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.

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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
    2017-09-10T09:47:28+00:00

    Thanks buddy this solve my problem also.

    and for window troubleshot, Instructions from Microsoft are...

    Windows 8 or Windows 7

    To download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, click the following Fix it button, or follow these steps.

    The Automatically diagnose and fix common problems with Windows Update troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.

    This troubleshooter fixes many problems. learn more

    Fix it

    Notes

    • The Windows Update Troubleshooter may have text that is available in English only.
    • After the Windows Update Troubleshooter is complete, your previous Windows Update history may be deleted.

    If you don’t have an Internet connection in Windows 8, you can open the Windows Update troubleshooter that's included in Windows 8. However, that troubleshooter doesn't perform all the troubleshooting steps that the linked troubleshooter does.

    1. Open the Windows Update troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen and then tapping Search. Or, if you're using a mouse, open the troubleshooter by pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search.
    2. Type Troubleshooting, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Troubleshooting.
    3. Under System and Security, tap or click Fix Problems with Windows Update, and then click Next.

    Windows Vista or Windows XP

    To start the Windows Update Troubleshooter, click the following Fix it button:

    The Automatically diagnose and fix common problems with Windows Update troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.

    This troubleshooter fixes many problems.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-11T20:38:37+00:00

    I found a fix.  I upgraded to Windows 10.   No more Windows Module Installer Worker annoyance and nonsense.  The notebook barely makes the grade for Windows 10, and it's sluggish, but at least it's usable now instead of having the CPU usage at 97% - 99% because of the god awful WMIW.

    Again, when you set something to manual it should stay that way.  Manual does NOT mean start when you feel like it.  What a pain!!!

    Get it together, Microsoft!!!!  

    Linux Mint is FREE.  Keep that in mind, Microsoft.

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