The Task Manager can also show you the apps and processes driving up your disk usage. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Right-click the Start<\/em> button or press the
Windows + X<\/code> shortcut.<\/li>\n- Select Task Manager<\/em> in the Power User<\/em> menu.<\/li>\n
- After the Task Manager<\/em> appears, check under the Disk<\/em> column to see which app or process is contributing to the 100% disk usage problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In most cases, it will be one system process or the other. However, Task Manager may be unable to offer you the real culprit. We\u2019ll show you different troubleshooting steps that will teach you how to fix 100% disk usage on your PC.<\/p>\n
How to Fix 100% Disk Usage on Your Computer<\/h2>\n
Fix 1: Update Windows<\/h3>\n
Using an older version of Windows may be the real reason your hard disk usage keeps spiking. Microsoft releases updates to fix bugs of this kind and improve how your computer works.<\/p>\n
Running Windows Update is easy. Type
update<\/code> in the Start<\/em> menu and click Check for updates<\/em>.<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Windows]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nAllow the Windows Update client to download and install all the available updates.<\/p>\n
Restart your computer when the client requests a reboot to complete the installation.<\/p>\n
After Windows reboots, check if the \u201c System high disk usage \u201d issue persists.<\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udccc Also read: <\/strong>Ultimate Guide: How to Manually Check and Install Windows Updates<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 2: Maintain your PC to avoid high disk usage<\/h3>\n
You can take proactive measures to reduce or even eliminate the chances of experiencing a high disk usage problem.\u00a0 The first step is making sure Windows is always up to date.<\/p>\n
The next step involves ridding your computer of junk, duplicate, and corrupted files; broken and leftover registry entries from uninstalled applications; unneeded applications; and unhelpful browser add-ons and plugins.<\/p>\n
These steps may seem like a lot of work, but it will be easy and effective when you use Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The program is designed to keep computers in tip-top shape to ensure users do not experience problems like 100% disk usage.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a complete PC maintainer packed with many basic features and advanced tools to improve performance, enhance security, and ensure computer longevity.<\/p>\n
Upon downloading and installing Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a>, you\u2019ll see your Dashboard in its basic view, which includes a button to perform a full system scan, showing everything the scan will achieve.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Optimize]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nWhen you switch on the Advanced Mode, you\u2019ll unlock advanced tune-up and cleanup functionalities and have access to more than 20 tools that can help you keep you hard disk healthy and maintain other PC areas.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Auslogics]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nTo prevent the 100% disk usage problem, we recommend that you use the following:<\/p>\n
The Optimize Tab<\/strong>:<\/strong> Turn on features, such as Disk Priority Manager and Processor Optimizer to regulate and optimize how apps and files use system resources, including your Disk and CPU.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Auslogics]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nSystem and Disk Tools<\/b>:<\/strong> Go to the All Tools tab to use tools that will help you remove unwanted files, fix disk errors, and defragment your hard disk to improve PC health.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Auslogics]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nAutomatic Maintenance<\/b>:<\/strong> You can configure the tool to run any cleanup process on a strict schedule. Go to File and select Autmoatic Maintenance.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Auslogics]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nChoose the scans and maintenance tasks you want to run under Scheduler, then select how often you want them to run.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Auslogics]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
\n\ud83d\udccc Also read: <\/strong>Speed Up Slow Computer as a Pro \u2013 Introducing Auslogics BoostSpeed 13<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 3: Check your PC for malware infection<\/h3>\n
If your drive is constantly working at or near 100% for no apparent reason, this might mean your computer is malware-infected<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Some malicious applications, such as spyware, adware, and even mining software, may have made their way to your computer. They usually work in the background and use up your system resources.<\/p>\n
You can run a full scan using your antivirus program to get rid of the problem.<\/p>\n
The Microsoft default security solution Windows Defender will scan your system for malware issues and do its best to make them cut and run:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to the System Tray<\/em> (where your time and date are displayed) and click the upward-facing arrow.<\/li>\n
- Select the blue or white shield.<\/li>\n
- Click Virus & Threat Protection<\/em> when the Windows Security<\/em> app opens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Select Scan Options<\/em> under Current Threats<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Select]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Select Full Scan<\/em> and click Scan Now<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Select]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Note that the scan may take longer than one hour as it goes through personal and system files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Using Your Main Antivirus<\/b>If you have a trustworthy antivirus program installed, let it do its job. You can use its Full Scan option to try and root out deep-lying malware applications that may have evaded detection for so long.<\/p>\n
You should also update your anti-virus program<\/a> since updated malware definitions are released regularly to detect newly introduced malicious applications.<\/p>\n
Using A Special Anti-Malware Tool<\/b>Your main antivirus is not omnipotent. You should back it up by any means whatsoever to protect your computer from irreversible damage. Consider using a special anti-malware tool to trace and remove the issues your main security solution may miss.<\/p>\n
For instance, Auslogics Anti-Malware<\/a> is ready to help you. The tool does not interfere with Windows Security or your third-party antivirus program. It provides an extra layer of security to catch malicious software that may escape your main antivirus.<\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udccc Also read: <\/strong>How to Remove Virus and Other Malware from Windows<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 4: Disable Your Main Antivirus Program Temporarily<\/h3>\n
Your main antivirus might be responsible for consuming 100% disk resources on your computer. Therefore, try disabling it temporarily to determine whether it is to blame for your drive going to full capacity.<\/p>\n
You needn\u2019t worry about your safety: Windows Security can guard your system while your main antivirus is not at work.<\/p>\n
If your computer\u2019s disk usage returns to normal when your main security solution is off, you should report this issue to your vendor.<\/p>\n
Turn Off Windows Security<\/strong><\/p>\n
Windows Security<\/a>, your native OS anti-virus, may also be why you see your disk running at 100 % from time to time, especially when it starts performing impromptu malware checks.<\/p>\n
It might also collide with your main antivirus program to cause the problem.<\/p>\n
If you suspect such a conflict, try disabling Windows Security. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to the System Tray<\/em> (where your time and date are displayed) and click the upward-facing arrow.<\/li>\n
- Select the blue or white shield.<\/li>\n
- Click Virus & Threat Protection<\/em> when the Windows Security<\/em> app opens.<\/li>\n
- Go to Virus & Threat Protection Settings<\/em> and click Manage Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Virus]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Turn off Real-Time Protection<\/em> and Automatic Sample Submission<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Turn]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nFix 5: Disable Windows Search Indexer<\/h3>\n
Windows Search Indexer<\/a> might cause the frustrating 100% disk usage problem. Its job is to analyze every content on your hard drive and compile them to a single location so that you can see search results quickly when you search for files, applications, commands, or processes.<\/p>\n
Although this feature helps you find your files quickly, you can limit how it works by excluding specific folders from indexing.<\/p>\n
Follow these steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the Start menu<\/em> and type
indexing<\/code>.<\/li>\n- Click Indexing Options<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- After the Indexing Options<\/em> dialog opens, select Modify<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"After]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- You can now change the locations that Windows Search<\/em> can index.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"You]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nYou can also disable Windows Search to stop indexing and check if that will resolve the problem. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the Windows Start<\/em> menu and type
CMD<\/code>.<\/li>\n- Click Run as Administrator<\/em> under Command Prompt<\/em> and click Yes<\/em> in the UAC prompt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- After the Command Prompt<\/em> opens, type the following and tap the
Enter<\/code> keyboard button:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nnet.exe stop \u201cWindows search\u201d <\/code><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Command]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nCan you observe a reduction in disk usage now?<\/p>\n
If not, Windows Search cannot be blamed for the 100 % disk usage scenario.<\/p>\n
In this case, feel free to enable Windows Search:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to Command Prompt<\/em> again -> Type
net.exe start \u201cWindows search\u201d<\/code> and hit theEnter<\/code> key<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, if your disk works properly after you turn off Windows Search, consider permanently turning off the Windows Search feature.<\/p>\n
Fix 6: Clear temporary files<\/h3>\n
Third-party applications and system programs on Windows regularly create temporary files to help speed up various processes. For example, web browsers create cache files to load websites faster.<\/p>\n
These temp files accumulate over time and become problematic, often causing the 100% disk usage issue.<\/p>\n
You can clear your computer’s temporary files through Settings.<\/p>\n
These steps will show you how to free up space on your PC to stop the high disk usage problem:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Launch the Settings<\/em> app and click System<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Select Storage<\/em> in the left pane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\tNote<\/div>\r\n\tOpen Settings and click Storage under System if you\u2019re running Windows 11.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Windows]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Click Temporary Files<\/em> under your hard drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Windows will scan the temp files on your drive and list them in different categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\tNote<\/div>\r\n\tDownloads are files you downloaded to your computer if you did not change your default downloads folder.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- Select the temporary files you want to delete and click Remove Files<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Windows]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nYou can also turn on the Storage Sense<\/a> option to enable Windows to remove temporary files and free up space automatically.<\/p>\n
Click the Storage Sense option on the Storage page and choose how you want Windows to do that.<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Windows]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nIf you want the best storage and system performance management, use Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a> as we mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n
The program tracks your system\u2019s health and ensures you don\u2019t experience performance problems.<\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udccc Also read: <\/strong>How to Delete Temporary Internet Files?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 7: Turn off SuperFetch<\/h3>\n
The SuperFetch service – now known as SysMain <\/a>– aims to improve system performance by analyzing your frequently used apps and helping you preload them. This way, you can experience faster load times and smooth app performance.<\/p>\n
However, SuperFetch may lead to 100% disk usage when it preloads too many programs, causing your system to slow down.<\/p>\n
Try disabling SuperFetch to sort out the Windows 10 disk usage problem:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the Windows Start<\/em> menu and type
CMD<\/code>.<\/li>\n- Click Run as Administrator<\/em> under Command Prompt<\/em> and click Yes<\/em> in the UAC prompt.<\/li>\n
- After the Command Prompt<\/em> opens, type the following and tap the
Enter<\/code> keyboard button:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nnet.exe stop sysmain <\/code><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Type]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nHas your computer started to perform better?<\/p>\n
If not, proceed to the following tip.<\/p>\n
Fix 8: Disable Windows tips, tricks, and suggestions<\/h3>\n
Some tips and suggestions can slow down your PC instead of accelerating its performance.<\/p>\n
- Click Run as Administrator<\/em> under Command Prompt<\/em> and click Yes<\/em> in the UAC prompt.<\/li>\n
- Open the Windows Start<\/em> menu and type
- Select the temporary files you want to delete and click Remove Files<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Windows will scan the temp files on your drive and list them in different categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Select Storage<\/em> in the left pane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Launch the Settings<\/em> app and click System<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Go to Command Prompt<\/em> again -> Type
- Click Run as Administrator<\/em> under Command Prompt<\/em> and click Yes<\/em> in the UAC prompt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Open the Windows Start<\/em> menu and type
- You can now change the locations that Windows Search<\/em> can index.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Click Indexing Options<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Open the Start menu<\/em> and type
- Go to the System Tray<\/em> (where your time and date are displayed) and click the upward-facing arrow.<\/li>\n
- Note that the scan may take longer than one hour as it goes through personal and system files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Select Full Scan<\/em> and click Scan Now<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Select Task Manager<\/em> in the Power User<\/em> menu.<\/li>\n
![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-Update-Settings-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Optimize](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Optimize-Your-Computers-Startup-Auslogics-BoostSpeed-1-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Auslogics](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Auslogics-BoostSpeed-13-Basic-and-Advanced-modes.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Auslogics](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Auslogics-BoostSpeed-13-Disable-Disk-Priority-Manager.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Auslogics](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Auslogics-BoostSpeed-13-All-Tools.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Auslogics](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Auslogics-BoostSpeed-13-Automatic-Maintenance.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Auslogics](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Auslogics-BoostSpeed-13-Scheduler.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Click](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Virus-and-Threat-Protection-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Select](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/virus-and-threat-protection-scan-options.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Select](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-10-Full-Security-Scan.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Virus](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Virus-and-Threat-Protection-Manage-Settings.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Turn](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Virus-and-threat-protection-settings-Windows-10-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Click](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Indexing-options-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"After](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Modify-indexing-options-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"You](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Indexing-locations-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Click](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Run-Command-Prompt-as-Admin-4.webp\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Command](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Command-Prompt-Windows-Search.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-System-storage.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Click](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-System-Storage-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-10-Remove-Temporary-Files.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-10-Storage-Sense.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Type](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Stop-Sysmain-command-Command-Prompt.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Check](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Check-Your-Disk-for-Errors-via-Chckdsk.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n