or contact the driver manufacturer to troubleshoot further.

If no driver is listed under LSALSO.exe, it means there are no queued APCs.

5. Reset Windows

If the above methods didn’t help you resolve the high CPU usage issue, you could try resetting Windows to its factory defaults. Often, this fixes any residual issues with drivers and other applications and returns the LSALSO.exe process to its default state.

Check out our in-depth guides on how to factory reset Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Reduce CPU Usage For Better Results

There’s nothing worse than having a random process chew up your system resources for no obvious reason. Hopefully, this troubleshooting guide has helped you resolve your issues with LSALSO.exe and get your PC running like normal once again.

Some common reasons your PC freezes up on boot are that you’ve attached a faulty device to your PC, Windows’ system files are corrupted, your installed drivers are outdated, you have a malicious app installed on your machine, and more.

1. Unplug Unnecessary Devices From Your PC

If your PC has started freezing after you attached a device to your machine, that device might be faulty. Such hardware components cause your computer to malfunction in many ways, including causing the entire system to freeze up on start.

In this case, remove all the extra hardware devices you’ve attached to your computer. Such devices may include an external webcam, joystick, or anything that isn’t a keyboard or mouse.

When you’ve unplugged those extra devices, reboot your PC and see if your system still freezes up.

2. Use Windows Startup Repair

When Windows fails to start or experiences other startup problems, you can use a built-in system utility to fix your issues. Enter Windows Startup Repair, a tool that allows you to find and resolve issues with your PC’s startup.

If your machine has already triggered a blue screen where you see the Troubleshoot option, skip to the fifth step below.

1. Launch Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select System > Recovery in Settings.
3. Choose Restart now next to Advanced startup on the following screen.

4. Select Restart now to reboot your PC.
5. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair to begin repairing your machine.

3. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Windows’ memory issues can cause your PC to freeze, as your system can’t work with your volatile memory to store temporary files. In this case, use a built-in Windows utility to detect and resolve your memory problems.

1. Access your PC’s Start menu.
2. Find and launch Windows Memory Diagnostic.

3. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) in the tool.

4. Let the tool reboot your machine and resolve memory-related issues.

4. Disable Fast Startup on Your PC

The Fast startup feature allows your Windows PC to turn on faster. The feature does so by putting your PC in hibernation instead of fully shutting down the machine. Sometimes, this functionality causes your machine to freeze up on startup.

In this case, toggle off the feature and see if that resolves your issue. You can turn the feature back on any time you want.

1. Launch Control Panel on your PC.
2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
3. Select Choose what the power buttons do in the left sidebar.

4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top.
5. Disable the Turn on fast startup (recommended) option.

6. Select Save changes at the bottom.

5. Fix Windows 11’s Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can cause many Windows 11 features not to work or malfunction. Your startup freeze problem may be the result of bad system files. In this case, you can use your PC’s built-in SFC (System File Checker) tool to find and fix all your broken system files.

This tool runs from a Command Prompt window. You can launch a CMD window from your PC’s Start menu or the Advanced options screen.

1. Open the Start menu, find Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Choose Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
3. Type the following command on the CMD window and press Enter. This command downloads the required files to fix your system’s broken files.
   
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

4. Next, run the following command to begin repairing your system’s corrupted files: sfc /scannow
5. Reboot your PC when your broken system files are fixed.

6. Update Windows 11 and Device Drivers

Outdated Windows or driver versions can cause your machine to malfunction in many ways. It’s possible you’re using an old Windows or driver version, causing your system to freeze up on boot.

In this case, update Windows as well as your drivers to possibly fix your issue.

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select Windows Update in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Check for updates on the right pane.

4. Download and install all the available updates.
5. Restart your PC.

The above procedure updates your installed drivers as well. However, run a manual driver update check for your graphics card to possibly update any missing drivers:

1. Open Start, find Device Manager, and launch the utility.
2. Select Display adapters, right-click your adapter, and choose Update driver.

3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
4. Allow Device Manager to find and install the available drivers.
5. Reboot your PC.

7. Restore Your System to a Restore Point Created in the Past

Sometimes, the changes you make to your PC end up causing your system features not to work. You may have changed an option on your PC, which has affected your system adversely.

In this case, use Windows’ built-in System Restore tool to undo your changes and restore your system to a restore point created in the past.

1. Open Start, find Recovery, and select the item in the search results.
2. Choose Open System Restore on the following page.
3. Select Next on the tool’s first page.
4. Choose the most recent point on the list and select Next.

5. Choose Finish to start restoring your PC.

8. Clean Boot Your Windows 11 PC

If your PC continues to freeze on startup, one or more of your installed apps may be the culprit. You may have installed a malicious app that’s causing your system to stop responding on boot. In this case, verify if an installed app is causing the problem by clean booting your Windows PC.

We’ve written a guide on that topic, so check that out to learn how to boot your PC without loading external apps. If your PC doesn’t freeze when you clean boot the system, your installed apps are likely the culprit. In this case, uninstall those apps by heading into Settings > Apps > Installed apps on your machine.

Unfreezing a Frozen Windows 11 PC Using Various Ways

Many items can cause your Windows 11 PC to freeze up on startup. If you’re unsure of the exact cause of the issue, follow the methods outlined above from top to bottom to possibly resolve your issue. These methods cover all the possible items that may be causing your problem.

Once you’ve resolved the issue, your PC will turn on just as it should.

But what if you’re greeted with a “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error when you attempt to invoke the Group Policy Editor?

Home edition users of Windows 10/11, take note—the Group Policy Editor is not available in your version. As for Pro users, if you encounter this error, it could signal bugs or system issues.

This troubleshooting guide will walk you through multiple suggestions and solutions to fix gpedit.msc not found issues in Windows 10 and 11.

1. Check Your Windows 10/11 Version

Before diving into technical troubleshooting, it’s essential to determine the version of your Windows installation. The Group Policy Editor is not included in Windows 10/11 Home, and accessing it on these versions will result in an inevitable “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error.

Here’s how to quickly check your Windows version:

1. Press the Windows Key + R—this opens the Run dialog box.
2. Type winver and press Enter. A small window will pop up, displaying information about your Windows version.
3. Look for “Windows 10 Home” or “Windows 11 Home.” If you see this, the Group Policy Editor is unavailable on your operating system.

If you use the Home edition of Windows 10 or 11, you’ve got two methods to get your hands on the Group Policy Editor:

• Method One: Upgrade to the Pro edition of Windows. It will cost you $100.
• Method Two: Add the Group Policy Editor via the command-line console. It’s quick and completely free—continue reading.

If you’re a Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise user but still face the error, skip the next section and work on the troubleshooting techniques below.

2. Add the Group Policy Editor (Windows 10/11 Home Only)

If you’re on Windows 10/11 Home and reluctant to upgrade to the Pro edition, you’ve got a workaround that lets you enable the Group Policy Editor. It involves using the command-line console to fetch and install the files required for the application to function.

Warning: The following technique should be used with caution. The Group Policy Editor is not designed for Home editions of Windows, and using it this way may lead to unexpected behavior.

If you want to proceed:

1. Open the Start menu, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
2. Select Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) dialog.
3. Execute the commands below one after the other:

• FOR %F IN (“%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum”) DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:”%F”)
• FOR %F IN (“%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum”) DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:”%F”)

4. Exit the Command Prompt console.
5. Attempt to open the Group Policy Editor. It should appear right away.

3. Restart Your Computer

If you encounter the “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error despite running Windows 10/11 Pro, the simplest solution is to restart your desktop or laptop.

The process clears the system memory, resets background processes, and performs a basic check on system files. This helps fix minor glitches and conflicts blocking the Group Policy Editor from opening. It also resolves issues stemming from Fast Startup.

To reboot Windows, open the Start menu, select Power, and choose Restart.

4. Update Windows 10/11

Keeping Windows 10/11 Pro up-to-date is not just about having the latest features; it’s also a critical step in maintaining system stability and fixing known issues. If the “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error pops up despite a system reboot, it might be due to a bug that Microsoft has already addressed in a subsequent update.

To check for and install new Windows updates:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates. If updates are available, select Download and Install.

Updating Windows also bolsters security and improves performance, so keeping your system updated regularly is good practice.

5. Run an SFC and DISM Scan

If the “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error persists, it’s time to deploy the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Service and Management (DISM) command-line utilities. This repairs corrupt or missing system files, which could be the reason behind the problem.

Here’s how to use the SFC and DISM tools:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell/Terminal (Admin).
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This initiates the System File Checker—it can take some time to complete.
3. Once the SFC scan is complete, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in the Command Prompt and press Enter. The DISM scan will begin, and like the SFC scan, it may take a while, if not longer.

6. Perform an Anti-Malware Scan

In some cases, the “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error on Windows 10/11 Pro can result from malicious software interfering with system files. To rule out this possibility, perform an anti-malware scan immediately. Windows Security, which comes integrated with Windows, should help you do that.

Here’s how to run a scan using Windows Security:

1. Open the Start menu, type Windows Security, and select Open.
2. Select Virus & Threat Protection on the sidebar
3. Select Scan Options.
4. Pick the Full scan.
5. Select Scan now.

Once the scan is complete, follow the prompts to remove or quarantine malicious software if found. Try a dedicated malware removal utility like Malwarebytes for even better results.

7. Factory-Reset Windows 10/11

When all else fails, a factory reset could be the ultimate solution to the “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc” error on Windows 10/11 Pro. This action reverts your system to its original state, eliminating configuration issues and corrupted files that might be causing the error.

Warning: Factory resetting Windows 10/11 wipes all data on the system partition (except for personal files), so back up everything on your PC before you begin.

To perform a factory reset:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
3. Select Reset PC.
4. Pick a reset option. Keep my files erases all apps and settings but retains personal files; Remove everything wipes all data and reinstalls the system software from scratch.

5. Choose a method to reinstall Windows—Cloud download takes longer but installs the latest and most stable version of Windows; Local reinstall uses existing data to reinstall the operating system.

Once the factory reset is complete, your system will be in a new state. The chances are you can now try accessing the Group Policy Editor without encountering the error.

For comprehensive step-by-step instructions, refer to our guides on factory resetting Windows 10 and 11.

You’ve Resolved the Gpedit.msc Error on Windows

Resolving the “Windows Cannot Find gpedit.msc” error requires a systematic approach. From verifying your Windows version to diving into built-in repair tools and, as a last resort, resetting your system to factory settings, the above solutions should help you get the Group Policy Editor up and running again.

Remember, the Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool; with it comes the capability to make significant changes to your system. Be careful and understand the implications of the settings you modify.

HP has a user-centric process for downloading and installing printer drivers, helping you set up and customize it to your workflow.

Download and Install Drivers Using Windows Update

You can quickly download and install HP printer drivers in Windows 11 with its Windows Update feature.

1. In the Windows Search bar, type Windows Update and then select Windows Update settings from the search results.

2. At the top of this page, click Check for updates. By default, Windows automatically checks for updates on a regular basis. In that case, the Check for updates option won’t appear, so you can skip this step.
3. After Windows finishes checking for updates, scroll down and select Advanced options.

4. Scroll down to the Additional options section and select the Optional updates option.

5. If there are any drivers available for download, you’ll see a Driver updates option. Click it to expand it.

6. Check the box next to the relevant printer driver if one is available, and then click Download & install.

Once the download is complete, the installation will begin automatically. You can follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process. Make sure your HP printer is connected to your computer during this process, either through a USB cable or your local network

Download and Install Drivers From the Manufacturer’s Website

If you’re not seeing the appropriate driver for your HP printer from Windows Update, the next source you’ll want to check is the HP Customer Support website.

1. Access the Software and Driver Download page from the official HP customer support website.
2. Next, search for your product name in the search box to locate your printer. To the right of the search box, HP provides some examples of where you can find the product name on your printer. Or, you can select your printer name from the list of printers.

3. After finding your printer, find the driver you’d like to install and click Download.

Once the driver is downloaded, you’ll need to install it. Click the file to open it, and the wizard will lead you through the process. The installation process may take a few minutes depending on your system and the size of the file. Don’t close the installation window during the process.

Reinstall the Printer

In most modern devices, printer drivers are downloaded and installed automatically. If you’re having trouble with your current drivers and aren’t sure what to do, a fresh start may be the best bet to make sure you have the most up-to-date drivers available.

To do this, go to Printers & Scanners and select Remove next to the printer. From there, select Add device and go through the setup process again. The drivers will then reinstall.

Simplifying HP Printer Driver Installation on Windows 11

Downloading and installing HP printer drivers on a Windows 11 computer is a straightforward process, provided you follow the right steps. Whether you use Windows Update to automatically fetch and install the drivers or download them manually from the HP Customer Support website, both methods are efficient and user-friendly. Remember, using up-to-date drivers is essential for maintaining the optimal performance and functionality of your HP printer.

Occasionally, you may also face issues that necessitate reinstalling the printer entirely. Always ensure your printer is correctly installed and configured for your specific needs. If you encounter any complications, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from HP Customer Support. After all, the goal is to have a smoothly functioning printer that facilitates your productivity, not hinders it.