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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

900+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

500+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

208 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-11-10T07:22:12+00:00

    I've read the article, very interesting, to swap one's regular disc for a SSD seems rather drastic. It would be interesting to know whether or not anyone already using an SSD also suffers from the problem.

    So it has been explained; the Windows Modules Installer service is basically in charge of installing, updating or removing Windows Updates and Optional Updates. On an earlier post I mentioned that I found WMIW was taking up CPU time while I was running Macrium Reflect to create a disc image onto an external drive. I can see that disk latency may be important during image creation but I can't see how image creating should have anything to do with installing, updating or removing Windows Updates and Optional Updates. Perhaps someone at MS might be able to explain why this happens? I see Windows 10 has a 'Disk Cleanup' app. I haven't used this but it might be worth someone having the WMIW problem giving it a try?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-10T06:22:20+00:00

    This article recommends that if you buy an SSD, it'll fix it:

    http://www.itsupportforum.net/topic/windows-modules-installer-worker-high-disk-usage/

    Hope you find that helpful.

    Another article I read said to disable Windows automatic Update - which seems like a really bad idea to me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments