Windows Modules Installer Worker loads the processor: how to fix it

Sometimes during work, the PC starts to slow down suddenly and stops responding, or it seriously lags behind. When checking "Task Manager", it turns out that processor and memory resources are absorbed by a certain Windows Modules Installer Worker. Now we will try to tell what can be done in this situation.

Troubleshoot issues with CPU utilization for Windows Modules Installer Worker.

What is the process responsible for the Windows Modules Installer Worker?

So, what lies behind the Windows Modules Installer Worker process: it is a service that searches the Internet, downloads and installs update-packages for the system. By itself, it can really spend resources if, for example, your computer has been disconnected from the Internet for a long time, and then got access to it along with the need to upgrade to current versions. But sometimes the reason for the irrepressible appetite of the service are failures in the Update Center. The error is completely reparable, it is not even necessary to turn off the service (although there is such an opportunity, we will also describe it).

What to do if Windows Modules Installer Worker loads processor

When the Windows Modules Installer Worker loads the processor excessively, you can speed up the package search by setting the following command yourself:

  1. Click "Start" and click on the gear.
  2. Select the update section.
  3. And now click the subheading Update Center and Check For Updates.
  4. Wait for the message about the need to reboot and execute it.

Sometimes, after the OS is restarted, there is no image on the screen, as if something happened to the video card, the hard disk is spinning noisily. This may pretty scare the user, but after a few minutes the Desktop appears and the hard drive stops making noise.

It so happens that the load on the CPU and RAM decreases after a while, but while there is an active use of resources, it is impossible to work on a PC. To fix this, just press Ctrl + Alt + Del and call the Task manager. In it, locate the service, right-click on its name and select a low execution priority. But most often the process loads the system due to the counterproductive work of the Update Center. You can try several solutions to this problem. First, clear the cache:

  1. Interrupt Internet connection.
  2. Enter the phrase “Command Line” in the “Search” and right-click on the found icon to select the launch from the Administrator.
  3. In Command Line, type:
    • net stop wuauserv + Inter;
    • net stop bits + "Inter".
  4. Now click on the “This Computer” icon and open the contents of the C drive.
  5. Find the Windows folder, and in it SoftwareDistribution and delete all files from the last one.
  6. Now call Command Line again and type in the "Enter" requests:
    • net start bits;
    • net start wuauserv.

Try to disable the antivirus firewall at boot time - perhaps it is it that interferes with the normal installation of updates and provokes the absorption of resources. Now just in case you need to check the status of the system itself and correct some errors, if any. For this:

  1. Open Command Line again.
  2. Enter the query: dism / online / cleanup-image / restorehealth and click "Inter".
  3. Wait for the process to complete and restart the PC.

Also, the work of the “Update Center” can be hampered by third-party programs (one of the new ones). To test this feature, run Windows Safe Mode (Restart + F8). If the problem is really in the software, now updates will load normally without affecting the CPU and RAM.

Sometimes it is the fault of the service’s attempt to download fresh drivers for hardware that has actually been disconnected from your computer for a long time, but integrated into the system: printers, scanners, tablets, etc. Open the Device Manager (right-click on Start and double-click left by the program icon), find irrelevant devices and delete them.

How to disable the Windows Modules Installer Worker process

If none of the above turned out to be useful, proceed to shutting down the process.

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
  2. Find Windows Modules Installer Worker in the list, select it and remove the task.
  3. Enter in “Search”: “Run”, open this application.
  4. In the line enter: services.msc.
  5. Find the “Windows Modules Installer” option and expand it.
  6. Now stop the service and disable startup.

In this case, you will have to independently monitor the release of updates and install them from time to time.