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

I have had the same problem with 3 brand new laptops in my house. I am getting sick of all of the crapware MS adds to windows. It used to be a good OS back in the win 95 days, but not anymore. Between fighting with Skype, Cortana, OneDrive, OneNote, and the lousy Mail program that I can't get to work the way I want it to, I cannot view a simple webpage in IE. I'm gonna download me a copy of Ubuntu...problem SOLVED! I can play a movie while downloading 3 files at the same time, and my Intel Core 2 Duo CPU never goes past 25%. How's that for multitasking?

I use a HP - purchased May 2016

Windows 10 Home Edition (pre-installed)

Currently running version 1607 build 16393.187

Intel Core i3-5020U CPU @ 2.20 GHz

64-bit x64 processor

I do not have Chrome or Skype installed on this laptop.

It was fast & great for the first week I owned it and has been limping along ever since the first update downloaded. Since Anniversary Update forced its way onto my system, it limps even slower with the 100% usage occurring more frequently and lasting longer.

Unfortunately, the problem traces to Service Host & System :(

Hi,

Having had this problem and fixed it, I can say that changing to an SSD (solid state drive) will not necessarily solve the problem - since for me it was the cause of the problem, as the 100% disk usage (and slowdown to the point of hanging) only occurred after changing from a normal drive to an SSD.

The solution for me was to force Windows to use a different driver for the hard disk drive - so I have no doubt that this is most likely the best solution for people facing the problem where there's 100% disk usage AND a huge slow down in PC performance.

Those just seeing 100% disk usage with no other PC problems are probably just experiencing disk indexing, virus scanning, etc. and some of the other solutions will probably work for them.

Just like someone else here, they downloaded a different HD driver and instantly found a solution.

I detailed what I did here:

Task Manager shows 100% disk utilization on Windows 10 but ...

Hope it helps.

Richard

Thank you very much for your help !!

Hi Osvaldo,

I agree with you that this is not likely a third-party software problem. I also believe however, that Windows 10, for the most part, was a good upgrade. In my particular case, I still believe that my Defender was the problem....I stated:

"While I had no problems with my Windows 8.1 to 10 upgrade for six months, clearly for me, something had changed, likely with a "buggy" update about 1 1/2 months ago that has compromised my Defender." 

My exact symptoms:

- Computer slow to respond, fan running fast, fan exhaust is hot.

- Task Manager showing "100% disk usage."

- Task Manager showing "Windows Antimalware Executable" > "Windows Defender Service" to be the culprit.

(See my 9/11/2016 post for my complete info)

Like my own "fix," I see changing to an SSD (Solid State Drive) as you and many other's have done, as simply another "work-around" and not truly a "fix." I say this because while you are blaming the problem on Windows 10, you're fixing it by replacing your perfectly good hard drive.

Having said that.....if changing to an SSD works for you....then it's entirely worthwhile to do. It's become obvious to us that everyone just needs find what works for them. After all, we simply want our computers to work.

I'm simply providing one more option that's quick (5 minutes) and easy for anyone to try.....

So, a simple (and FREE) download of "Spybot Search & Destroy" did the trick, and my computer is now 100% happy.

Todd