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Remove TrustedInstaller.exe “Virus” – Update March 2020

What is TrustedInstaller? This article has been created with the main idea of helping you by explaining what is the TrustedInstaller.exe virus and how to remove Trusted Installer effectively from your computer.

TrustedInstaller “Virus”

If you have come to this article, you are likely wondering what the TrustedInstaller.exe virus is and how you can remove it from your computer effectively. TrustedInstaller.exe is malware that is capable of compromising your computer by performing series of unwanted activities. One of the main activities is for the TrusterInstaller.exe to overload the CPU usage of the computer it is running on.

And while TrustedInstaller.exe is a process, belonging to Windows Modules Installer service, which is available in Windows 10/8/7 and Vista, it may also be a fake process, or it could be corrupted by malware. In this article we will explain how you can identify TrustedInstaller.exe and how to remove it if it’s malware.

Threat Summary

Name TrustedInstaller.exe
Type Malware or Windows Error
Short Description If malware may perform series of unwanted activities among which may be Cryptocurrency mining or Spyware actions.
Symptoms Your computer may begin to experience system slowdowns and other suspicious and uncalled for activities.
Distribution Method Via malware or as a result of a problem with your OS.
Detection Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware

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User Experience Join Our Forum to Discuss TrustedInstaller.exe.

TrustedInstaller.exe – Distribution Methods

If TrustedInstaller.exe is not malware, the file is generally located in the following Windows Directory:

→ C:\Windows\servicing\TrustedInstaller.exe

If the file is malware, one indicator for it is to have another location besides the original one.

If malware, the TrustedInstaller.exe may be dropped on your computer as a result of you opening a malicious web link or an infection file of some sort. Usually these objects may be spread via a variety of distribution methods, like:

  • Being uploaded on websites.
  • Infecting your PC as an automatic redirect from a malicious or corrupted site.
  • Sending the malicious file disguised as a document (Invoice, Receipt) attached to an e-mail.
  • Pretending to be a setup, portable file or other seemingly legitimate file sent to the victim or downloaded from a corrupted WordPress site by the cyber-crooks.

What is TrustedInstaller.exe? Activity and Analysis

If original, the TrustedInstaller.exe should indicate that it belongs to the Windows Modules Installer:

However, if this file belongs to a trusted installer virus, it may not only have another location, but the file may also have other support modules that may perform a wide variety of unwanted and malicious activities on your computer such as:

  • Take screenshots.
  • Log your keystrokes.
  • Mine for cryptocurrencies, using your CPU.
  • Obtain files from your PC.
  • Tap into your camera and microphone.
  • Display redirects, open sites automatically, show ads.
  • Install other viruses on your PC.

If the file is legitimate however and is utilizing a high percentage of your system’s resources, you should know that this is normal and temporary and you should leave it at that. If not, however, you should proceed towards detecting and removing Trusted installer virus, related to it from your computer.

Remove TrustedInstaller from Your Computer

If you have identified the .exe file to be malicious and you want to remove TrustedInstaller virus from your computer system, we strongly suggest that you follow the removal instructions for trusted installer underneath this article. They have been created with the main idea to help you remove this virus, preferably by following the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been divided in manual as well as automatic removal instructions. Be advised that most malware such as trusted installer creates various different registry objects and may also change your settings. This is why it is strongly recommended to download and run a scan with an advanced anti-malware software. Such program aims to effectively locate all malicious files and objects on your PC and remove them, plus it has a real-time shield, ensuring protection against malware in the future too.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

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Preparation before removing TrustedInstaller.exe.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

  • Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
  • Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
  • Be patient as this could take a while.
  • Scan for Malware
  • Fix Registries
  • Remove Virus Files

Step 1: Scan for TrustedInstaller.exe with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.


It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.


2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 1


3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 2


4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 3

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 2: Clean any registries, created by TrustedInstaller.exe on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by TrustedInstaller.exe there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:


1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 6


2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 7


3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 8 Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

Step 3: Find virus files created by TrustedInstaller.exe on your PC.


1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 9

2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 10

3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

file extension malicious

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.

2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:

1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Remove Virus Trojan

2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 11

3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

TrustedInstaller.exe FAQ

What Does TrustedInstaller.exe Trojan Do?

The TrustedInstaller.exe Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.

Can Trojans Steal Passwords?

Yes, Trojans, like TrustedInstaller.exe, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.

Can TrustedInstaller.exe Trojan Hide Itself?

Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.

Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?

Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind, that there are more sophisticated Trojans, that leave backdoors and reinfect even after factory reset.

Can TrustedInstaller.exe Trojan Infect WiFi?

Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.

Can Trojans Be Deleted?

Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.

Can Trojans Steal Files?

Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.

Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?

Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.

Can Trojans Infect USB?

Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.

About the TrustedInstaller.exe Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this TrustedInstaller.exe how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.

How did we conduct the research on TrustedInstaller.exe?

Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)

Furthermore, the research behind the TrustedInstaller.exe threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.

3 Comments
  1. Jessica

    In order to delete a file or folder which is owned by TrustedInstaller.exe, you have to take the rights of the files or folders with full authorization.

    Reply
  2. AliceInBlunderland

    TrustedInstaller is NOT a virus it is a legitmate Windows 10 program that protects files on the OS. How’s it feel to have such a BIG nose?

    Reply
    1. Milena Dimitrova

      From the article: And while TrustedInstaller.exe is a process belonging to Windows Modules Installer service, which is available in Windows 10/8/7 and Vista, it may also be a fake process, or it could be corrupted by malware.

      Reply

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