This is the same problem as reported here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91512
This happens only when you try to use the Kobo desktop edition Without the reader plugged in. Once you plug-in the kobo e-reader to your usb slot it is o.k.
My guess is that it is polling USB port in a dumb manner, very often. I don't know HOW this gets out of the door without any kind of user testing.