Fixing High CPU Usage of IAStorDataSvc in Windows 10
Are you facing the frustrating issue of IAStorDataSvc hogging up your computer’s CPU? I’ve been there, and I know how annoying it can be. But fear not, I’m here to help you fix it!
Firstly, let’s understand what IAStorDataSvc is. It stands for Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology, and it’s a service that helps manage your computer’s storage devices. While it plays an essential role, sometimes it can go a little overboard and start consuming too much CPU power, causing your system to slow down.
So, how do we tackle this problem? Don’t worry, I’ve got a couple of solutions up my sleeve that should help you out.
Method 1: Update IAStorDataSvc
The first step is to ensure that your IAStorDataSvc is up to date. Head over to the Intel website and search for the latest version of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver. Download and install it on your computer. This should address any bugs or issues that were causing the high CPU usage.
Method 2: Disable IAStorDataSvc
If updating the driver doesn’t solve the problem, we can try disabling IAStorDataSvc temporarily to see if it fixes the CPU usage. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter. This will open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and find “IAStorDataSvc” in the list of services.
4. Right-click on it and select “Properties.”
5. In the Properties window, change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.” Click OK to save the changes.
6. Restart your computer and check if the high CPU usage issue is resolved.
Method 3: Use an Alternative Storage Driver
If the problem persists even after updating and disabling IAStorDataSvc, you can try using an alternative storage driver instead. You can find various third-party drivers available online. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with your system and install it following the provided instructions. This might help alleviate the CPU usage caused by IAStorDataSvc.
Don’t let IAStorDataSvc hog your precious CPU power any longer. Give these methods a try, and hopefully, you’ll be able to resolve the issue and get your computer running smoothly again.
Remember, if you’re unsure about any of these steps, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional or reach out to the support team for further assistance. Good luck!
When Windows 10 was first released, it came with an early version of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver. It was known to use a lot of the CPU, sometimes up to 30-40%. You can stop the process in Task Manager but it starts again when you restart your computer. Here’s how to fix IAStorDataSvc using too much CPU in Windows 10.
I’ve already covered this in ‘How To Stop Iastordatasvc Causing High CPU Usage In Windows 10’. That article is for people who upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7. Now, a year later, I still get calls from users who have the same problem.
The advice in that article still applies, but there are a few more things to be aware of. This article will cover all of them.
IAStorDataSvc using too much CPU in Windows 10
The Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver isn’t necessary on a Windows computer at all. You can safely remove it if you want. The driver manages the cache for your hard drive, similar to the Windows cache. It learns which apps you use the most and stores the main files in a cache on your SSD (if you have one). Then, it tells Windows to fetch those files instead of the ones on your HDD for faster access. If you use RAID, the driver helps manage striped data.
The Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver can be useful, but it basically duplicates some Windows functions. It may speed up Windows boot time, but only by a few seconds if you have Windows set up correctly.
The first solution to IAStorDataSvc using too much CPU in Windows 10 is to remove the driver completely.
Remove the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
If you want to remove the driver completely, you can safely do so. You might experience a slight delay in boot time, but it’s a small trade-off for a stable system.
- Type ‘control’ into the Search Windows/Cortana box and select Control Panel.
- Select Uninstall a program.
- Select the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver from the list and select Uninstall.
- Let the uninstaller finish and then restart your computer.
You might not notice any change in boot time, but what you will notice is that your CPU activity is lower. Windows does a good job of caching to memory, so if you have enough RAM, you shouldn’t experience any performance issues by not using the Intel driver.
Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
If you don’t want to remove the driver, try updating it instead.
- Go to Intel’s website and download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver.
- Use the installer and follow the instructions.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Newer drivers don’t have the high CPU usage problem that earlier versions had, so you shouldn’t see the issue anymore.
Use a newer Windows 10 ISO
Some of the cases I’ve seen where CPU usage was high were because the user installed Windows 10 from an ISO they downloaded when the OS was first released. That’s not the most efficient way to do it.
Windows 10 has been updated a lot since the initial release. If you use an older ISO, Windows will have to download all the updates, including the Creators update, and install them. It’s much faster to have a relatively up-to-date version of the Windows 10 ISO, especially when a major update comes out.
- Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows media creation tool.
- Create USB media. You can choose DVD if you prefer, but the Windows file is now too big for a single-layer DVD. You’ll need a dual-layer DVD and a writer that supports it.
- Install Windows 10 using this new media.
Before, you could create DVD media that contained everything needed to install Windows 10. But after the Creators update, the file size exceeded the capacity of a standard DVD. If you have a dual-layer DVD and a compatible writer, that’s great. If not, buying a 16GB USB drive is cheaper and easier to use.
The Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver tries hard to be useful on a computer, but unless you use RAID, you don’t really need it. If you want to keep it, you can, but if it starts causing high CPU usage like I mentioned above, now you know what to do.
Do you know any other ways to fix IAStorDataSvc using too much CPU in Windows 10? Share them with us in the comments below!