Mds_Stores Mac High CPU

What is mds_stores process

mds_stores is a key process for indexing metadata, and it’s used by the Spotlight app. With mds_stores, you’re able to find the results you need more effectively when searching. While the process consumes CPU space in all cases, it does so in certain situations more than others; minimizing these and doing a Mac performance check are wise.

Why does MDS_stores use high CPU on Mac

The process consumes more CPU if you’ve made significant changes to your computer. For example, you may notice that it’s higher after you’ve updated macOS. If your device has a lot of files, you can similarly expect mds_stores to use more space than would otherwise be the case.

A note from our experts: 

 

You can enhance your MacBook's performance by deleting redundant processes through MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner. That way, mds_stores and other essential elements can run more effectively, even after major changes and updates.

 

Follow these steps to use MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Navigate to Performance > Memory Cleaner.
3. Go to Apps & Processes.
4. Go to the process you want to clear and hover your cursor over it.
5. Confirm your decision.
6. Click on Memory Usage and click on Clean Memory.
7. When the x icon appears, click on it to end the process.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t encounter significant issues after using Memory Cleaner. The processes you see are non-essential.

How to stop mds_stores high CPU on Mac

If you stop mds_stores on Mac, you’ll do one of the best things to make your Mac faster. You can prevent the process from your System Settings this way:

1. Go to Spotlight and search for Activity Monitor.
2. Select CPU and look for mds_stores (and similar file names).
3. Highlight the process and tap the x icon.
4. Confirm your decision when the pop-up window appears.

1. Restart Mac

Restarting your Mac is a temporary way to fix temporary CPU usage spikes, including mds_stores. It’s not a substitute for learning how to clean Mac storage and optimizing your CPU speed, but you should consider this option if you’ve noticed a sudden increase.

Restarting your Mac might also be the best option if you’ve recently updated macOS or downloaded a new app. Here’s the process you need to follow:

1. Navigate to the Apple logo in the top left-hand corner of your screen.
2. Click on the Apple logo to expand the dropdown menu. After doing this, click on Restart.
3. A pop-up window will appear; when it does, you’ve got 60 seconds to confirm that you wish to restart. If you take no action, your computer will do so anyway.
4. Once your device has restarted, enter your login details. Then, check to see if your mds_store CPU usage is lower than before.

2. Disable Spotlight

I don’t recommend disabling Spotlight if you use the tool regularly. In my opinion, it’s the easiest way to find folders and processes that aren’t initially obvious. But if you don’t use Spotlight, you have little reason to keep the tool enabled, especially if mds_stores has high CPU usage.

You can follow these instructions if you don’t want Spotlight to be enabled on your computer:

1. Open System Settings. You can do this via the Apple logo or by opening your App Library.
2. Find the Keyboards tab on the left-hand side.
3. Navigate to and select Keyboard Shortcuts. You’ll find it under Keyboard navigation.
4. Click on Spotlight in the left-hand toolbar.
5. Untick the box next to Show Spotlight search. Then, click on Done. Your changes should take immediate effect; if they don’t, restart your Mac.

3. Stop Spotlight from indexing specific files

If you’re a heavy user, I recommend stopping Spotlight from indexing specific files rather than disabling it altogether. For example, I often ignore most of the results in Spotlight; if I don’t have to see them and my CPU capabilities are greater, it’s a win-win.

Here are the steps you should follow to stop Spotlight from indexing specific files:

1. Navigate to System Settings > Spotlight.
2. Go to the Search results section.
3. Untick everything that you don’t want to be indexed. Disabling websites, Siri suggestions, and tips are three useful starting points. You may also want to turn the Help Apple Improve Search toggle off.

4. Restart Spotlight indexing

Corrupted or stuck index processes can cause mds_storage to be higher than it should be. In these situations, your best option is to restart Spotlight indexing. To do this, you’ll need to access the Terminal app.

Here are all the instructions you need to restart Spotlight indexing:

1. Open the Terminal app.
2. When you’re in the Terminal app, type the following:
   • sudo launchctl unload -w/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
3. Hit the Enter key after entering this command.
4. Type your computer password when Terminal asks you to before restarting Spotlight; you can turn off your computer to do this.
5. Go back into Terminal and type:
   • sudo launchctl -w/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plis
6. When asked, enter your computer password again.

An extra tip from our team: 

 

Other things can control your Mac’s performance, such as how you turn off your device. Understanding whether it’s better to sleep or shut down your Mac is a good idea.

Your complete guide to lowering mds_stores high CPU on Mac

The mds_stores Mac high CPU issue is frustrating, especially if it’s consuming significant space on your device. Thankfully, though, you have plenty of options to reduce it. In some cases, you may find that disabling Spotlight altogether is the easiest option. However, it may also make more sense to restart your Mac or reduce how much Spotlight indexes.

In addition to restarting your device and tweaking Spotlight, you can end the process with MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner. Here, it’s also easy to delete anything else that’s consuming significant CPU space—all within a single interface.