Question A recurring pattern of Windows 10 degradation

[Dreamscape7]

Hi,

I observed a pattern in how my system develops problems over time. This means that at one point after developing all the issues I list below, I reinstalled Windows and everything worked perfectly. However, over the course of a few months the problems gradually reappeared in the exact same sequence.

I run Windows 10 (Version 1809) on Lenovo T480s.

1) The boot times get longer, towards c. 4 minutes.

2) The first palpable problem develops after 2-4 weeks when the fingerprint reader stops working. Reinstalling the drivers does not help (but a Windows reinstall restores it to working conditions).

3) After 2-3 months Windows starts booting with the wireless adapter turned off. This is resolved by switching it on, but I have to do it every time I start the system.

4) In a similar time-frame as the Wireless issue, the Windows 10 Search Bar stops accepting key input. This is resolved by restoring the Language Bar through the run command ("C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe").

Again, reinstalling Windows removes all these issues, but they come back after awhile. Due to the time frame in which they develop, I can't pin it down to a single update. Please advise!

 

[rgd1101]

what other app do you install on it?
full system spec?

 

[Dreamscape7]

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (10.0, Build 17763) (17763.rs5_release.180914-1434)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
BIOS: N22ET53W (1.30 ) (type: UEFI)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8250U CPU @ 1.60GHz (8 CPUs), ~1.8GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8042MB RAM
Page File: 9896MB used, 4545MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 12

I also run an eGPU connected via Thunderbolt 3 port, but the issues happen regardless of this being connected or not.

I used to have Lenovo Vantage software, but this current installation of Windows never had it, as I was generally reducing the amount of things in it to eliminate issues.

AV is AVG.

 

[rgd1101]

so you only have windows and nothing on it? no office, games, nothing?

 

[Dreamscape7]

so you only have windows and nothing on it? no office, games, nothing?

Apologies, I did not think this would have an effect. Here it goes:

Microsoft DCF MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft OneNote MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office OSM MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office OSM UX MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft InfoPath MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Access MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Excel MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Shared 64-bit Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Access Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft PowerPoint MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Publisher MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Outlook MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office 64-bit Components 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Shared 64-bit MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Groove MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Word MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Lync MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2013 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools 2013 - English 15.0.4420.1017
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools 2013 - Español 15.0.4420.1017
Outils de vérification linguistique 2013 de Microsoft Office - Français 15.0.4420.1017
Office 16 Click-to-Run Extensibility Component 16.0.10730.20344
Office 16 Click-to-Run Localization Component 16.0.10730.20344
Office 16 Click-to-Run Extensibility Component 64-bit Registration 16.0.10730.20344
Office 16 Click-to-Run Licensing Component 16.0.10730.20344
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization CS 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.4148 9.0.30729.4148
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization FI 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization FR 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft_VC90_CRT_x86 1.00.0000
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x64 Redistributable - 10.0.40219 10.0.40219
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0 SP1 x64 ENU CTP1 4.0.8854.1
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable (x64) 8.0.61000
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219 10.0.40219
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization CHS 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization BR 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x86 Minimum Runtime - 12.0.21005 12.0.21005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x86 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005 12.0.21005
UpdateAssistant 1.19.0.0
Runtime x86 for Power Manager 1.00.0000
Microsoft HEVC Media Extension Installation for Microsoft.HEVCVideoExtension_1.0.2512.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe (x64) 1.0.0.0
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization DE 2017.0424.2119.36535
Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software 20.120.0.2866
Microsoft VC++ redistributables repacked. 12.0.0.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x86 Minimum Runtime - 14.0.24215 14.0.24215
Branding64 1.00.0001
Intel(R) Trusted Connect Service Client x86 1.50.638.1
Intel(R) Trusted Connect Service Client x64 1.50.638.1
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization JA 2017.0424.2119.36535
Intel(R) ME UninstallLegacy 1.0.1.0
Lenovo Diagnostics Tool 4.26.1
Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool 64bit 4.1.0.31
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005 12.0.21005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.6161 9.0.30729.6161
Dolby Audio X2 Windows API SDK 0.8.8.88
Adobe Refresh Manager 1.8.0
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 19.012.20034
Microsoft VC++ redistributables repacked. 12.0.0.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.6161 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Minimum Runtime - 12.0.21005 12.0.21005
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization RU 2017.0424.2119.36535
PDF Settings CS6 11.0
Intel(R) Chipset Device Software 10.1.1.45
Intel(R) Wireless Manageability Driver Extension 1.0.0.0
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization CHT 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization TR 2017.0424.2119.36535
Intel(R) Management Engine Driver 1.0.0.0
Microsoft_VC80_CRT_x86 8.0.50727.4053
Runtime x64 for Power Manager 1.00.0000
Dolby Audio X2 Windows APP 0.8.8.76


AMD Problem Report Wizard 3.1.723.0
Google Update Helper 1.3.34.11
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization TH 2017.0424.2119.36535
Thunderbolt™ Software 17.4.78.500
Intel(R) Management Engine Components 1.0.0.0
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization ES 2017.0424.2119.36535
OpenOffice 4.1.6 4.16.9790
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization SV 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization HU 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x86 Additional Runtime - 11.0.61030 11.0.61030
eID Middleware 2.0.9
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable 8.0.61001
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization KO 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x86 Additional Runtime - 14.0.24215 14.0.24215
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization NO 2017.0424.2119.36535
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148 9.0.30729.4148
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 ENU 3.5.8080.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 x64 Minimum Runtime - 14.10.25017 14.10.25017
SSDlife Pro 2.5.82
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 x64 ENU 3.5.8080.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 x86 Minimum Runtime - 11.0.61030 11.0.61030
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization DA 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization NL 2017.0424.2119.36535
Intel(R) Management Engine Components 1.0.0.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 x64 Additional Runtime - 14.10.25017 14.10.25017
Intel(R) Wireless Manageability Driver 1.0.0.0
Update for Windows 10 for x64-based Systems (KB4023057) 2.52.0.0
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization PL 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization IT 2017.0424.2119.36535
Catalyst Control Center Next Localization EL 2017.0424.2119.36535
Intel(R) Management Engine Components 1.0.0.0

 

[rgd1101]

You installed all those?
do you have a ssd?

 

[Dreamscape7]

You installed all those?
do you have a ssd?

Yes and yes.


I guess some apps were installed via updates, like the catalyst driver localisations, without my awareness. And now I see the many x64 and x86 versions of the same programme, I dunno if that is normal.

But do you have suspicions about the SSD? My suspicions are with the Windows update cycle, given how the sequence of problem is recurring, and how it starts with the fingerprint reader not working. It's the most mysterious system I ever had.

 

[rgd1101]

size of the ssd? how much free space left on the ssd?

 

[Dreamscape7]

size of the ssd? how much free space left on the ssd?

Currently 9.19 GB free out of 256 GB SSD, but I think the problems started earlier on with a bit more free space.

Do you think this relates to virtual memory page size?

 

[USAFRet]

9GB free is way too little free space on a 256GB SSD.
You really need to stay under 200GB actual consumed space for that size drive.
SSD's can slow down with too little free space.

That, combined with only 8GB system RAM...your pagefile is probably in use a lot.

Free up a bunch of space on that SSD and see what happens.

 

[Dreamscape7]

9GB free is way too little free space on a 256GB SSD.
You really need to stay under 200GB actual consumed space for that size drive.
SSD's can slow down with too little free space.

That, combined with only 8GB system RAM...your pagefile is probably in use a lot.

Free up a bunch of space on that SSD and see what happens.

Hi,

I freed up 43 GB of space but this had no effect on long boot times.

Do you have other ideas how to go about this?

 

[Gfost73]

maybe look at what programs are starting when windows boots and disable ones you do not need.