Fix: Windows Module Installer Worker Issues

If you feel like your computer is really slow despite having enough RAM and not many applications running then you might be a victim of Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU usage issue. The Windows Modules Installer Worker is a Windows Update service that runs in the background and checks for Windows Updates. Although the task of this service is pretty useful, it might hog down your whole PC by taking 50% or more resources.

You can confirm the issue by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC. This will bring up the task manager. Make sure that the Processes tab is selected, scroll down and search for a process named Windows Modules Installer. This should be in background process section. If you look at the information given in front of Windows Modules Installer, you will be able to see the amount of memory taken by this process as well. If your computer is really slow then the memory usage will most likely be more than 50%. There’s nothing you can do about the process running in the background because it starts automatically. So, as long as the process is running, which it will for as long as you are using the PC, it will definitely keep your computer slow.

The reason behind this, as mentioned above, is the Windows Modules Installer service. This is basically a Windows Update service. The memory taken by this service is basically because of the service searching for Windows Update in the background. Although the process is most likely to run and take lots of resources in Windows versions prior to Windows 10, but Windows 10 users have also experienced this issue.

There are a couple of solutions for this problem that are listed below. Go through each of these methods and check which one solves the issue for you.

Method 1: Manual Windows Update

The first thing that you should do is switch the Windows Update to manual mode. Since the service starts automatically, switching it to manual mode and turning it off is a very good workaround for this problem.

1. Hold Windows key and press R
2. Type services.msc and press Enter

3. Locate and double click the service named Windows modules installer

4. Select Manual from the drop down menu in Startup Type section

5. Click Stop if the status of the service is Running. This should be in Service Status section
6. Click Apply then Ok

7. Locate and double click Windows Update
8. Select Manual from the drop down menu in Startup Type section

9. Click Stop if the status of the service is Running. This should be in Service Status section
10. Click Apply then Ok

Once you are done, you should be good to go.

Note: Windows Updates are important for your system and provides a lot of security updates as well. These updates are crucial for your system. Since you have set your Windows update to manual, don’t forget to check for updates manually.

Method 2: Troubleshoot

You can also use the Windows built-in troubleshooter to solve this issue. This has worked for plenty of users.

1. Hold Windows key and press R
2. Type control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting and press Enter

3. Click View All

4. Select System Maintenance

5. Click Advanced and make sure the option that says Apply repairs automatically is checked

6. Click Next

Wait for the Windows to troubleshoot your system and solve the issues that it might find. Once the process is done, check for updates and you should be good to go.