gswitz
I've certainly tried.

I've disabled Windows update service.

Like I said, it stays green in latency Mon for days, literally. But it cannot be trusted.

I want to add that I'd still use the laptop but I would boot it and let it run an hour before going out with it.

I have it with me here at the in-laws and I'm using it to mix and practice.

When there is no pressure it always performs.

Because I would never use a recording laptop except to occasionally make mobile field recordings, I presume that a new laptop would be just as unreliable if not more than my current one.

 
Sounds like there is a scheduled task trying to run. Either a disk maintenance or perhaps a virus/security scan. If this is the case you should be able to go into the windows services management and disable the "task Scheduler" then stop the service.
 
Just remember to turn it back on when you are done so the missed tasks can be ran later.
 
Edit: I just tried this myself and the task scheduler service does not allow its startup type to be changed. This might be accomplished with a registry change. I will look into it.
 
 
Edit2: Ok, using the registry can indeed disable the Scheduler service. It requires a reboot after the change because the service can't be stopped manually. I tested this on my laptop and it does boot and things seem ok.
 
You have to go through the registry to change that startup type back to automatic and reboot again to put things back to normal.
 
While it does work I don't like that I have to reboot because I do not have control over the service to manually start or stop it. I'm sure this limitation is by design and for security reasons.
 
I think the best approach for your laptop would be to turn it on, login and let it sit idol for an hour or two before you leave to do a mobile recording. This should allow the scheduled tasks to get caught up since you leave the laptop off most of the time.

I have had bitter-sweet experiences with Windows 10. I upgraded my laptop from Windows 7 to 10 and it was smooth sailing all the way. Works great and aside from a few minor niggles that I'm getting used to it's been a joy to use. Ironically I use a Roland Tricapture as my interface on the laptop with no problems to speak of.
 
I say ironically because it's Roland drivers (or lack of) that made the same upgrade on my Studio rig a complete nightmare to the point where I've now rolled back to Windows 7.
 
My Roland Sonic Cell which I use as my Windows interface and is essential for some of the video work that I do just refuses to work. I've read of and tried some of the suggested tricks and workrounds to get it working with Windows 10 but they just are't working for me. In the end I just decided that the hassle and headache of trying to get a new OS to work as well as my old OS does, wasn't worth it and rolled back.
 
That's where I'll stay on that setup until Roland get the drivers sorted, if ever.

Other than disabling the NIC (going off line) I don't anything else and have had NO interference with Sonar either recording or mixing.  I even did a recording and forgot to disable the NIC and it all went well.   When I was on Win 7 and Win 8.1 I did the same thing, disabled the NIC when using Sonar.

Tom Riggs,
 
Thanks so much for being so thoughtful and trying to find a solution for me.
 
I used this same laptop on Windows Vista, 7 and 8 and now 10.
 
I do not have virus scanner installed except for Windows Defender and that is disabled.
 
I periodically plug it into the network and allow it to pick up updates for Sonar and TH3 and other software. Mostly, I copy the installers from my desktop where I've already downloaded them just to save time, but sometimes I download again just because it's easier.
 
I'll open and poke around in the Task Scheduler.
 
I agree that opening it up and leaving it running for a while is probably the answer. It still leaves me nervous for gigs where I REALLY want it to work. I suppose after a few more Win 10 successes my confidence will grow.
 
Wouldn't it be cool if Sonar could tell Windows not to consider the computer idle? or if there was a 'I'm making an audio recording, now is NOT the time!' setting?
 
Without that, it's always going to be good luck when you capture a great recording with Windows. IMHO.
 
It's one of the things that makes me fondly remember the days of using my Tascam 2488. No Windows. It always worked.
 
I find it sad that 10 years into making recordings using Windows I'm still not as stable as I feel it should be.
 
It makes me think that Sonar is really studio only where it's ok if your computer messes up. You can just do it again. Sonar/Windows is just not rock solid for doing mobile stuff where you get 1 shot and 1 shot only to capture it. And this makes me sad. I have a huge financial investment in Sonar. I've spent years becoming really good at using it. I'm a C# programmer by day, so I believe I have above average computer skills to start with.
 
And I want everyone to know that I say this sadly and reluctantly. I love Sonar and want very much to have it work all the time for me.
 
 

Anderton

John
I have been saying that for some time now. No one listens. 

Well, I did! I just think that after all those years of wiping hard drives, losing a couple days re-installing and re-authorizing everything, swearing, and prayer, people find it hard to believe that Microsoft got it really right this time. It all seems too good to be true. I was skeptical that the mobile team could pull of what was needed for a desktop system, but they clearly had a better handle on integrating the two than the desktop team that did [shudder] Windows 8.
 
Compare Windows 10 upgrade experiences to El Capitan, which many people are still urging me to avoid for my PowerBook...although others say it's pretty much okay now. I think I'll wait another month 

 That may happen with W10 eventually since it will be a continual upgrade and no service packs.  Usually the warnings of "don't upgrade to the latest build" comes after the fact.
  Some things are broken in W10 as far as file sharing.
  At least legacy devices will work.
 
 I'm not sold on it yet. 

In Windows 10 there is the "Quite Time". This is when you do not want anything interfering with your work. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/set-quiet-hours-in-windows-10
 
In my experience because I have my system audio on the built sound chip and not using my studio audio for general sound I don't recall ever having a problem with Windows intruding.  
 
I have Windows 10 on all three of my computers.  I do wish MS would reconsider their policy for using automatic updates as the only way of updating. I have always updated and I have always done so at my convenience not MS's.

John
In Windows 10 there is the "Quite Time". This is when you do not want anything interfering with your work. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/set-quiet-hours-in-windows-10
 
In my experience because I have my system audio on the built sound chip and not using my studio audio for general sound I don't recall ever having a problem with Windows intruding.  
 
I have Windows 10 on all three of my computers.  I do wish MS would reconsider their policy for using automatic updates as the only way of updating. I have always updated and I have always done so at my convenience not MS's.

 Is this different with W10 versions. I have W10 Pro and there is defer updates. I would assume you also keep system restore running is case something messes up.

kitekrazy1

John
In Windows 10 there is the "Quite Time". This is when you do not want anything interfering with your work. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/set-quiet-hours-in-windows-10
 
In my experience because I have my system audio on the built sound chip and not using my studio audio for general sound I don't recall ever having a problem with Windows intruding.  
 
I have Windows 10 on all three of my computers.  I do wish MS would reconsider their policy for using automatic updates as the only way of updating. I have always updated and I have always done so at my convenience not MS's.

 Is this different with W10 versions. I have W10 Pro and there is defer updates. I would assume you also keep system restore running is case something messes up.

Defer updates to my understanding is some control over when Windows updates itself. It wont stop updating. The quite hours are times where nothing is supposed happen. This includes notifications and such.
 
I think but an not sure the presentation mode is now quite hours. I could be wrong. I can see how useful presentation mode is to some.   

I know for many this will sound a little kindergartenish but I recommend doing it anyway. There is a get started app that will show what is new and how things are different in Windows 10.  Its something many may not want to do because they have been working with OS's for years. Still I am still learning things about Windows 10 and most of it has been rewarding. I have found ways of using touch I did not know about before and not on the touch screen. On a precision touch pad there are gestures that do things as a mouse would.  The need for buttons has gone away. 
 
Using this app to get around Win 10 can be very useful. I also think MS did a good job in providing it. 

My experience with updating to W10 from W7 was pretty problematic in terms of Sonar, but I have a feeling there was something going on in my machine rather than with W10 and Sonar.  I plan to buy a new computer in a few months with W10 installed and expect a happy experience.