vscode-python repeatedly launching wmic

Environment data

• VS Code version: 1.21.1 x64
• Extension version (available under the Extensions sidebar): 2018.3.1
• OS and version: Win10
• Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 2.7.13
• Type of virtual environment used (N/A | venv | virtualenv | conda | …): NA

Actual behavior

When open to a python file, code with the Python extension enabled is continually launching wmic processes. This in turn backs the wmiprvse.exe service up, to the point where very quickly it’s consuming 100% of the CPU (on one core).

Expected behavior

VSCode shouldnt’ cause my CPU to be fully loaded when nothing’s actually happening

Steps to reproduce:

Install VSCode Install the python extension Open a python file. Watch in taskmgr/process explorer as wmic processes are created repeatedly.

Disable python extension Watch as no further wmic processes are created, and processor returns to idle.

[MikhailArkhipov]

@DonJayamanne - I wouldn’t worry too much. I think we can change default memory control to off (or at least on Windows). In the new analysis engine we have internal control of the memory consumption so the setting won’t be needed eventually.

[derekwbrown]

WMI just doesn’t perform well if you use it frequently (as in poll every 5 seconds). You can get the same information from the performance counters library w/o incurring the wmi perf hit.