How to Fix High CPU and Disk Usage Caused by Tiworker.exe (Windows Modules Installer Worker) Process on Windows 10

What is TiWorker.exe?

TiWorker.exe (Windows Modules Installer Worker) is a system process in Microsoft Windows which is responsible for installing new modules and updates. Respectively, it is able to use your CPU and produce a high load on your disk. Usually the CPU usage hovers between 30 and 50% but in some cases TiWorker can load CPU up to 100%. It goes without saying that this will cause bad performance of the system.

So let us find out what to do if you encounter high CPU usage by TiWorker.exe component. Read our tips upon how to fix the high usage of system resources caused by TiWorker.exe process on Windows 10. This guide can also be use to solve the same problem on Windows 8.1 and Server 2016 as well. 

Location of TiWorker.exe in Windows 10. Is it a Virus?

To begin with, I hasten to tell you that the TiWorker component is most likely NOT a virus if the .exe file is located in the folder:

C:\Windows\WinSxS\

To ensure that the process is not malicious (fake) launch the Last Manager, switch to Details tab, right-click on the process and select Open file location: You will get to directory like this:

C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.16299.245_none_16ec1d963212a637

However, you should scan your system for malware (read about this below).

How to Fix the Issue of High CPU and Disk Usage by TiWorker.exe in Windows 10

If your friend asks “TiWorker.exe is using up to 50% or 100% of the CPU. What can I do?“, let him follow the tips below to investigate and solve the issue.

Advice 1. Wait for Modules Installer Worker to finish the task

If you notices the problem for the first time, give TiWorker.exe some time to complete its work. Just close all running apps, leave your PC in idle. Wait for an hour and watch for CPU usage. There is a high probability that the process will complete all its tasks and stop loading the central processor unit.

Advice 2. Reboot Your Computer

If you have waited for an hour but TiWorker.exe process is still using your CPU, reboot your system. In many cases it calms down after reboot without any extra actions from user.

Advice 3. Search for Windows 10 updates manually

Perform a manual check for updates as we explained here:

If there are any updates available install them and reboot your system. It should be said that this method helps to stop TiWorker.exe loading the CPU very often.

Advice 4. Clear Updates Cache

• Clear Windows Update Cache.
• Reboot.
• Manually check for updates once again and install updates if any available.

Advice 5. Search for malware and viruses on your PC

If the problem persists there is a possibility of the virus infection. Scan your computer using the best utilities and remove all found malware:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware;
• AdwCleaner;
• HitmanPro.

Advice 6 (workaround). Turn off updates for Windows 10

If nothing of the above helps to solve the problem and TiWorker.exe is still loading your CPU heavily here is a radical workaround to bring your PC back to working condition. Probably it will be ecpecially useful for old and weak laptops and desktops. All you need to do is stop and disable two services: Windows Modules Installer (TrustedInstaller) and Windows Update (wuauserv):

• Press Win+R.
• Type services.msc and hit Enter.
• Find Windows Modules Installer (TrustedInstaller) and double click it.
• Select Disabled in Startup type.
• Click Stop.
• Click OK.

Do the same for Windows Update (wuauserv):

Please, share the guide with your friends if it worked for you. Feel free to ask questions in the comments and provide your own solutions how you managed to fix the problem related to TiWorker (Windows Modules Installer Worker) activity.