In this article, we will discuss an issue with TrustedInstaller.exe that is causing high CPU and memory usage on your computer.
Understanding TrustedInstaller.exe
TrustedInstaller.exe is a system process in Windows 10 and Windows Server that manages system file permissions and updates. It can sometimes cause high CPU and memory usage, which can slow down your computer. Here are a few steps to understand and fix the issue:
– Check if any updates are pending. TrustedInstaller.exe may be working to install updates in the background, causing high CPU usage.
– If you are using VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), try allocating more resources to the virtual machine to reduce memory usage.
– If you suspect a virus or malware, run a full system scan with your antivirus program to remove any threats.
– You can also try disabling TrustedInstaller.exe temporarily to reduce CPU and memory usage, but be cautious as this can cause system issues. To do this, open Task Manager, find the TrustedInstaller.exe process, right-click and select “End task”.
Remember to re-enable TrustedInstaller.exe once you have resolved the issue to avoid any system errors or security vulnerabilities.
Causes of high CPU usage by TrustedInstaller.exe
- Identify the cause:
- Use Task Manager to identify if TrustedInstaller.exe is causing high CPU usage.
- Check for Windows updates that may be causing the issue.
- Scan for malware or viruses.
- Stop Windows Update Services:
- Open Services by pressing Win+R and typing services.msc.
- Find Windows Update and Windows Modules Installer services.
- Right-click on each and select Stop.
- Reset Windows Update Components:
- Open Command Prompt as admin.
- Type net stop wuauserv, net stop cryptSvc, net stop bits, and net stop msiserver.
- Type ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old.
- Type net start wuauserv, net start cryptSvc, net start bits, and net start msiserver.
- Clean up Disk Space:
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the main drive.
- Select Properties and click on Disk Cleanup.
- Select the files you want to delete and click on OK.
- Disable Windows Update:
- Open Settings and click on Update & Security.
- Click on Advanced options and select Pause updates.
- Set a date for when to resume updates.
Effects of high CPU usage on TrustedInstaller.exe
High CPU usage by TrustedInstaller.exe can cause slow system performance, increased disk usage, and unresponsive programs. To troubleshoot this issue, first, check for any pending Windows updates that may be causing TrustedInstaller.exe to run. If there are no updates, check for any malware that may be imitating TrustedInstaller.exe. If the issue persists, try disabling the TrustedInstaller service by going to Services and stopping the service. Do not delete the TrustedInstaller.exe file as it is a critical system file. Another option is to limit the CPU usage by TrustedInstaller.exe by opening Task Manager and setting the CPU priority to a lower level. This issue is common in Windows 10 and Windows Server environments, especially in VDI environments where multiple instances of TrustedInstaller.exe may run simultaneously.
Clearing problem history in Control Panel
To clear problem history in Control Panel, follow these steps:
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on “Security and Maintenance.”
3. Click on “Maintenance.”
4. Under “Check for solutions to problem reports,” click “View reliability history.”
5. In the Reliability Monitor, find the problem you want to clear and right-click on it.
6. Click “Delete.”
This should clear the problem history and potentially free up some disk usage. If you are experiencing high CPU and memory usage caused by TrustedInstaller.exe, try disabling it by following these steps:
1. Open Task Manager.
2. Find “TrustedInstaller.exe” under the “Processes” tab.
3. Right-click on “TrustedInstaller.exe” and select “End task.”
This should temporarily disable TrustedInstaller.exe and potentially resolve high CPU and memory usage issues. If you suspect a TrustedInstaller virus, run a virus scan with your preferred antivirus software.
Changing updates configuration to Full Manual
To address the high CPU and memory usage caused by TrustedInstaller.exe, changing the updates configuration to Full Manual is recommended. This prevents automatic updates from running in the background, which can lead to high system resource usage. To do this:
1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Windows Update.
2. Click on “Change settings” on the left-hand side.
3. Under “Important updates,” select “Never check for updates (not recommended).”
4. Under “Recommended updates,” select “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.”
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.
This will disable automatic updates and allow you to manually update your system at your convenience. Keep in mind that this may leave your system vulnerable to security threats if you do not stay up-to-date with updates.
Preventing Windows Modules Installer service from automatically loading
To prevent the Windows Modules Installer service from automatically loading and causing high CPU and memory usage, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Scroll down to “Windows Modules Installer” and double-click on it.
4. In the “Startup type” dropdown menu, select “Disabled”.
5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
This will prevent the service from starting automatically and causing performance issues. If you suspect a virus or malware, run a full system scan using your preferred antivirus software. Additionally, keep an eye on other processes such as svchost.exe and tiworker.exe, which may also contribute to high CPU and memory usage.
Running a scan using the SFC tool
To fix high CPU and memory usage caused by TrustedInstaller.exe, running a scan using the SFC tool can help. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time, so be patient.
4. Once the scan is finished, check if the issue with TrustedInstaller.exe has been resolved. If not, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps.
Remember that TrustedInstaller.exe is an essential system process, and disabling it can cause issues with your computer. If you suspect that you have a TrustedInstaller virus, run a full scan with your antivirus software to identify and remove any threats.
Instructions to follow for fixing high CPU usage
- Press Windows key + R to open Run dialog box
- Type services.msc and press Enter
- Scroll down the list and look for Windows Modules Installer
- Right-click on it and select Properties
- Select Stop
- Select Disabled from the Startup type dropdown menu
- Select Apply and then OK
Method 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings
- Select Update & Security
- Select Troubleshoot from the left pane
- Select Windows Update from the right pane
- Select Run the troubleshooter
Method 3: Perform a Clean Boot
- Press Windows key + R to open Run dialog box
- Type msconfig and press Enter
- Select the Services tab
- Select Hide all Microsoft services checkbox
- Select Disable all
- Select the Startup tab
- Select Open Task Manager
- Disable all startup items
- Close Task Manager
- Select Apply and then OK
- Select Restart when prompted
Scanning for viruses and malware
To scan for viruses and malware on your computer, you can use built-in antivirus software or download a third-party antivirus program. Windows Defender is a free option that comes with Windows 10.
To scan for viruses using Windows Defender:
1. Open Windows Security by clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar or searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click on “Virus & threat protection.”
3. Click on “Scan options.”
4. Select “Full scan” and click “Scan now.”
If the issue of TrustedInstaller.exe causing high CPU and memory usage persists, you may need to disable it. To disable TrustedInstaller:
1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Scroll down and find “Windows Modules Installer.”
4. Right-click on it and select “Properties.”
5. Change the startup type from “Manual” to “Disabled.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
Downloading and installing a new Windows service pack
Once you’ve determined that the issue is related to TrustedInstaller.exe, it may be necessary to download and install a new Windows service pack. This can help to resolve any potential bugs or issues that may be causing high CPU and memory usage. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to the Microsoft website and search for the latest service pack for your version of Windows.
2. Download the service pack and save it to your computer.
3. Double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the service pack.
4. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.
After the restart, check to see if the issue with TrustedInstaller.exe has been resolved. If not, you may need to further investigate the issue and consider other solutions such as disabling svchost.exe or tiworker.exe, or troubleshooting the Windows Modules Installer Worker.
Performing a clean boot to isolate third-party influences
To isolate third-party influences causing high CPU and memory usage from TrustedInstaller.exe, perform a clean boot. This will temporarily disable all non-Microsoft services and startup programs.
To perform a clean boot:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, select the Services tab.
4. Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services” at the bottom of the window.
5. Click the “Disable all” button.
6. Next, select the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager”.
7. In the Task Manager window, disable all startup programs.
8. Close Task Manager and click “OK” in the System Configuration window.
9. Restart your computer.
After restarting, check if the high CPU and memory usage issue has been resolved. If it has, enable services and startup programs one-by-one to identify the culprit. This may take some trial and error, but it will help you find the source of the problem. Common culprits include svchost.exe, tiworker.exe, and Windows Modules Installer Worker.
Specific fix for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users
If you’re a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 user experiencing high CPU and memory usage caused by TrustedInstaller.exe, there is a specific fix.
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Locate and right-click on the TrustedInstaller.exe process.
3. Select “Set affinity” from the context menu.
4. Uncheck all CPU cores except for one.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 every time you restart your computer.
This fix will limit the number of CPU cores TrustedInstaller.exe uses, reducing its impact on your system’s resources. Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution, and you may need to seek further assistance if the issue persists.
Troubleshooting high CPU usage involving TrustedInstaller.exe
If you’re experiencing high CPU usage that’s being caused by TrustedInstaller.exe, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Check for Windows updates: Sometimes, high CPU usage can be caused by pending Windows updates. Make sure your system is up-to-date by checking for updates in the Settings app.
2. Run a virus scan: Malware could be the culprit behind high CPU usage. Run a full virus scan using your preferred antivirus software to rule out any infections.
3. Disable Windows Modules Installer: This service is responsible for installing updates and other Windows components. If it’s causing high CPU usage, you can try disabling it. Open the Services app, find the “Windows Modules Installer” service, and stop it.
If none of these solutions work, it’s possible that another process (like svchost.exe or tiworker.exe) is causing the issue. Use Task Manager to identify any other processes that are using a lot of CPU or memory and try troubleshooting those.
