Windows 10 is running slow -- Fixed

JimDawson

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I have been sitting at the computer for the last 3 weeks or so working on some new software and noted that my computer was running slow especially after the last update from Microsoft. High disk, CPU, and memory usage. Initially I thought it was swapping because of the number of programs and windows that I had open and was using a lot of resources. So to ''fix'' the problem I increased the memory from 4 gig to 8 gig thinking that more memory would help. :cautious:

Well, the problem actually got worse, was taking about 10 minutes after a reboot for the computer to become useful again with very high CPU and disk usage. Adding the memory made my computer almost useless. :confused: So I started digging a bit. Open the Task Manager (right click on the taskbar) and look at the Processes. It turns out that there are two Microsoft services that were causing the problem, neither of which are needed.:mad:

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry ''periodically sends usage and performance data to select Microsoft IP addresses so that they can improve user experience and fix potential issues, and is enabled by default.'' The problem is that it now runs almost continuously, and makes the computer almost useless.

Here is how to turn it off https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledg...ibility-telemetry-high-disk-usage-solved/#Way 1. Using Group Policy Editor

SuperFetch service. This is a ''helpful'' service that loads pieces of frequently used programs in to unused memory so the programs load faster when you click on them, kind of turning the memory into a hard drive. Well it turns out that increasing the memory actually slowed the computer down because Windows saw the additional memory as a place to stuff more pieces of programs. Not only using up memory, but causing high disk usage while loading the crap. If you don't start the program that Microsoft thinks you wanted to load, then it takes twice as long for the program to load while the current memory data is being stuffed into the Page File system on the HD, then it loads the program. I can live with my programs taking a few extra seconds to load.

Here is how to turn SuperFetch off:
Disable from Services
  1. Hold the Windows Key, while pressing “R” to bring up the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “services.msc“, then press “Enter“.
  3. The Services window displays. Find “Superfetch” in the list.
  4. Right-click “Superfetch“, then select “Properties“.
  5. Select the “Stop” button if you wish to stop the service.
  6. In the Startup Type box, select Disable
After turning these service off my computer is back to normal. :dancing banana:
 
Just my opinion Jim, but I don't recommend running Win10 on any system with less than 16GB of memory. The OS has gotten too bloated with crap (as you've discovered) to be functional with anything less.

I have 32GB in my Win10/gamer system because of the high-fidelity flight sims I like to drive, but have not experienced any slowdowns to date. I will look into shutting off that telemetry nonsense though. Microsoft doesn't need to know how I run my system. :)

EDIT: Checked and those services are not even configured (don't ever run) on my system. I disabled telemetry just in case, but do you know what activated this 'feature' on you system?
 
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I had similar problems to what you encountered, my CPU was running at close to 100% all the time in background (pop up the show task manager button). On one computer it was the update service would not shut down after hours, and then more recently Microsoft's antivirus software was running continuously at full tilt. I had to turn my update service off similar way to what you did for the superfetch, until some later point when a new update was available, and I loaded Avast antiviral program which deactivated the Microsoft antiviral software. It seems like with every update there are more problems that pop up, have the same problem with the smart phones, or should I say dumb phones.

I advise everybody to turn off all the telemetry services that Microsoft uses to track everything that you do.
 
Just my opinion Jim, but I don't recommend running Win10 on any system with less than 16GB of memory. The OS has gotten too bloated with crap (as you've discovered) to be functional with anything less.

Unfortunately my antique computer will only handle 8 gigs of memory. :rolleyes:

I disabled telemetry just in case, but do you know what activated this 'feature' on you system?

No idea, but it may have been the latest update. That is when I first noticed the problem.
 
A friend/former engineer of mine tried for years to get me to go to some linux variant. When I asked if I could do the things I do on a Windows machine, he said 'no'. We used it at work of course on many of the test servers I was responsible for, but until it can run my flight sims and games I have no use for it.

Besides, I have X11/Unix compatibility on the iMac I'm typing on right now. What do I need a stripped down version for? ;)
 
Unfortunately my antique computer will only handle 8 gigs of memory. :rolleyes:

Dude, you can put together a decent winblows system fairly cheap nowadays. At least a 16GB system. Quit spending all your money on your toys....err...machines. :D
 
We have many machines at work that are Windows based. We stopped at Win7 due to the fact it has been the most stable since XT and the machine vendors can not keep up with Microsoft continuing changes! At home I use Ubuntu and from a cold start to onto the internet it takes 30 seconds. Also I can do anything that I need to do and even some programs that I use are Unix based so they run much faster than in the Windows environment. The only reason I have Win7 on a laptop is to be able to use my Autocad 2000. My main Ubuntu system has 96 G of RAM and I have a couple ram drives setup as well. It kicks Window butt all day long. HP Z800 with 2-5660 CPUs, 256 G SSD and 2 T spin drive. I bought it for under $1000 and it came with Win7 Pro and I made it a dual boot system with primary as Ubuntu.
Pierre
 
If one needs Windows use à VM I have installed about 4 vm on My 8gb MacMini and that Works Well enough. Mac os x as à host or linux on other toys with either os x beos haiku even Classic amiga and 2 Windows version.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk Pro
 
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