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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 will recommend you use msconfig to run in safe boot mode with networking and also disable all non microsoft services in the services tab then reboot in safe mode and then see if it resolves the issue, if it does then start enabling one service at a time to find out which causes the problem to appear again.
Hope this helps.
I dont know how I missed this thread, but am having similar problems.
My 100% disk use always degenerates into a system hang with "windows not responding", however task manager shows disk and cpu activity on background processes. I am not convinced that the 100% disk usage is actual disk usage. I/O activity is low and is a only a small percentage of what my SSD is capable of. I have tried essentially all the solutions indicated.
- got rid of chrome
- got rid of skype
- did a clean install
- ran in safe mode (no apparent problem here)
- disabled everything in startup
- ran a memory test for a few hours (no issues)
- changed antivirus programs
- disabled network access
- System logs reveal nothing except "unexpected power loss due to the forced reboot"
I also have suspected something to do with sleeping and screen saver since sometime the system is essentially idle and the screen saver activates successfully, but when I type a key to reactivate it the system is frozen, except for the cursor.
In just about everything I have tried , I get the feeling that it has solved the problem because it may run okay for a couple of days but then Whamo a hang and I reboot every 10 or 20 minutes for a few hours and then it miraculously resolves itself for another day or so.
Any more diagnostic suggestions would be appreciated.
Other than this I like windows 10, it works fine on my desktop but not my laptop
Did you follow the instructions exactly word by word and step by step as listed?
Also, as mentioned in my post, there could be programs other than Skype and Google Chrome that may have a similar issue and causing the heightened disk activity. Have you confirmed its only Skype and Google Chrome causing the 100% disk activity?
Are you using a genuine and activated copy of Windows 10? Google Chrome has another setting in the advanced section called "Protect you and your device from dangerous sites" this will cause high disk activity if either your computer is infected with a virus or has either bootleg versions of Windows or Office. Please check your computer for potential viruses and / or trojans / Worms / Adware etc.
Another good place to see what may be going on is the Windows System and Application event log.
Please post your finding here so I (We) can help you.
Good luck.
me too,, I don't have these programs
Please do not quote the whole post, especially if you have nothing to add to it.
