100% disk utilization

Question

Windows 10 Dell Laptop is always running very slow due to 100% disk utilization even at startup. Task manager shows Google Chrome as the biggest utilizer even though only the home page is up. It is very frustrating as the laptop came with Windows 8 which was running smoothly. Problem started once I upgraded to Windows 10. Is there any particular service I need to disable to avoid this 100% disk utilization all the time?

Answer 1

Hi,

My name is Angel. I am an Independent Advisor. Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

FIX : Windows 10 100 Percent Disk Usage Problem

1. Press W8K + R and type devmgmt.msc in the Run, hit Enter key to open Device Manager snap-in.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and right click on Standard SATA AHCI Controller, select Properties.
3. In the property sheet, switch to Driver tab and click Driver Details.
4. If the Driver File Details window shows storahci.sys driver listed there, it means you’re running inbox driver and hence it is possible to disable MSI mode. Click OK.
5. Back on the property sheet, switch to Details tab. Against Property, select Device instance path from drop-down and note down the Value mentioned there.

Registry Disclaimer: The further steps will involve registry manipulation. Making mistakes while manipulating registry could affect your system adversely. So be careful while editing registry entries and create a System Restore point first.

6. Press W8K + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.
7. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI<AHCI Controller Value>\Device Parameters\Interrupt Management\MessageSignaledInterruptProperties

*Substitute <AHCI Controller Value> we got in step 5.

8. In the right pane of MessageSignaledInterruptProperties key, look for the registry DWORD (REG_DWORD) named MSISupported which should be corresponding to Value 1 as its Data. Double click on the DWORD to modify its value:
9. Finally, set the Value data as 0 and click OK. Close Registry Editor and reboot. After restarting your machine, the 100% disk usage problem should disappear.

Source: https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-100-pe...

Hope the information provided is useful. If the issue persists, reply here and we will be glad to help you.

Angel.

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

I have seen recommendations to disable Windows Search and SuperFetch.  Should those be disable?

Answer 3

Were you able to do all steps?

Answer 4

storahci.sys is not the driver listed on my system. Rather I have iaStoreA.sys

Answer 5

Hi neha898,

I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Please try these options one by one and check after each option.

A. Run Built-in & Guided Walk through Windows Update troubleshooter

Built-in : Windows Key+X > Click Settings > Click Update & security > Click Troubleshoot > Click Windows Update > Click Run the Troubleshooter

Guided Walk though - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/...

B. Run SFC/DISM

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

C. Also you should run CHKDSK. To run CKHDSK -

Type cmd in Windows Start Search box

Right click on cmd.exe > Run As Administrator

Type following and Enter to fix problems on the C: drive while you're using it, and will use as much system resources as allowed so that it will run as quickly as possible.

chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf

D. Run through Windows 10 Performance and Install Integrity Checklist by Greg Carmack, MVP to make sure that your Windows installation is rightly set up and optimized. Take all recommended steps outlined there to have best experience -

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

E. Please check out the range of solutions which have worked for people in the below thread. Read fully first and then start from simple tips to complex ones.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help. If above didn't work, I will supply more troubleshooting steps to solve this problem.