diff --git a/Core/Config.cpp b/Core/Config.cpp
index bdbb8406c7e0..73e529f59a57 100644
--- a/Core/Config.cpp
+++ b/Core/Config.cpp
@@ -494,7 +494,6 @@ static bool DefaultSasThread() {
 static ConfigSetting cpuSettings[] = {
 	ReportedConfigSetting("CPUCore", &g_Config.iCpuCore, &DefaultCpuCore, true, true),
 	ReportedConfigSetting("SeparateSASThread", &g_Config.bSeparateSASThread, &DefaultSasThread, true, true),
-	ReportedConfigSetting("SeparateIOThread", &g_Config.bSeparateIOThread, true, true, true),
 	ReportedConfigSetting("IOTimingMethod", &g_Config.iIOTimingMethod, IOTIMING_FAST, true, true),
 	ConfigSetting("FastMemoryAccess", &g_Config.bFastMemory, true, true, true),
 	ReportedConfigSetting("FuncReplacements", &g_Config.bFuncReplacements, true, true, true),
diff --git a/Core/Config.h b/Core/Config.h
index f0b743510a4f..0c589234171a 100644
--- a/Core/Config.h
+++ b/Core/Config.h
@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ struct Config {
 	uint32_t uJitDisableFlags;
 
 	bool bSeparateSASThread;
-	bool bSeparateIOThread;
 	int iIOTimingMethod;
 	int iLockedCPUSpeed;
 	bool bAutoSaveSymbolMap;
diff --git a/Core/HLE/sceIo.cpp b/Core/HLE/sceIo.cpp
index db942a52a80c..5550411fcfe8 100644
--- a/Core/HLE/sceIo.cpp
+++ b/Core/HLE/sceIo.cpp
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static MemStickFatState lastMemStickFatState;
 
 static AsyncIOManager ioManager;
 static bool ioManagerThreadEnabled = false;
-static std::thread *ioManagerThread;
+static std::thread ioManagerThread;
 
 // TODO: Is it better to just put all on the thread?
 // Let's try. (was 256)
@@ -649,12 +649,10 @@ void __IoInit() {
 
 	memset(fds, 0, sizeof(fds));
 
-	ioManagerThreadEnabled = g_Config.bSeparateIOThread;
+	ioManagerThreadEnabled = true;
 	ioManager.SetThreadEnabled(ioManagerThreadEnabled);
-	if (ioManagerThreadEnabled) {
-		Core_ListenLifecycle(&__IoWakeManager);
-		ioManagerThread = new std::thread(&__IoManagerThread);
-	}
+	Core_ListenLifecycle(&__IoWakeManager);
+	ioManagerThread = std::thread(&__IoManagerThread);
 
 	__KernelRegisterWaitTypeFuncs(WAITTYPE_ASYNCIO, __IoAsyncBeginCallback, __IoAsyncEndCallback);
 
@@ -730,12 +728,8 @@ void __IoShutdown() {
 	ioManagerThreadEnabled = false;
 	ioManager.SyncThread();
 	ioManager.FinishEventLoop();
-	if (ioManagerThread != nullptr) {
-		ioManagerThread->join();
-		delete ioManagerThread;
-		ioManagerThread = nullptr;
-		ioManager.Shutdown();
-	}
+	ioManagerThread.join();
+	ioManager.Shutdown();
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < PSP_COUNT_FDS; ++i) {
 		asyncParams[i].op = IoAsyncOp::NONE;
diff --git a/UI/GameSettingsScreen.cpp b/UI/GameSettingsScreen.cpp
index 414e07867a20..d7dd15def3eb 100644
--- a/UI/GameSettingsScreen.cpp
+++ b/UI/GameSettingsScreen.cpp
@@ -689,10 +689,8 @@ void GameSettingsScreen::CreateViews() {
 
 	systemSettings->Add(new CheckBox(&g_Config.bFastMemory, sy->T("Fast Memory", "Fast Memory (Unstable)")))->OnClick.Handle(this, &GameSettingsScreen::OnJitAffectingSetting);
 
-	systemSettings->Add(new CheckBox(&g_Config.bSeparateIOThread, sy->T("I/O on thread (experimental)")))->SetEnabled(!PSP_IsInited());
 	static const char *ioTimingMethods[] = { "Fast (lag on slow storage)", "Host (bugs, less lag)", "Simulate UMD delays" };
 	View *ioTimingMethod = systemSettings->Add(new PopupMultiChoice(&g_Config.iIOTimingMethod, sy->T("IO timing method"), ioTimingMethods, 0, ARRAY_SIZE(ioTimingMethods), sy->GetName(), screenManager()));
-	ioTimingMethod->SetEnabledPtr(&g_Config.bSeparateIOThread);
 	systemSettings->Add(new CheckBox(&g_Config.bForceLagSync, sy->T("Force real clock sync (slower, less lag)")));
 	PopupSliderChoice *lockedMhz = systemSettings->Add(new PopupSliderChoice(&g_Config.iLockedCPUSpeed, 0, 1000, sy->T("Change CPU Clock", "Change CPU Clock (unstable)"), screenManager(), sy->T("MHz, 0:default")));
 	lockedMhz->SetZeroLabel(sy->T("Auto"));