What is TrustedInstaller.exe | Fix High CPU Usage in Windows

  • Ankita 
  • OS

Not sure what is TrustedInstaller.exe process and why it is consuming high CPU resources and disk usage on Windows 10, 8, 7? Well, this TrustedInstaller.exe is an executable application and is developed by Microsoft Incorporation for Windows operating system.

What is TrustedInstaller.exe & its uses

TrustedInstaller.exe is described as the Windows Modules Installer. It basically manages Windows Updates on the system.

Its main purpose is to check for new Windows updates, thereby facilitating installation, removal, and modification of Windows updates.

In order to draw benefit from its performance, it is required to run the program on startup and be left to carry out its operations even when the computer is being used by the user. Disabling this service might result in the failure of installation or uninstallation of Windows updates.

It is included in all versions of Windows since Windows Vista.

Brief Overview:

Original filename: TrustedInstaller.exe
File Description: Windows Modules Installer
Type: Application
Product name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
File version: 10.0.18362.1
Size: 140 KB
Language: English

File size & location

trustedInstaller.exe

The default location of TrustedInstaller.exe application is under C:\Windows\servicing\ folder. Sometime, it may be located under C:\Windows\WinSxS\ directory.  Whereas the average file size is approx 140 Kb.

Is it safe or virus

TrustedInstaller.exe is an authentic and safe application. However,a malicious program may pose as trustedinstaller.exe to act legitimate, but can be identified in two ways:

  • If the suspected file is not in the C:\Windows\servicing folder, it is a malware.
  • If it is not copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation, it is a threat to the system. This information can be found in its properties.

Common Errors

Some common errors encountered with TrustedInstaller.exeare:

  • “Error starting program: TrustedInstaller.exe”
  • “Faulting application name: TrustedInstaller.exe”.

TrustedInstaller.exe is using high % of CPU resources

When you notice that the TrustedInstaller.exe is running on system background and consuming high CPU resources, then nothing to worry, it will automatically off after few minutes.

TrustedInstaller.exe High CPU Usage is a normal process as it checks for Windows update constantly. Even when the updated scan is complete, it keeps checking for updates.

It is not possible to delete Trustedinstaller.exe since it’s an essential part of Windows Operating system, however,  there are several other options used to optimize and allay its CPU usage. Let us look at some of them:

Disable Using MSConfig and Services Utility

1) Press Windows + R together

2) Type msconfig and press Enter

msconfig

3) Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control.
4) Go to the Services tab in System Configuration utility.
5) Uncheck the box next to Windows Modules Installer
6) Click on Apply, then OK.
7) Now, press Windows + R again
8) Type services.msc and press Enter
9) Browse for and right-click Windows Modules Installer
10) In General tab go to Startup type and select Manual
11) Click on Apply, then OK.
12) Reboot the system.

This process will disable the TrustedInstaller.exe on your system.

Clear Problem Reports History

If above steps not help you to disable TrustedInstaller.exe then you may follow this step on your system:

1) Open Control panel

Control Panel

2) Go to System and Security > Security and Maintenance

3) Click on the arrow beside Maintenance
4) Click on View reliability history


5) Click on View all problem reports at the bottom of the window.
6) Check the box next to the source
7) Click on Clear all problem reports
8) Click OK to confirm the clearance and restart the system.

Using Anti-Virus

Scan the system for viruses using your anti-virus software or Windows Firewall. Once any virus named trustedinstaller.exe is found, delete or quarantine it.

How to remove it?

It is not advisable to remove trustedinstaller.exe as it a system protected a file. Even disabling it may cause problems in the installation and uninstallation of Windows Updates. Thus, whenever your system run slow due to trustedinstaller.exe running on background, just wait for few minutes and let it finish scanning for the update. And once it’s done, then your system will start working fine.

Check other similar process Glcnd.exe, Lpremove.exe, FUFAXRCV.exe, Video.UI.exe

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Ankita

Founder and Writer @ WinOSBite. Future plan is to make this platform open to community to resolve and discuss various issues, usage related to Operating System.

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