[SOLVED] Terrible HDD Performance on Windows 10

[Alone_Boy_]

Hi folks. I'm having terrible SATA HDD performance issues on Windows 10. I was using Windows 7 Pro and about 2 months ago I've made a clean install of Windows 10 Home. I had no such issues under Win7. Here's my problems:

• I'm experiencing stutters on games installed on HDD's. Even on older games. My main drive is SSD and my OS installed there. I'm using my HDD's as storage. (I've no issues on SSD by the way.)
• File transfer speeds are inconsistent on HDD's. Transfer speed hitting top and bottom.
• Exe file icons are taking too long to load and OS doesn't cache them. Everytime I restart my computer and open folder that app exe's exists, it reloads icons.
• I've updated all of my drivers via Driver Booster, updated Win 10 to lastest, defragmanted HDD's and still nothings chanced.
• Strange thing is I was upgraded to Win7 to 10 about 2 years ago and similar issues occured. Than I've switched back to Win 7. Now I've made a clean install and still nothings changed. Like I've said, I've no such issues under Win 7.

Here's my system specs:

Gigabyte AB350 Gaming AM4
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
GSkill 8x2 16 GB 2400 MHz
Gigabyte Aorus Geforce GTX 1080 8 GB
Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB SSD
Western Digital WDC WD5002AALX-00J37A0 500 GB SATA HDD
Seagate ST3320613AS 320 GB SATA HDD
OCZ ZT 650W 80+ PSU
Windows 10 Home 1909.

 

[Ralston18]

Take a look at system performance by using Task Manager and Resource Monitor to determine what is using/accessing any of the 3 installed drives at any given time.

Could be some AV scans going on, a backup, or an update of some sort taking place. Or trying to do so.

Just use only one (Task Manager or Resource Monitor) at a time. Not both tools together.

The other thing to do is reinstall the device drivers manually and not use a third party tool to do so. Go directly to the respective device manufacturer to download, reinstall, and reconfigure the drivers.

Look in Window's Update History for failed updates. It may be that the computer is trying to download and install upgrades.

What PSU is installed: make, model, wattage, age, condition?

 

[Alone_Boy_]

My PSU is OCZ ZT 650 W 80+ Bronze. 5 years old. I don't think it's PSU related since I didn't have these kind of issues under Win 7.

 

[Alone_Boy_]

I've used resource monitor. When I opened up that folder, exe icons slowly loads and MsMpEng.exe's disk usage goes up about %50-%60 . I've googled it and find out it was windows defender. It seems windows defender oftenly scans my HDDs whenever I use them and causes slowdowns and lags. I've tried to disable it, even from group policy, but no luck. What should I do now?

 

[wpgwpg]

If you install a 3rd party antivirus program, that will disable Defender. I take it you have Windows and any often used files on the SSD, right?

 

[Alone_Boy_]

OK. I find the issue. Yes it's Windows Defender. It's real time protection algorithm causes slow hdd performance and lagging. Everytime you copy/paste files it scans them in realtime, everytime you open a folder it scans files and causes folder to load very slowly, everytime you run a game it scans the game even when game loads textures ,and this causes serious lag and heavy stutter in gameplay.

So I've excluded all of my drives from real time protection and problem gone. It may cause risks but given this situation, I don't care. I've never used any antivirus software before and never had any problems. ( a tip: don't enter illegal bet and porn sites. 😉 )

Shame on Microsoft for their stupid real time protection algorithm. This problem exists since the release of Win 10 and they didn't fix it. People are right to not upgrading from Win 7 to Win 10.

Anyway, thanks for the replies. They've given me to get a hint at the problem. Have a nice and unbuggy day.

 

[Ralston18]

Very good but do keep an eye on that PSU.

Consider doing some early research and planning for a replacement.

Do not buy cheap.

 

[drivinfast247]

OK. I find the issue. Yes it's Windows Defender. It's real time protection algorithm causes slow hdd performance and lagging. Everytime you copy/paste files it scans them in realtime, everytime you open a folder it scans files and causes folder to load very slowly, everytime you run a game it scans the game even when game loads textures ,and this causes serious lag and heavy stutter in gameplay.

So I've excluded all of my drives from real time protection and problem gone. It may cause risks but given this situation, I don't care. I've never used any antivirus software before and never had any problems. ( a tip: don't enter illegal bet and porn sites. 😉 )

Shame on Microsoft for their stupid real time protection algorithm. This problem exists since the release of Win 10 and they didn't fix it. People are right to not upgrading from Win 7 to Win 10.

Anyway, thanks for the replies. They've given me to get a hint at the problem. Have a nice and unbuggy day.

Funny, I don't experience any of that. Hmmmmm...oh well.

 

[Alone_Boy_]

Very good but do keep an eye on that PSU.

Consider doing some early research and planning for a replacement.

Do not buy cheap.

Why? Is it too old or a bad model? If it is which model would you suggest? I would want a price/performance product and 650W PSU should be enough for my system, right?

 

[Ralston18]

PSU's are critical to system performance and any developing faults and failures can lead to any number of problems.

650 W would seem to be enough but component demands may push the PSU into some threshold values that the PSU cannot fully keep up with.

PSU's for Gaming - start with the following link:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html

You can easily find similar PSU product reviews. Limit the search time to the last year or so.