Windows Modules Installer Worker - high CPU usage

Anonymous
2014-05-03T15:13:42+00:00

Windows Module installer worker is constantly running with very high CPU usage.

My PC has suddenly ground to a halt.

All the latest updates are installed as well.

I'm running Windows 8.1 Pro 64 + update.

Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2014-12-18T22:28:10+00:00

In Windows 8 or 8.1 laptop, sometimes CPU fan run very fast and make noise because Windows Module Installer Worker occupies CPU more than 50%.

In this case, you can solve the problem by changing windows update into manual mode.

How to do it:

  1. Open services.msc (In Windows 8, WindowsKey+R and enter services.msc)
  2. Search "Windows module installer".
  3. Double click the "Windows module installer", and make it manual. It is usually set Automatic.
  4. Search "Windows update".
  5. Double click the "Windows update", and make it manual.
  6. Open Control panel(click the right button of your mouse at the lower left of you display monitor or LCD, e.g., at the Windows logo. and then you can see control panel menu)
  7. Click "Windows update"
  8. In left you can see "Change settings"
  9. Change the setting into "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". It is usually set automatic.
  10. Reboot

The Windows module installer workers cannot bother you anymore.

Important:

Because Windows update is set manual, you MUST check regularly (weekly or monthly) windows update by yourself.

Also, cleaning up your disk may help to reduce CPU usage by windows module installer worker

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Anonymous
2014-05-04T02:51:57+00:00

Hey Trek178 you should check if the PC is under schedule maintainance and try to troubleshoot the windows update to check if there was any problems. I've just got a same problem and troubleshoot it. Now it's over

Hope this may help you

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Anonymous
2015-01-11T07:32:43+00:00

Hi Louise,

Follow the steps given below.

  1. Press and hold the “Windows” button and the “W” button on the keyboard.
  2. In the search box situated in the upper right corner we need to write “Troubleshooting”
  3. Click(left click) on the “Troublesh o oting” icon.
  4. On the upper left corner of the Troubleshooting window we need to click(left click) on “View All
  5. Click (left click) on “System Maintenance”
  6. Click (left click) on “Next” and follow the steps presented on the screen.

Check for the issue and move to next method if you still face this issue.

  1. Press and hold the “Window” button and the “X” button on the keyboard.
  2. After the “Control Panel” is opened click (left click) on “Windows Updates”
  3. Select from the “View” menu in the upper right of the window “Large icons”.
  4. In the left side of the window click (left click) on “Check for updates
  5. After this is finished restart the Windows 8 PC and see if you still have this issue.

Let us know the status of the issue.

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208 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-06T17:58:01+00:00

    is true, the best way to fix this.

    windows automatic update never was trustable, is not trustable today and maybe never will be.

    don't believe in who says the opposite

    people must be slave of fear to think that update will really help us, i work with windows more than 15 years and updates brought me more problems than solution, the best to do is set as MANUAL or DISABLE it (taking updates only with setups) with that, you will take only what you need and know it is working. auto update is a timebomb, sometimes is comes with a killer update, is happened with windows 7 many times and happened with XP too, just wait for it again, is way better wait for what already was tested to use it, using auto update always was suicide!

    for everyone...

    not let it drain your PC, you have a lot of things better to do, and auto update will keep forcing your PC and suck your power for nothing, even when is already updated, why? well, i know but if i say, i will be banned...

    microsoft workers always will say "we not recomend to disable", because they are forced to say it, but major of those updates are useless, they NOT improveyour system security as microsoft say, only an antivirus not made by microsoft or a firewall will hold the line, everything that comes from microsoft is already dead when born, because almost all hackers or virus that is really dangerous, know how to break anything made by microsoft, and the main system defense never hold what we need to keep far, and use a browser like comodo dragon, firefox or sea monkey, all others lie about their defenses.

    the auto uptade not will help, he suck your CPU, not bring good updates all times, can bring an killer update, will install useless files, will drain your energy, will occupy your disc space,and not improve your security as we need.

    set as manual or disable. wait for what is good.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-12-19T13:56:31+00:00

    Windows 10 updates and telemetry are totally destroying all computers who dont have very fast HDDs or SSD,  i end up disabling both updates service and telemetry because our customers who complain about random slowdowns of computer where they are un-usable, and as usual its windows update and Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry crap service killing it.(100%disk usage)

    And just wanted to say to ANYONE from MS giving us "sfc scan", "chdksk" or those "Windows Update cabs" generic responses, FU*** off with that and fix stupid windows already, i installed just this year over 500 different PCs and im seeing same thing killing them and customers including my self are very unhappy! 

    Including even now im installing 2 ASUS laptops and fresh install for 1 hour they are sitting at 100% disk usage and you cant do anything, i simple must leave them over night to settle down.

    ANGRY!!!

    AAAAAA_MEN!

    The CPU on mine is running at 100% and constantly causes excessive heat issues and nearly melts the bottom half of my laptop. 

    God forbid.... a woman filed a lawsuit and won 10 million dollars against MacDonalds just for burning her mouth on a hot cup of coffee

    If there is a major fire from something like this, I can see enough documentation right in the forums like this to substantiate the fact that unreasonable software control is being implemented by Microsoft and could even properly configured and well maintained modern hardware to function abnormally. It really can and probably already has caused harm to some people.

    Thing is, I always believed end users should have the ability and the right to configure individual system programs/processes by allocating the desired amount of CPU,Memory, & Disk resources.

    Microsoft has allowed this problem to go unsolved for quite some time and they seem to have minimized it as if it is not something important enough to worry about.  Even Samsung took the heat when they had all their recent Note 7s catch fire and burn up. They recalled every last one of them because they were not able to implement a fix. Even if they had a fix, the level of expertise  needed to implement it would likely contribute to a long list of failures and high cost of tech support to deal with all the phone calls so they gracefully bailed and lost billions of dollars. A noble gesture that Microsoft likely would not ever concede to. 

    This is a word for Microsoft......Make it simple...   reduce the amount of CPU/Memory resources that gets used by telemetry and Windows Update or, make it user defined. At least then, technicians can resolve the issues for all the people who are not savvy. How could you guys at Microsoft put your dollars and sense before the well being of your customersand the very hardware they use to support your company? Just an observation

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