How To Resolve Trustedinstaller.exe High CPU Usage In Vista

A common issue that many Windows Vista users face is trustedinstaller.exe hogging CPU resources and stalling Windows.

This article will explain what this process is, what it does, and how to resolve the issue of high CPU usage by this process.

Trustedinstaller.exe – What Is It?

This file is used by the “Windows Module Installer” service that works along with the Integrated Windows Update in Windows Vista. Windows Module Installer is required for the installation, removal and modification of Windows updates and related optional components on a Vista computer. Disabling this service will prevent installation and removal of Windows updates from the computer.

Is The Process Safe?

Yes, this process is safe and is considered an essential process by the Windows operating system.

Why Trustedinstaller.exe May Hog CPU Resources Even After Updates Have Been Installed

It is natural for this file to consume excess CPU resources when you schedule an update scan. This is due to the fact that during this time the process checks for new updates for the Windows Update process and therefore needs additional CPU resources.

However, at times, you may find that even when Windows is restarted after installing new available updates, trustedinstaller.exe continues to eat into your system resources. This occurs because the process continues to check for new updates for some time after you have installed the new updates. In its own way, trustedinstaller.exe is ensuring that no new updates were missed during the last update cycle.

If the process is interfering with your work or continuously slowing your computer’s speed, refer to the steps below to fix the issue.

How To Resolve ‘’Trustedinstaller.exe Is Using 100% or 90% Of CPU Resources’’ Issue

You may use any of the following methods to resolve the aforementioned issue.

Method 1 – Change Automatic Windows Update Settings

  1. Click the Windows icon located on your taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click System and Maintenance.
  3. Click Turn automatic update on or off.
  4. Select any of the following options depending on your preference:
    • Never check for updates (not recommended)
    • Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
    • Download updates but let me choose whether to install them

    5. Note: If you select the Never check for updates (not recommended) option then you will need to manually check for new updates.

  5. Click OK.

Method 2 – Stop Windows Module Installer From Starting Automatically And Set Windows Module Installer Startup Type to Manual

Here’s how you can prevent Windows Module Installer from starting automatically on startup.

  1. Click the Windows icon on your taskbar, type run in the Start Search box, and then press Enter.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type msconfig, and then press Enter.
  3. In the System Configuration dialog box, click the Services tab.
  4. Uncheck the box before Windows Modules Installer.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Click Ok
  7. Restart Windows.

After you have done this, set Windows Module Installer Startup type to manual. To do this, perform the following steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click Administrative Tools.
  3. In the right pane of the corresponding window, double-click Services.
  4. Locate and double-click Windows Module Installer.
  5. Click the General tab.
  6. Select Manual from the Startup Type drop down menu.
  7. Click Apply.
  8. Click OK.

I Am Receiving Recurring Trustedinstaller.exe Errors – What Should I Do?

A malware infection can be a plausible cause of the error. We recommend that you download a reliable antivirus program and run a complete malware scan on your computer.