So your computer is hanging and freezing. Same old Windows, right? Except you're using a brand-new Windows 10 device; you've only windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download it a few days. So just what is going on?
Surely this can't be, right? Sadly, it is. The latest versions of Windows have a problem with the drives being overworked, which slows down the operating system. When the error was first discovered, only a few culprits were found. Once you've established that there is a problem, you have several options available.
Check the following steps one at a time, checking the disk usage in the Task Manager after windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download. Note that even windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download you find a solution, a Windows Update could reset the changes you've made. Bookmarking this page will help you find it in the future and run through the fixes again. This performance issue is most obvious when attempting to use Windows Search to find a file or program, and anything else that requires the drive to do some work perhaps copying and pasting a group of files.
To establish whether it is a problem that is affecting you, when your computer next slows down, use Task Manager to run a disk check. Note that this may take some time to open with the drive being under strain. On the Processes tab look for the Disk column. However, using Windows' built-in disk check can fix this:. Wait while the system scans the drive; a reboot may be required for a full disk repair.
This should deal with the error. As with any performance issue, the first thing to do is confirm that your computer hasn't been infected with malware. Your security software should be able to deal with this, whether it's a free app or a paid suite. At the very least, tools like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be able to scan your system drive and detect any problems.
Note that with a heavy load on your drive already this may take a while. If threats are found, use the software's recommendations to discard them and reboot.
Next, check your drive's performance again. Hopefully, you've resolved the issue; if not, then malware wasn't to blame, so read on. A bug in Windows 10 results in a "search loop" that causes an increased load on the system drive. To stop this and prevent it from happening during your current session until Windows is rebooted :. That should solve most issue. If there is no change, even after rebooting, you can permanently disable Windows Search and Indexing.
A few moments after disabling Windows Search, your Windows 10 performance should improve considerably. If not, move on…. To prevent this service from causing the disk usage issue, open another Windows PowerShell Admin and enter:.
Again, wait a few moments to check whether this has had any effect on your computer's performance. You should also run Check Disk in PowerShell:. You'll be informed that your PC must be rebooted for Check Disk to complete, so make sure you have closed all your applications first.
If this doesn't work, it is likely that you're experiencing a frustrating iteration of this issue that is simple to resolve. Flash remains one of the most vulnerable aspects of modern computing and should be disabled. The next thing to do is update to the latest version of Chrome. If you can't see any of the options, don't worry. It simply means that your version of Chrome has already updated and no longer supports Flash.
The obvious option is to choose a different browser. Windows 10 already has two browsers built in. You probably don't want to use Internet Explorer, but Microsoft Edge is an adequate replacement for Chrome. Related: The Best Browsers for Windows. In an era when online collaboration and video meetings is increasing, Skype is a likely culprit. Since Skype has been more closely integrated with Windows 10, it is a little trickier to deal with.
What you can do, however, is stop Skype from running to help determine if it is the cause of the issues. Head back to the Task Manager to see the change. You may also consider finding a Skype alternative. Under Runs at log-inchange the switch from On to Off. Further issues with Skype can also be dealt with in this screen. You can RepairResetand even Uninstall Skype to aid with your troubleshooting. Some drivers don't run quite as they should in Windows Double-click this, then change the Value data: to 0.
Enjoy gaming and have Steam installed? Usually this is due to update delivery, causing the background downloader to get caught in a loop. Clear the Steam cache to fix this. First, make sure you have exited Steam. In this case, use the Windows 10 Task Manager to close the software. Finally, it's worth considering the impact of diagnostic tracking in Windows When it comes to reducing your hard disk drive usage, windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download quicker to simply disable the DiagTrack service.
This usually only happens when Windows Update has a problem which is typically due to a file refusing to download. You have two options here:. Once the update has finished downloading, it's wise to run it as soon as possible. These numbers can be confusing, so with the first value, rely on the recommended option.
For the maximum value, aim for a figure no more than 1. The next step is to clear windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download temporary files that have been used in the previous virtual memory allocation. The downside, of course, is that your computer will use more power. Thanks to modern processor design this shouldn't be a massive issue. However, notebooks windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download desktop replacement laptops may take a hit on battery life.
If this isn't a displayed option, you'll need to create your own custom power plan. Click Create a power planthen choose High performance. Give the plan a name, tweak any personal settings you need then select it as a power plan to use. If the drivers aren't up to date, the disk usage error can occur. You may need to reboot Windows for this to take effect.
Note that if it doesn't work, you can still try this by checking the manufacturer's website for a new driver. This can be installed using the instructions that accompany it.
If disk usage windows 10 laptop slow 100 disk usage free download can be attributed to excessive disk activity, then it follows there might be a power-related cause. Once plugged into the power adaptor, the issue resolves.
Check our guide to new PC power supply units to help you choose a replacement. You'll have noticed this feature that pops up when you're doing something for the first time with useful tips and suggestions. Incorrectly identified as a virus or malware, WaasMedicAgent. Disabling the update medic is an extreme step to take. A slow computer is one with a problem, and if you cannot fix it by disabling a browser plugin, stopping services, or running your antivirus software, then the problem may well be hardware related.
Try these fixes the next time your Windows computer slows down. Be sure to check your Windows Experience Index periodically to identify performance issues in need of immediate resolution. Want to figure out your computer performance and any immediate bottlenecks? Check your Windows Experience Score on Windows Slow Performance?
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