Fixing 100% disk usage in Windows 10 with Chrome and Skype running

Anonymous
2015-08-16T12:25:27+00:00

How to fix 100% disk usage in Windows 10

This is caused by a common combination of Skype as well Google Chrome. Similar issue with other programs could also cause 100% disk usage. To fix this do the following:

Google Chrome:

In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Show Advanced Settings ... > Privacy > Prefetch resources to load pages more quickly

and untick it. See Figure-1 below:

Figure-1

Skype:

Make sure you have exited Skype and it is not running in the taskbar (if it is running in the taskbar then quit it).

Open Windows Explorer and open the following folder:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone"

Now right click "Skype.exe" file and then click "Properties" and open the "Security" tab.

Click the "Edit" button and then highlight "ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES" and place a tick in the "Write" box.

Click "Apply" and then "OK" and then "OK" again. See Figures-2 to Figure-6 below:

This is it, now run Skype and check the Disk Usage in Task Manager and it will no longer show you 100% disk usage anymore:-

I hope this helps people. I spent a long time in finding a solution to this problem.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-06-12T17:17:23+00:00

    If they both needed to be performed I think they would say "Step 1" and "Step 2". Using the word "Method" indicates two ways of doing the same thing. In my experience "Method 2" need be used on Windows 10 Home since gpedit.msc is not available.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-30T03:15:31+00:00

    This didn't work for me, so, let me help someone that dont have Skype or Chrome to do it.

    • Holding down the Windows key on your keyboard and hitting "R".  A Run window will appear.
    • Type in "services.msc".
    • Sort the list alphabetically by clicking on the first column which is the name of the service.
    • Scroll through the list of services and Disable Superfetch and Windows Search.
    • Do a complete power down of your PC.
    • Restart the PC and enjoy!

    If you dont wanna restart the PC,waint for a few minutes to see if it Works.

    For me, worked a couple minutes after STOPPING Windows Search service.

    But you need to put it MANUAL, instead of AUTOMATIC. Otherwise it will start next time you turn your PC on.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-11T17:19:05+00:00

    I am having the same problem on PC...  it looks like there are hundreds if not thousands of people out there with the same issue.  It has been a problem for me for literally months and months.  I'm surprised Microsoft has not fixed this...  instead we're supposed to start doing endless testing and tweaking of our systems?  They really should not expect so much of the general PC user.  I don't have to spend months testing and tweaking my iphone, and it runs VERY fast...  no issues at all.

       Anyway...  I'll add my silent voice as well to the hundreds of other people here who it seems Microsoft is quietly ignoring.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-26T16:24:04+00:00

    Having tried this solution and many others suggested on various sites which worked in the short term but always reoccurred the next time computer was powered up. I found that changing Windows Update from starting automatically to manually solved this problem for me.

    Enter 'Services' in search bar and choose 'Services (Desktop app)'

    Scroll down to 'Windows Update' right click on the Windows Update line and choose the 'Properties' option

    In the 'General' tab go to the Startup type and in the drop down option box choose 'Manual'

    Click on 'Apply' followed by 'OK'

    Hope this helps.

    My computer already had it on MANUAL and still it shows Disk 100% anyway.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-12-07T15:14:51+00:00

    I have a (just of  the box) Dell Inspiron 15 5559. I have the same problem. I have tried many of these solutions but it still takes about 8 minutes before the 100% disk goes away. This is horrible. As much as I hate Apple ( and I really hate Apple), maybe it's time to throw in the towel and go with one of these overpriced machines that has a working operating system.

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