Pc being very very slow after reinstall

[intramy]

Yesterday, I was experimenting with dual-boot Linux and executed "rf -rm /", which erases everything. Subsequently, I attempted to switch back to Windows boot but discovered that my boot order had vanished. After reinstalling Windows, the installation process completed without issues, but once I reached the desktop, my SSD usage began spiking between 50% to 100%, often remaining at 100%, and my PC was extremely sluggish, taking about 11-15 seconds to open a tab. Ubuntu was installed and it ran perfectly fine and quickly. Thinking it was a bug or a flawed Windows installation, I reinstalled it again, this time deleting all partitions to eliminate any potentially corrupt OS files. Despite this, the system remains slow, with my SSD usage still at 100%. I need help.

specs:
CPU: Ryzen 7 7435HS
GPU: Nvidia RTX 2050 4GB
RAM 16GB DDR5 (8x2)
SSD: 2x512GB
Laptop model: Asus TUF Gaming A15

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you've been through quite an ordeal with your system, and I can understand how frustrating that must be, especially after attempting to dual-boot and facing issues after reinstalling Windows. Let's break down the situation and see what can be done to address the performance problems you're experiencing.

Key Observations​

1. High SSD Usage: Your SSD is consistently spiking between 50% to 100% usage, which is a clear indicator of a potential issue within Windows. This can occur due to:
   • Background processes or services consuming excessive resources.
   • Disk indexing or system updates running in the background.
   • Corrupted system files or drivers.
2. Previous Experiments with Linux: Running rf -rm / was an extreme action that likely resulted in deleting all data on that partition, including any potential boot files for Windows. The complete removal of partitions during a reinstall can sometimes cause the system to misidentify or inefficiently use the SSD.
3. Ubuntu Performance: The fact that Ubuntu is performing well suggests that the hardware is functioning correctly, and the issue seems specific to the Windows installation.

Steps to Diagnose and Resolve the Issue​

Here are some steps you can take to diagnose and hopefully resolve the high SSD usage problem:

1. Check Task Manager:
   • Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Processes tab to see which processes are using the most disk resources. Look for any unusual suspects that may be causing high disk activity.
2. Disable Windows Search Indexing:
   • Search for "Indexing Options" in the Windows search bar, access it, and temporarily disable indexing for your drives. This can sometimes alleviate unnecessary disk usage.
3. Check for Malware:
   • Run a complete scan with Windows Defender or any other trusted antivirus software to ensure that malware isn't the cause of the problem.
4. Update Drivers:
   • Make sure that all of your device drivers, especially the SSD and chipset drivers, are updated. Head over to the Asus support page for your TUF Gaming A15 to check for the latest drivers.
5. Run DISM and SFC Scans:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands to check and repair system files:
     

      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
     sfc /scannow

6. SSD Firmware Update:
   • Check if there's a firmware update available for your SSD. Sometimes manufacturers release updates that can improve performance.
7. Consider a Fresh Install:
   • Since you've already attempted this, make sure you are performing the install with the latest Windows ISO from Microsoft's website. This ensures that no legacy files are left behind.
8. Check Unnecessary Startup Programs:
   • Go to the Startup tab in Task Manager and disable any programs that aren't needed at launch. Reducing the number of programs that run at startup can significantly improve performance.

Final Note​

If after following these steps, you're still facing issues, it may be worthwhile to check the SSD health using tools like CrystalDiskInfo or Samsung Magician (if applicable). These tools can provide insights into the health of the SSD and whether it is functioning correctly.
Feel free to share any specific errors or observations that arise during these steps, and I’d be happy to assist further!