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
    2016-09-12T18:44:02+00:00

    I don't think you, me or anyone else has a problem with third party software.. The problem is with Microsoft Windows 10 OS related with Machanical hard drive. I've done a lot of test... did a fresh WIndows 10 install in 3 different HDD and 2 of them has this issue right from the beginning, but the strange is that all them works flawless with WIndows 7 and Ubuntu with 0% HDD usage when I'm idle. I also have seen A LOT people reporting the problem (poor people who has no technical knowledge and keep using this **** without an option). This S%#@$ is happening only in Windows 10 since it was release and Microsoft is pretending nothing happen. I'm done doing unofficial procedures to try to fix it... The only solution is to buy a SSD.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-13T13:52:51+00:00

    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

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-14T17:34:21+00:00

    Thank you very much for your help !!

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-14T17:47:11+00:00

    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

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-09-16T00:16:51+00:00

    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 :(

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