Learn the Windows Modules Installer Worker process

When you start your computer, if you see the computer fan becomes hot without any reason, check Task Manager and you will see 'Windows Modules Installer Worker' using a lot of CPU and disk resources. This process, also known as TiWoker.exe, is part of the Windows operating system.

What is Windows Modules Installer Worker?

According to the service description of this process, Windows Modules installer activates installation, editing and deleting updates and options.

Windows 10 will automatically install operating system updates through Windows Update, so this process will only install updates in the background. However, if uninstalling an update or adding or deleting an optional Windows feature, the Windows Modules Installer Worker process will need to perform several other tasks.

One thing to note is that the Windows Modules Installer Worker process is on the Processes tab but its TiWorker.exe file is displayed on the Details tab.

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Microsoft releases an " Patch Tuesday " update every second Tuesday of every month. They can also release updates on other days, if needed. If this process is using a lot of CPU, it is 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 will work a lot in the background so you can continue using the computer while installing the update.

Why does it use too much CPU?

It is normal for Windows Modules Installer Worker to use CPU heavily on Windows 10.

If you allow it to run, the process will end and stop using CPU and disk resources after the update is complete. The Windows Modules Installer worker process will end and it will disappear from the running processes in the Task Mananger. The running time depends on the speed of the CPU and the computer's memory as well as the number of updates to be installed.

Should this process be disabled?

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Some people recommend disabling the Windows Modules Installer service to prevent this from happening. However, this will prevent Windows from installing properly, so you should not disable this process.

Similarly, others may recommend that you set up Metered Connection, which will prevent Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing updates. It will prevent the activation of the Windows Modules Installer process, but your computer will not install important security updates to protect your computer from malware such as WannaCry ransomware. Preventing operating system updates is dangerous and you should not do that.

You can install the update manually, however, the Windows Modules Installer Worker process will run after performing manual updates. It is best to let the TiWorker.exe process occasionally work, this is how Windows installs updates.

Is it a virus?

This process is part of Windows. We have not seen any reports of malware masquerading as a Windows Modules Installer Worker or TiWorker.exe process. However, if you have any doubts, you can run an antivirus program.

If you see the Windows Modules Installer Worker running for hours or perhaps you find it running too often, you can take some steps to troubleshoot. This will not help if this process only runs for normal reasons, but can fix problems with Windows Update and the Windows operating system may cause problems with the Windows Modules Installer Worker service.

Windows Update troubleshooter can find and fix problems with Windows Update. To run it on Windows 10, go to Settings> Update & security> Troubleshoot> Windows Update > run the troubleshooter. Apply any solution that the troubleshooter suggests.

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If the troubleshooter doesn't solve the problem, you can try using SFC or DISM tools to scan your computer for corrupted or missing system files.

You can also check our instructions on what to do if Windows Update crashes to make sure Windows Update is running correctly.

And if everything else fails, you may have to reset your computer to the default factory state and start over with a new operating system. Refer to article 4 on how to reset your Windows computer to its original state.