Windows Modules Installer Worker - high CPU usage

Anonymous

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.

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

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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:

Open services.msc (In Windows 8, WindowsKey+R and enter services.msc)
Search "Windows module installer".
Double click the "Windows module installer", and make it manual. It is usually set Automatic.
Search "Windows update".
Double click the "Windows update", and make it manual.
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)
Click "Windows update"
In left you can see "Change settings"
Change the setting into "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". It is usually set automatic.
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

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hi Louise,

Follow the steps given below.

Press and hold the “Windows” button and the “W” button on the keyboard.
In the search box situated in the upper right corner we need to write “Troubleshooting”
Click(left click) on the “Troublesh o oting” icon.
On the upper left corner of the Troubleshooting window we need to click(left click) on “View All”
Click (left click) on “System Maintenance”
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.

Press and hold the “Window” button and the “X” button on the keyboard.
After the “Control Panel” is opened click (left click) on “Windows Updates”
Select from the “View” menu in the upper right of the window “Large icons”.
In the left side of the window click (left click) on “Check for updates”
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.

0 comments

208 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-05-12T19:11:34+00:00

Hi Nick,

I can understand the inconvenience you are experiencing with the issue.

However, as per the age of the thread, I would suggest you to create a new thread explaining the issue with all the error information you have and get the needed attention from experts all over the community.

Hope this information is helpful.

WHAT ERROR INFORMATION? As far as Windows is concerned it is working 'normally'. Windows doesn't seem to think that using almost all my CPU resource for routine automated updates is an ERROR!!!!!!!!!!!

I on the other hand think that sitting in front of an unresponsive laptop is a total pain in the ****.

Since I have turned off automatic updates things work FAR, FAR, BETTER.

My laptop has been running slowly all afternoon. So I've spent some of my precious time looking for help online. Then find these threads. Mostly where someone (not Harkanwar, but the individual at the beginning of the thread) from Microsoft basically repeats himself over and over, "it does updates", blah, blah, blah, and "it should not be set to manually update", blah, blah, blah. Then finally we get this "as per the age of the thread, I would suggest you create a new thread" and wait for the experts to respond. After all my research and waiting, my problem was solved. I've spent 2 hours on and off online on this issue. Finally my CPU and HD are back to normal. Turns out, if you spend a ton of time trying to figure out how to resolve an issue like this, the BLOATWARE finally finishes whatever it was doing and your laptop is back to normal.

This whole situation slays me. Can't live with Windows, can't live without it. Now if someone could just tell me how to keep these $%^&* "charms" from popping up all the time on the right side of my screen, I would be a "slightly miserable" camper. I am running Windows after all. Never going to be truly happy.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-05-13T01:33:02+00:00

I have both Win8.1 AND Win10 Tech Preview on two different computers. Same problem on both of them. 75-100% CPU and DISK usage on both machines for at least the first 10-15 minutes after booting up. Occasionally, if I let it run a few minutes, then reboot, it clears itself up. My main 'hogs' are Windows Module Installer Worker', and 'Antimalware' something (Windows Defender). This has been going on since 'Day One' of both CLEAN installs. I thought it was because these aren't very powerful computers, but it sounds like from this and other forums that power doesn't seem to matter. I agree with whoever said that "any process that is allowed to use over 50% of cpu and/or disk resources is crazy. Totally unimpressed with Win10 so far, also. Come MS, give us a fix. This has been going on long enough.
Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments