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
    2016-09-26T16:24:04+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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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-27T11:58:58+00:00

    Hi Ilya,

    You may have a conflict problem between Malwarebytes and Avast, particularly if they both have "Real Time Protection" running.

    One or both of them could also be in conflict with Defender unless Defender is disabled. To check:  verify whether the Defender toggle switches are "greyed-out." If so, Defender is not likely in conflict.

    I think if it was me, I'd uninstall Avast and re-check your Task Mgr. If it's ok, try that for a few days to be sure.

    If that doesn't work, then un-install Malwarebytes next.

    Note: You will still have Defender to rely on for protection at this point because the "grey-out" switches will return to black, indicating Defender is back to "Active."

    These steps are all quick and easy.....just basic troubleshooting.

    And finally - Regarding "Sugarsync." "SugarSync is a cloud service that enables active synchronization of files across computers and other devices for file backup, access, syncing, and sharing...."   "The entire folder is continuously backed up in real time providing you access to your folders anytime, anywhere..."

    I realize that you're probably paying for the Sugarsync service so uninstalling it isn't desirable. Try to find out if you can temporarily turn off it's Real-Time activity because once again, this is likely either the problem or part of it.

    Todd

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-28T13:16:32+00:00

    I could not find all application packages... Please help

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-30T21:55:29+00:00

    This really helped.  Took my disk usage from 100% to 10%.  Thanks for the tip.

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-10-01T08:23:33+00:00

    Thank you so much!

    I'm still at high disk usage but nowhere near 100% like before!

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