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
    2016-10-01T09:10:58+00:00

    This problem started for a lot lot lot computers when Windows 10 installed in them. That is the 1st thing we all have to realize. 

    Changing to an ssd does not solve the problem it just make it hard to see. 

    Changing hard drive will not solve this problem. Not at all. 

    But changing operating system does solve the problem. That is the only real and viable solution. 

    So instead of giving the abbility to Ms to announce greater numbers in Windows 10 installations people should start changing to other operating systems. 

    Yes I can understand that this is not an easy task for everyone. To some it is an extra cost in time and mon

    A week ago Ms support told a client of mine that his hard disk was the problem. So he went to a store and change the HD. Reinstalled windows 10. And the same day the problem started again. And again Ms told him the hard disk has a problem. He went back to the store and change to a new hard disk again, andthis time the store did not charge him as they should not even if they found no problem with the hard disk they sold him the same day.  They did not even charge him for the 2ond windows 10 installation for a second time in the same day. 

    Guess what.  Problem appeared again. 

    Then he asked me what to do. I just installed Windows 7 and problem solved. 

    I m up to 1400 more or less, reverted installations from Windows 10 to another operating system (7,8,linux,osx).

    So for once I would like to extra thank Microsoft since because of this problem in Windows 10, I have managed to expand my client list to 3 times up,  and be able to finish my home repairs in 3 months.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-10-03T13:08:17+00:00

    "Changing to an ssd does not solve the problem it just make it hard to see."

    It has nothing to do with SSD's because I have an SSD that worked fine B4 I installed the 'Anniversary Update'.

    After installing the Anniversary Update I started experiencing this Disk Usage BS...

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-10-04T02:47:26+00:00

    Hi, 

    1.  Newer Laptops w/ Windows 10 is not having this problem. 
    2.  My laptop is 2 1/2 years old, my daughter's laptop is 4 1/2 years old, both HP's, both AMD chips, it starts at 100% disk usage, however, in 5-10 minutes goes down between 3% to 6%.  So, some older laptops work and some do not. 

    What you have said makes sense.  The best solution if your laptop is having the problem is to go back to Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or try Ubuntu/Lubuntu.  It is very easy to put the newer versions, 15 or 16 of Ubuntu on a computer.  If you want to it is easy to install a Windows O/S in the VirtualBox, (Windows 2000-Windows 8.1), and use all your Windows program within the LinuxBox...or use the Boot Loader that comes with Linux to choose either Linux or Windows.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-10-04T05:00:24+00:00

    New laptops and computers with latest chipset/motherboard do have the problem. 

    I have at least 5 next to me waiting to be fixed. 

    Does not matter if you have Intel or amd. 

    Understand windows 10 have a problem. 

    I have fixed a looooooot of computers till now and I cannot understand the pattern that makes this problem appear. In my documentation you will see all kind of chipsets, all kind of data controler, all kind of hard disks, all kind of memory and cpu. Old and new. The only reference point is the damn operating system.

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-10-06T05:39:53+00:00

    I am a name brand computer Rep., and do pretty well selling laptops.  I go around and sell at four of the major suppliers of computers in the Los Angeles Area, and I have never seen a new Laptop or Desktop returned for this reason.  Most of the returns I have seen are the Chinese factories screwing up the keyboards. 

    I just have never seen a customer return this problem.

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