Windows Live Writer is one of the most popular offline blogging software. This is rather unusual – with the exception of operating systems, most Microsoft products are either useless or have better competitors.
However, Windows Live Writer stands out as an exception. It is used by thousands of bloggers around the world. Being a Microsoft product, it uses the .Net framework cleverly and brings you some superb functionality. Notable features include offline editing and drafting, seamless integration into most blogging softwares (Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal etc.).
WLW is still in beta, which creates some problems for users. An oft-told complaint is that WLW is a resource hog, often causing the system to hang/freeze. This is really irritating. If you have not set WLW to auto-save, you might lose your precious posts.
If you check the Task Manager, the Processes tab will reveal that svchost.exe process is using most of the CPU. This is because Live Writer tries to check for updates online. The solution is to disable the update.
To solve resource-hogging by Live Writer, just follow these easy steps:
- Click “Run…†on the Start menu.
- Type “cmd†and then click “Open†(this will open a Command Prompt windows).
- In the Command Prompt window type the following code:
net stop "Windows Live Setup Service"
Press return key.
sc config "WLSetupSvc" start= disabled
Press return key. - Close the Command Prompt window and any other applications in use.
- Restart your computer.
- Start Writer and use it as you would normally.
This should fix the problem. Atleast it worked for me 
If you have any problems implementing this fix, do let me know through comments.
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WLW tries to update the program using Windows Live Setup service. Hope that solves your problem
“Live Writer tries to check for updates online”
What updates? Program (wlw) or blog updates?
If its the first, I have no problem doing that, or is it the second?
I wonder if update service require that much memory! Anyway nice tip for people in slow connection
I downloaded WLW (despite not liking Microsoft products), but it doesn’t seem to work with WordPress. It works with the abominable “WordPress.com”, I believe, but it doesn’t work with the *real* WordPress. Whatever, I’ll stick with the standard web-based editor and Qumana.
It depends – those with medium to high-end hardware have no problem…..
I had problems on my old PC, but on the new PC, there is no problem whatsoever.
I am using Live Writer, so far I have never experienced any problem
Yeah, I downloaded Live Writer today morning. It seems good, the only problem being invalid XHTML that it generates.
u use Live writer?
tried it but rejected after it couldn’t bear slow dial up