Vista - Windows Module Installer service is gone...

Hello, I've been looking around forums for months now, trying to get rid of the Windows Update error code 80070424...

I've read countless messages talking about solutions and tried them all... UNTIL I noticed today that the Windows Module Installer isn't listed in my services!!!

I remember that annoying TrustedInstaller.exe running on my comp since I installed Vista, but it's gone, didn't noticed till today.

I'm not really a windows novice, but I just don't get it... how can it be just gone like that? I repeat, it is not diabled or wahtsoever, IT IS MISSING FROM THE SERVICE LIST.

My question is: is there a way to reinstall the Windows Module Insdtaller, aka TrustedInstaller.exe?

Because im pretty sure it's messing with my updates

Thanks a lot in advance for any help !!!

Edit: by the way I tried reparing Vista with the repair tool "sfc /scannow", but that **** require TrustedInstaller.exe to be running to work... so i'm stuck!

In your situation I can see two ways:

1.Use System Restore if you have any checkpoint where everything work fine ->if does not work on alive system you have to boot DVD Vista->see details:System Restore - undo

2.Repair Install For Vista

I have the exact same error, and like you, have tried many different things but none of them have resolved the issue.

I have tried system restore, but the problem originated before the last restore point on my computer.

I'd like to do a System Repair, but the option is grayed out when I boot up from my installation disk. It's amazing that Vista can't do a system repair; it was always available in XP!

I even contacted Microsoft support, but they have not been able to resolve the problem either.

I suspect I may eventually just have to do a clean install.

Actually, there is a simple fix.... I just recently had to battle a nasty virus on my system (which is why friends are no longer allowed to touch ANY pc I own) which had embedded itself on a lot of essential system files.

I pretty much had to take the hard drive out of my notebook and connect it as an external to my desktop to run scans and remove the embedded virii.

After which I noticed a lot of irregularities, and I had to run the Vista DVD and do the Repair option... but this alone did not fix many issues, and I found myself remapping and retargeting locations and shortcuts and properties.

Long story short I just noticed tonight that I haven't been downloading and installing updates. Checked my update manager, and it would not install the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 for me.

I also realized I could not run the "sfc /scannow" command either.... the reason for this? Because TrustedInstaller.exe (aka Windows Modules Installer service) was missing from my pc.

Creating a system restore was out of the question because all my restore points were wiped out via the virus. The repair disc did diddly for my issue as well.




The easiest way to resolve this issue (for anyone coming across this page) I have found to be:

-You will need access to another PC with Vista (make sure it's same as your x64 or x86)... even a friend's PC will do.
-Vista Recovery CD (your OEM/Retail/etc version will work just as well.
-Some type of media to copy data from one pc to another (i.e. flash drive, CD, external HDD)


1. On the other PC, navigate to the following location "C:\WINDOWS\servicing" It is here that you will find the TrustedInstaller.exe file.

2. Copy this file to your portable media (I used a flash drive)

3. Insert the portable media and copy the TrustedInstaller.exe file to your computer's desktop.

4. Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\servicing on your pc, and attempt to copy the file from your desktop to inside this folder... if you are successful at doing this skip to step #15, if you are unable to do so then proceed to the next step.

5. Here's where your Vista DVD comes in handy (you may want to write down the instructions before shutting down the computer)... Make sure you are aware of what your username on the computer is. Insert your Vista DVD and restart the computer.

6. Make sure your computer is set to boot to CD\DVD option. Boot into the Vista DVD when prompted.

7. Click "Install Now" at the main screen.

8. At the next screen look to the bottom left and click the option to "Repair your computer"

9. Select the "Command Prompt" option from the list of displayed options.

Perform the following to copy the TrustedInstaller.exe file into the C:\WINDOWS\servicing path.

10. Type in "cd \" (that's a space) to bring the directory path to "C:\"

11. Type in "cd C:\Users\(yourusername)\Desktop" the directory path should have changed to what you typed.

12. Type in the following command "copy TrustedInstaller.exe C:\WINDOWS\servicing" the file should have successfully copied over.

13. Type in "exit" to exit the command prompt (or simply X out the window)

14. Restart the computer.

15. Navigate to the Command Prompt by doing the following: Start Menu>All Programs>Accessories>

16. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator", if prompted for approval, approve it.

17. With Command Prompt open type in "cd \" (that's a space again) to change the directory to "C:\"

18. Type in "C:\WINDOWS\servicing" the path should have changed to what you typed.

19. type in TrustedInstaller.exe and press the ENTER key.

20. This will have started the executable file in the background (you will not see anything pop up, though you may notice the "hourglass" aka "swirling circle" on the pointer indicating something is working.

21. Pull up the start menu and search for "services.msc"

22. Select the "services.msc" when the window opens navigate alphabetically down to "W"

23. Find "Windows Modules Installer" service.

24. Right-click "Windows Modules Installer" service and select "START"

25. You have now started the service successfully.... Try running Windows Update again to verify if this fixed your issue.


It seems many services within the Windows evironment rely on this service... it wasn't after I replaced it and started it that I could run "sfc /scannow" command to make sure my file integrity is intake and replace any files needed.

Nothing about this is simple! The root of the problem is that Vista has some robustness issues with respect to Windows Update.

That being said, I came up with a solution to the problem on my computer, with your help (Thanks!) and the help of a chap from another message board.

First, I copied TrustedInstaller.exe over to the affected computer using the procedure you outlined above. However, after opening services.msc, Windows Modules Installer was still not present.

Next, I applied a registry fix that I found on another web site:
Windows Modules Installer missing... - Vista Ready Games

After this, Windows Modules Installer did show up in the list of Services. However, Windows Update still returned an error, but now with a different error code, 8000FFF. I also noticed that Windows Update ran longer before failing.

I then restarted the computer and saw that the "Updating Configuration" screen appeared. I took this to be a sign of progress.

After the restart finished, Windows Update still returned error code 8000FFF though.

I decided to try running TrustedInstaller.exe again. So I opened services.msc and then stopped Windows Modules Installer. I then ran TrustedInstaller.exe, and finally, started Windows Modules Installer.

On the next attempt, Windows Update SUCCEEDED! Hallelujah!

There's probably a simpler way to resolve the issue, but this worked for me. Hope this helps...

I must say I forgot about this old thread you're talking about .This thread is from public usenet newsgroup and is fully visible on our forum also:Windows Modules Installer missing...

So to resolve this error you have to use both @Koenig method and my

Im having a similar problem, I actually have a thread going:

Cannot update anything, 80080005

The Windows Module Installer is in my services, but when I try to get them it running it gives me an error code 126 "The specified module cannot be found."

I have trustedinstaller.exe in my servicing folder, and whatever I do, it just wont work. Im almost sure this is the root of all my other problems from my other post.

Your TrustedInstaller.exe can be corrupted.Neverless I suggest extract from Vista DVD this file and extract.To do this you have to use WAIK or simple 7-Zip

If nothing help try System Restore or Repair Install For Vista.I found more trustedInstaller keys:

But to import it to registry is required changing permissions - both SYSTEM and Administrator don't have full access to these keys.In my opinion it's no worth to try

On a client's computer running VB 32bit I had the same problem - no updates. Windows Modules Installer could not be started -- The specified module could not be found.

I replaced the whole Windows\Servicing folder from Vista SP1 DVD - no fix.

As a last resort I used ProcMon to log what's going on when TrustedInstaller attempted to start. When filtered on the TrustedInstaller.Exe process I found that right before exit the process tried to open the file
C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.18000_none_095f6148c74a7a64\wrpint.dll unsuccessfully.
I checked the file wrpint.dll was indeed missing from that folder.
I found the file in the immediate above folder
C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990
Broke permissions and copied the file. It fixed the problem, the service started and updates have been installed.