What is Windows Modules Installer and How to Enable/Disable it

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If you ever notice your computer’s fans swirl up and feel it getting hotter for no evident reason, check the Task Manager and you might see “Windows Modules Installer Worker” using a lot of CPU and disk resources. This process, also known as TiWorker.exe, is a part of the Windows operating system. This article explains what Windows Modules Installer is and how to enable/disable it.

What is Windows Modules Installer Worker?

Windows Modules Installer Worker system process “enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components”, according to its service description.

Windows 10 automatically installs operating system updates via Windows Update, so this process is likely just installing updates in the background. However, if you choose to uninstall an update or add or remove an optional Windows feature, the Windows Modules Installer Worker process will also need to do some work.

While the process is named Windows Modules Installer Worker on the normal Processes tab in Windows 10’s Task Manager, its file name is TiWorker.exe, and you’ll see that displayed on the Details tab.

COPYRIGHT_NOVA: Published on https://www.novabach.com/i/what-is-windows-modules-installer/ by Daniel Barrett on 2022-08-02T08:40:36.000Z

Microsoft releases updates on “Patch Tuesday”, the second Tuesday of every month. They may also release updates on other days, if necessary. If this process is using a lot of CPU, it’s likely that your computer has just downloaded new updates from Microsoft.

You may or may not have to restart your computer to install these updates, but Windows does a lot of updating work in the background so you can continue using your PC while it installs the updates.

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Why Is It Using So Much CPU?

Here’s the unpleasant news: The facts we can tell, irregular high CPU usage from the Windows Modules Installer Worker process on Windows 10 is just usual.

The Ray of sunshine is that, if you allow it to run, the process will eventually finish and stop using CPU and disk resources. The Windows Modules Installer worker process will finish and it will disappear from the running processes in Task Manager. How long it will take depends on the speed of your computer’s CPU and storage, as well as on how many updates it needed to install.

Disabling Windows Modules Installer Worker

Note: You’ll see some bad advice online recommending you should disable the Windows Modules Installer system service to prevent this from happening. This will prevent Windows from installing updates properly, and you shouldn’t do it.

Likewise, others may recommend setting your network connection to “metered”, which will avert Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing many updates.

This will prevent the Windows Modules Installer process from activating, but your computer won’t install critical security updates that can protect you from malware like the WannaCry ransomware, which exploited a bug patched two months before it was released. Avoiding operating system updates is dangerous, and we don’t recommend it.

Sure, you could install updates manually—but the Windows Modules Installer Worker process will run after a manual update, anyway. It’s probably best to just bite the bullet and allow the TiWorker.exe process to occasionally do its thing. This is just how Windows installs updates, and it’s for your good.

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Is it a Malware?

Windows Modules Installer Worker process is a part of Windows originally. We haven’t seen any reports of malware masking itself as the Windows Modules Installer Worker, or TiWorker.exe process. However, if you’re concerned about malware, it’s always a good idea to run a scan with your preferred antivirus program to check if anything’s amiss.

If It Ever Becomes Persistent And Disturbing

If you feel something’s certainly off—possibly the Windows Modules Installer Worker process has been churning away for hours, or maybe you think it just runs too frequently—there are some troubleshooting steps you can take.

These won’t help if the process is just running for regular reasons but can fix problems with Windows Update and the Windows operating system itself that could cause issues with the Windows Modules Installer Worker service.

The Windows Update troubleshooter can find and fix problems with Windows Update that could cause issues to occur.

To run it on Windows 10, head to Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter. Apply any fixes the troubleshooter suggests.

If the troubleshooter doesn’t help, you may want to try using the SFC or DISM tools to scan your computer for corrupted or missing system files.

How Do I Fix Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU?

Here are 2 solutions you can try to fix this problem. You may not have to try both of them; if Method 1 doesn’t work, then you can try Method 2 to resolve the issue. In addition, you can try our Bonus Tip to solve your computer woes.

Stop and disable the Windows Update service
Change your Internet setting

Note: Both Process 1 & Process 2 will stop Windows Automatic update on your computer

Process 1: Stop And Disable the Windows Update Service

Only when the Windows Update service is running, can Windows check or installs updates. So, if we stop and disable the Windows Update service, Windows can’t check or install any update. As a result, the Windows Module Installer Worker process won’t use a large percentage of your CPU then.

Here’s how you can stop and disable the Windows Update service:

On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run box.
Type services.msc and click OK.
You should then see the Services window again. Double-click Windows Update.
Set its startup type to be Disabled and click Stop. Then click Apply > OK.
The CPU usage on your computer should return to normal. If it doesn’t you can try Method 2 below.

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Process 2: Change Your Internet setting

The substitute way to stop Windows Automatic Update on your computer is to change your Internet to a metered connection. Here is how:

Instance 1: You’re using a Wi-Fi Network
Instance 2: You’re using an Ethernet Network

Instance 1: You’re Using a Wi-Fi Network

Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-FI. Then click Advanced Options.
Tick on Set as metered connection.

You’re done. Check if the problem still exists.

Instance 2: If You’re Using an Ethernet Network

On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run box.
Type regedit and click OK.
Click Yes when prompted by UAC (User Account Control).
On the open window, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > NetworkList > DefaultMediaCost
Then Right-click DefaultMediaCost and select Permissions.
Click Add… Then type your user name into ‘Enter the object names’ to select and click Check Names.
Click OK.
Click the user you just add, then tick on allow for Full Control.
Click OK.
Double-click on Ethernet. Then set its Value data to be 2.
Click OK and close Regedit Editor window.
Reboot your computer.