Learning: What is trustedinstaller.exe?

TrustedInstaller is a built-in user in Windows 8 and earlier versions. TrustedInstaller owns a variety of system files, including the Windows folder, some Program Files folder and if it exists the Windows.old folder.

The TrustedInstaller user account is used by the Windows Modules Installer which is part of Windows itself. The Windows Modules Installer handles installing, modifying and removing Windows components and updates. It’s the only user that can do this.

Windows Modules Installer
Windows Modules Installer

TrustedInstaller does normally not run, it’s a service that runs when it’s needed and when it’s done automatically disables itself. It does not start when Windows is booting.

Can I disable the Account?

Weirdly enough yes, however it strongly suggest you do not remove and/or disable the account, since this will cripple your system. Windows needs to have this user to be able to install, modifying and removing Windows components and updates. It’s the only user that can do this.

TrustedInstaller is utilizing a lot of system resources

This is normal, Windows is apparently updating or modifying some files. Let it just do it’s work.

I have multiple TrustedInstaller services running, is it normal?

This is not normal behaviour and the best thing to do is to investigate these services by looking at the file path, the genuine file path is C:\Windows\servicing\TrustedInstaller.exe

About the Author

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Windows
Yuri specializes in troubleshooting (crash analysis and devices), system resource utilisation and system performance. He is also very interested in Customer Security. Yuri can be found as Windows Community Moderator and Wiki Author on Microsoft Answers and is active on different communities all across the web.

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