Some iTunes processes can cause high CPU usage, resulting in very slow PC response. The processes (distnoted.exe and SyncServer.exe) are related to iPhone sync, and the issue is known about by the Apple community. It is completely safe to kill these processes as long as you do not have an iPhone actively syncing at the time.
The workaround is as follows:
-
Open Task Manager - quickest way to do this is to type Task Manager into the Cortana box next to the Windows Start Menu (bottom left of screen)
- You should see one or both of the following processes using a lot of CPU. You can click the CPU column to sort the highest usage to the top. Assuming these are at the top of the list, proceed to the following steps.
- Select the process distnoted, right click and select End task
- Select the process SyncServer (if available), right click and select End task
The Task Manager screen will appear as follows:
