A woman bought me two laptops to check over for her. Both HP. Both had Windows 10 but not compatible with Windows 11. Otherwise they where both in pretty good shape. One problem on one computer, I noticed was a constantly high CPU and DISK usage even when nothing was open in the background.
Some of the standard responses you get when searching for solutions to these problems include:
Closing background apps and programs.
Update Drivers.
Update Windows.
Update everything that can be updated.
Change your power plan and/or Restore default settings.
Malware/Virus scans.
Use SFC and/or DISM: http://hitanykey.x10host.com/feb.13.2022.html
Some gluttons for punishment online suggested reinstalling Windows. Well call that Plan Z.
To change or reset the defaults to your power plan do this:
Type in power in your search bar. Click on Power & sleep. Then in the top right-hand corner click on Additional power settings. On the power plan you are currently using click on Change plan settings.
On the next screen you should see the option to Restore default settings for this plan. Click on Yes to confirm.
Tried these and then some, heres the one that worked, and it does involve the Power options.
Open PowerShell as an administrator. In Search type powershell and then click on Run as administrator. Then type in the following and press enter Or you can copy and paste from here.
PowerCfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR IDLEDISABLE 000
Then the next command:
PowerCfg /SETACTIVE SCHEME_CURRENT
This is what worked in my case. The effect was almost immediate. I restarted the system just to be sure and its still holding.