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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.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I have had this problem since upgrading to Win 10 and have tried every trick listed online including this one. I never have used Skype. My computer becomes useless for as long as my disk is at 100% disk usage. The only recourse is to restart and it might go into that mode all over again without explanation, without any recourse to extricate myself from it.
Hi, This addresses bursts of memory usage, but I noticed that the 100% Total error pops up when zero memory is in use. I found that if I load a video (MP3) using Windows Media Player when I start up (switch off sound and set repeat on) then the player constantly requests memory so it never goes to zero and never gets to the 100% Usage error condition. Short and sweet solution to a coding error which may be using >0 instead of >=0.
Hello sir, what if you do not have Skype?
Thank you very much sir you are a wealth of information. God bless you.
I second that and if I had more knowledge of computer science I would have volunteered to do a research as explained, sir. So may I ask why do you not do it yourself and I would volunteer to do any leg work that understanding of simple English may suffice. I hope that I have not insulted you in anyway as it is not my way.
