Bare Minimum Settings / Services

SchoolBoyError · 24 Jan 2019

Hello all,

I have an old computer that I have in the garage running Windows 10. It has Opera install and I essentially want to use it to watch BT Sport / Netflix while I am cycling on my exercise bike.

I'm having the 100% disk usage problem and started looking for a .bat file or a program or something that would fix this and it made me think; is there a script or file or program or anything that will turn off all services I don't need so that the computer runs as fast as possible just to browse the web?

Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Many thanks.

dalchina · 24 Jan 2019

Hi, you shouldn't be looking at disabling services - which are sometimes obscurely interrelated or have unexpected effects if you do so.

Rather check RAM usage, how much free space on C: (paging?), post a screenshot of your task manager organised high to low showing what is using your CPU, and try a clean boot for comparison if it's not a paging problem.

On another track, there are threads on this forum showing 100% usage at low transfer rates. It may be worth researching that issue.

SchoolBoyError · 24 Jan 2019

Thank you, I'll have a look. I appreciate the advice

AndreTen · 24 Jan 2019

I would check the Antivirus 1st. And, if computer didn't run in a while, let it update and run for a night. Search indexer, AV check and similar have to be done and all of them are accessing the disk.

dalchina · 24 Jan 2019

Search indexing should be doing nothing if indexing is complete and impose no overhead if working properly, except for processing changes in indexed locations.

It also 'backs off' (stops working) if there's just a little other activity.

Need evidence- task manager is the first step.

eLPuSHeR · 25 Jan 2019

Check your drivers, specially chipset ones. Sometimes, newer ones doesn't mean better. Fetch them from manufacturers webpage if possible.

SchoolBoyError · 25 Jan 2019

I'll have a look when I get home today and post a screenshot if that helps.

dalchina · 25 Jan 2019

Some threads on this: as I suggested- I've searched the forum for you
100% disk usage

100% disk usage on new laptop - Windows 10 Forums
100% disk usage in Windows 10. Help? - Page 2 - Windows 10 Forums
Disk Usage Jumping to 100% When Idle, Sometimes At Random Solved - Windows 10 Forums
100% Disk Usage, tried some methods found online. - Windows 10 Forums
Please fix this 100% disk problem, I've tried -everything- Solved - Windows 10 Forums
Running Barely Anything: Disk At 100% - Windows 10 Forums

See if there's anything there that helps.

AndreTen · 25 Jan 2019

Also check for mining adware. Can slow down systems..

Infrasonic · 25 Jan 2019

If it's got third party AV, uninstall it and let WD do the job.

Switch it to metered connection, it will cut down on the amount of background MS app activity, especially internet connections and associated 'busyness'. Speeds up boot times too.

Have a look at the startup tab in Task Manager and turn off high usage apps that are non essential. Right click, disable. Fully reversible, you won't break anything.

If you don't mind spending a bit of money (£20+) put an SSD in place of the HDD and clean install or clone the old drive. As it's an occasional use machine one of the cheap DRAM less SSD's should be fine, although I wouldn't recommend them for anything that gets used a lot because of the wear leveling issues.