I'm sure I'm not the only one that has a computer with the slows…but
Did a fresh install of Windows 10 on a
- Dell Precision M6800 (1 TB SSD + 1 TB HD; 24 GB RAM; i7 with (x4) Cores)
- Used Windows Recovery
- Keep nothing (wiped out all files on 1 TB SSD)
File Explorer, Browser are super slow
- 14 sec from clicking on the folder icon on the Taskbar to displaying the window with the File Explorer
- No software installed other than O/S
Updated all drivers from Dell
- First updated drivers per Dell advise (via website)
- Next updated all drivers per Dell Command Update that indicates update all for a fresh install
- Removed external monitor (in case it was a graphics card issue)
- Dell automated tests indicate no H/W failures
Checked Task Manager for processes:
- nothing that I understood as noteworthy
- no processes consuming massive memory of CPU
Checked Resource Monitor
- CPU is < 15% utilization
- Memory is < 20% utilized
- No significant network traffic
Performed a Clean Boot
Ubuntu 20 LTS works well
Began to use the Windows Startup Settings:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17076/windows-8-startup-settings-safe-mode
- Low-Resolution video: Did not help, File Explorer still takes 14 sec from click-to-window. Does that mean the graphics card / driver is not the problem?
- Safe Mode: Works pretty good in this mode. Didn't do thorough testing, but the File manager comes up pretty quickly.
- Safe Mode with Networking: Works the same as Safe Mode above.
Nothing I'm doing is indicating the root cause. There is no change in behavior regardless of what I've tried.
- How can a computer be slow if the CPU, memory, network bandwidth, and disk access are not near their maximum?
- What good is a process monitor like Task Manager or Resource Manager if they are not an indication of the usability of the O/S?
- What are other tools that can diagnose this problem?
Best Answer
Let's find the problem using Task Manager.
Go into task manager and check disk usage, something might be using your SSD or HDD, like a windows update that checks your windows installation and figures out what it needs to download later.
This disk usage statistic is written in MB/s and it may be hidden so you need to enable the "Disk" column in the "Process" tab in Task Manager.
To reveal the "Disk" column, within the "Process" tab, right click any top column heading like "CPU" or "Memory" and a context menu will pop up showing more data columns. Click "Disk" to reveal disk usage.