Windows 10: I'm running Windows 10 and have been seeing 100% disk utilization in task manager even...

"I'm running Windows 10 and have been seeing 100% disk utilization in task manager even though nothing is running on the machine, how do I isolate and fix this ? This is causing my PC to run slow." I have followed the directions at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/100-disk-usage-on-windows-10/17e3aa7e-4a2a-4927-97bd-bdb2f7dbe04b twice. The usage drops down to normal, but goes back to 100% after a few hours. The ASUS laptop has a HDD. What can I do?

:)

 

Disk utilization 100% in Task manager

My laptop shows 100% disk utilization in the task manager for the first 20-30 mins after I start my machine. During this time when it is 100%, system performance is very slow. After 30 mins, disk utilization drops again under 20% and everything is normal.

I tried reaching out to Microsoft help a couple of times in the past and they suggested me to update my windows. That may have resolved the issue temporarily for few days but it starts behaving like this again.

 

Task Manager show 100% disk utilization on Windows 10

Hi Charles,



Please reply to a few questions asked below to understand the issue better:

• 
  Did you try disabling the Startup programs on the computer?
  
• 
  Did you scan for the presence of virus/malware content on the computer?
  

The issue might occur due to the presence of virus/malware content on the computer. Scan the PC for the presence of virus/malware by running the antivirus security software. Run the antivirus security software twice to detect and confirm the presence
of malware/virus on your PC. Check for the status of the scan to view the presence of virus/malware.



If haven’t tried, refer to the methods suggested in Task Manager might show 100% disk utilization
on Windows 10 article and check if it helps.



Write to us with the status of 100% disk utilization on the computer for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Windows 10 - Task Manager Reports 100% Disk Utilization with MSI Mode Enabled

Summary: This article addresses a Windows 10 issue where Windows Task Manager might show 100% disk utilization on devices with Message Signaled Interrupt (MSI) mode enabled.

Symptoms:

(NOTE: This article is not intended to address all potential causes and contributing factors that are associated with a 100% Disk Utilization issue. This article addresses a specific cause as outlined by Microsoft.)

Symptoms of this issue include the following:

• Task Manager reporting the hard disk to be operating at 100% utilization despite a light workload or no workload
  
• The computer may experience lag or become unresponsive.
  
• The computer event log contains numerous events with Event ID 129, which represent resets of the disk controller.
  

Cause:

Microsoft reports that an issue exists with some Advanced Host Controller Interface PCI-Express(AHCI PCIe) models that cause these symptoms in Windows 10 when running with the StorAHCI.sys driver. Due to a suspected firmware incompatibility, the Solid-state drive (SSD) does not properly complete input/output operations when Message Signaled Interrupt (MSI) mode is enabled in Windows 10. As a result, the Windows storage stack attempts to reset the device after encountering unresponsive read or write commands over time.

Resolution:

Microsoft has provided the following steps to disable MSI mode for specific devices using the registry:

1. Determine that the computer is running the default AHCI driver (StorAHCI.sys):
   
   1. Open a command prompt with administrator privileges. Then type devmgmt.msc in the command prompt window and press Enter.
      
   2. Under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers right-click the AHCI controller node and select Properties. This node is normally called "Standard SATA AHCI Controller."
      
   3. Click the Driver Details tab.
      
   4. If "StorAHCI.sys" is listed, the computer is running the default driver.
      
2. Disable MSI for the controller in the registry:
   
   1. In the same properties window opened in step 1.2, browse the Details tab and select Device instance path from the Property drop-down menu. Note this path.
      
   2. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the previously opened command prompt.
      
   3. Browse: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI\<AHCI Controller>\Device Parameters\Interrupt Management\MessageSignaledInterruptProperties, (where <AHCI Controller> refers to the device instance path you noted in step 2.1).
      
   4. Change the value of the MSISupported key from "1" to "0."
      
   5. If you do not know which controller your boot device is attached to, repeat steps 2.1 through 2.4 for all AHCI controllers found under 1.2.
      
3. Reboot the machine.
   

Source: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/...ts-100-disk-utilization-with-msi-mode-enabled

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