Insane RAM spikes from Service Host: Diagnostic Policy

Indexing after Windows Install indexing files on the Hard drive or SSD? Defender updating/running a quick scan? Only guesses that I thought might be helpful to add possibly.

f14tomcat said:

You tried everything else, swap the memory sticks in the sockets. Or go to Amazon and order a Voodoo Doll and pins!

Can't, this laptop only has one RAM slot, despite Task Manager saying it has two.

AMDMan2016 said:

Indexing after Windows Install indexing files on the Hard drive or SSD? Defender updating/running a quick scan? Only guesses that I thought might be helpful to add possibly.

It's not Defender or the indexer. It's Service Host: Diagnostic Policy Service every single time.

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f14tomcat said:

You tried everything else, swap the memory sticks in the sockets. Or go to Amazon and order a Voodoo Doll and pins!

Can't, this laptop only has one RAM slot, despite Task Manager saying it has two.

AMDMan2016 said:

Indexing after Windows Install indexing files on the Hard drive or SSD? Defender updating/running a quick scan? Only guesses that I thought might be helpful to add possibly.

It's not Defender or the indexer. It's Service Host: Diagnostic Policy Service every single time.

Ztruker said:

Did you ever give us the specs for your system? Make and full model number of manufacturer or system board. Same for GPU and hard drive.

i3-7100U. Original RAM is 4GB stick from Samsung, my upgraded RAM is an 8GB stick from Corsair.

It's a ThinkPad 11e, model 20HT.

SSD is an M.2 from SanDisk, it's some generic OEM one, nothing special.

Ztruker said:

You don't happen to have a drive you could try in place of the M.2 do you, just for testing purposes.

I'm suggesting removing the M.2 and installing a SSD or Laptop SATA III drive and do a clean install to see what happens. I know this sounds ridiculous but I'm trying to eliminate anything I can.

Something to think about anyway.

I don't have a spare M.2 drive, unfortunately. Also, this laptop doesn't have the typical 2.5" drive slot, so can't do that either. But I honestly don't think the drive is the issue, I just checked CrystalDiskInfo and I'm still at 99% life, and SMART is not showing any issues.

Ztruker said:

I don't either, just trying to eliminate possibilities. Is this a Yoga notebook? Did it come with the M.2?

Not Yoga, just the regular one. (Although you're correct, there is a Yoga version that flips around)

Another shot in the dark. How are you installing drivers (and where from)?. You could try Snappy Driver Installer.
Enable System Restore first and make sure the program is creating a Restore Point.