In this article, I will share 10 tips to resolve the issue of 100% disk usage in the Windows 10 Task Manager.
Identify the cause of high disk usage in Windows 10
[SOLVED] 10 Tips to Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task Manager
Is your Windows 10 computer experiencing high disk usage? This can cause slow performance and make it difficult to use your PC effectively. In this article, we’ll provide you with 10 tips to help you identify and resolve the cause of high disk usage in Windows 10.
1. Check Task Manager: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Look for the processes or applications that are using a significant amount of disk resources.
2. Scan for Malware: Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to check for any malware or viruses that may be causing high disk usage. If you don’t have an antivirus software, consider installing one.
3. Disable Windows Search: Type “Services” in the Windows search bar, then open the Services app. Locate “Windows Search” in the list, right-click on it, and select “Properties.” Change the startup type to “Disabled” and click “Apply” to disable Windows Search.
4. Update Device Drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can also cause high disk usage. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your hardware.
5. Disable SuperFetch: Type “Services” in the Windows search bar, then open the Services app. Locate “SuperFetch” in the list, right-click on it, and select “Properties.” Change the startup type to “Disabled” and click “Apply” to disable SuperFetch.
6. Disable OneDrive: If you’re not using OneDrive, you can disable it to reduce disk usage. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, select “Settings,” go to the “Settings” tab, and uncheck the box next to “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.”
7. Disable Windows Tips and Tricks: Open the Settings app, go to “System,” then click on “Notifications & actions.” Scroll down and toggle off the option for “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.”
8. Check for Windows Updates: Keeping your Windows system up to date is crucial. Go to Settings, click on “Update & Security,” and then select “Check for updates” to ensure you have the latest updates installed.
9. Reduce Virtual Memory Size: Open the Control Panel, go to “System and Security,” and click on “System.” Click on “Advanced system settings” on the left sidebar, go to the “Advanced” tab, and click on “Settings” under the “Performance” section. In the new window, go to the “Advanced” tab, click on “Change” under the “Virtual memory” section, uncheck the option for “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives,” select the “Custom size” option, and set the initial and maximum size to the same value (around 1.5 times your RAM size).
10. Disable Background Apps: Open the Settings app, go to “Privacy,” and click on “Background apps.” Toggle off the apps that you don’t need running in the background.
By following these tips, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of high disk usage in Windows 10. If the issue persists, it may be helpful to seek further technical support or consult online resources such as Microsoft’s official website or community forums.
Best ways to fix high disk usage in Windows 10
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc
- Click on the Services tab
- Scroll down and locate Windows Search in the list
- Right-click on Windows Search and select Properties
- In the General tab, change the Startup type to Disabled
- Click Apply and then OK
- Restart your computer
Method 2: Disable Superfetch
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc
- Click on the Services tab
- Scroll down and locate Superfetch in the list
- Right-click on Superfetch and select Properties
- In the General tab, change the Startup type to Disabled
- Click Apply and then OK
- Restart your computer
Method 3: Change the Virtual Memory
- Press Win + X and select System
- Click on Advanced system settings
- In the Performance section, click on Settings
- Go to the Advanced tab and click on Change
- Uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”
- Select the Custom size option
- Set the Initial size and Maximum size to the recommended values or adjust as needed
- Click OK to save the changes
- Restart your computer
Method 4: Update Device Drivers
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager
- Expand the categories and locate the device drivers that need to be updated
- Right-click on the device driver and select Update driver
- Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process
- Repeat for all necessary device drivers
Method 5: Disable Windows Tips
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app
- Click on System
- Go to the Notifications & actions tab
- Scroll down and toggle off the option that says Show me tips about Windows
Method 6: Perform a Disk Cleanup
- Press Win + X and select File Explorer
- Right-click on the C: drive and select Properties
- In the General tab, click on Disk Cleanup
- Check the boxes for the files you want to delete (e.g., temporary files, recycle bin)
- Click OK and then Delete Files
Method 7: Disable Background Apps
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app
- Click on Privacy
- In the left sidebar, click on Background apps
- Toggle off the apps you don’t want running in the background
Method 8: Check for Malware
- Open your preferred antivirus software
- Run a full system scan to check for malware or viruses
- If any threats are detected, follow the instructions to remove them
Method 9: Disable Automatic Windows Updates
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app
- Click on Update & Security
- Go to the Windows Update tab
- Click on Advanced options
- Toggle off the option that says Automatically download updates
Method 10: Perform a Clean Boot
- Press Win + R and type msconfig
- In the General tab of the System Configuration window, select Selective startup
- Uncheck the box that says “Load startup items”
- Go to the Services tab
- Check the box that says “Hide all Microsoft services”
- Click on Disable all
- Click Apply and then OK
- Restart your computer
Update Windows 10
Is your Windows 10 computer experiencing slow performance with 100% disk usage? Follow these 10 tips to fix the issue and optimize your system’s performance.
1. Check for Windows Updates: Keeping your system up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Go to the Start menu, type “Windows Update,” and click on the corresponding result. Then, click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.
2. Scan for Malware: A computer virus or malware can cause high disk usage. Open the Windows Security app from the Start menu, select “Virus & threat protection,” and run a full scan to remove any threats.
3. Disable Windows Search: Windows Search can sometimes consume excessive disk resources. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the “Details” tab, find “SearchIndexer.exe,” right-click on it, and select “End task.”
4. Disable Superfetch and Prefetch: These services can also contribute to high disk usage. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start menu, selecting “Command Prompt (Admin),” and type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
net.exe stop superfetch
net.exe stop sysmain
net.exe stop prefetch
5. Disable Windows Tips: Windows Tips can sometimes run in the background and cause high disk usage. Open the Start menu, go to “Settings,” select “System,” and click on “Notifications & actions.” Toggle off the “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows” option.
6. Update Device Drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can also result in high disk usage. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your computer or device and download the latest drivers.
7. Perform a Disk Cleanup: Unnecessary files and temporary data can consume disk space and slow down your system. Open the Start menu, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select the corresponding result. Choose the drive you want to clean and select the file categories you want to delete.
8. Disable Background Applications: Some applications run in the background and consume system resources. To disable them, open the Task Manager, go to the “Startup” tab, right-click on any unnecessary applications, and select “Disable.”
9. Adjust Virtual Memory Settings: Virtual memory settings can affect disk performance. Open the Start menu, type “Advanced system settings,” and click on the corresponding result. In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab and click on the “Settings” button under the “Performance” section. Then, go to the “Advanced” tab in the Performance Options window, click on the “Change” button under the “Virtual memory” section, and select the “System managed size” option.
10. Upgrade Your Hardware: If all else fails, consider upgrading your hardware components, such as adding more RAM or replacing your hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD). This can significantly improve your system’s performance.
python
import psutil
def get_disk_usage():
disk_usage = psutil.disk_usage('/')
total = disk_usage.total // (2**30) # Convert to GB
used = disk_usage.used // (2**30)
free = disk_usage.free // (2**30)
percentage = disk_usage.percent
print(f"Total disk space: {total} GB")
print(f"Used disk space: {used} GB")
print(f"Free disk space: {free} GB")
print(f"Disk usage percentage: {percentage}%")
get_disk_usage()
This code snippet uses the `psutil` library to retrieve disk usage information for the root directory (`’/’`) and prints the total, used, free disk space, and disk usage percentage. Note that this code only provides information about disk usage and does not manage or manipulate tasks in any way.
Please keep in mind that this code is a basic example and may need further customization based on your specific requirements or preferences.
Disable Superfetch
If you’re experiencing 100% disk usage on your Windows 10 Task Manager, disabling Superfetch can help resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and find “Superfetch” in the list of services.
4. Right-click on “Superfetch” and select “Properties” from the context menu.
5. In the Properties window, go to the “General” tab.
6. Under the “Startup type” section, select “Disabled” from the drop-down menu.
7. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Once you’ve disabled Superfetch, restart your computer and check if the 100% disk usage issue has been resolved. Disabling Superfetch can help reduce unnecessary disk activity and improve system performance.
Remove viruses and malware
If you suspect that your Windows 10 computer is infected with viruses or malware, follow these tips to remove them and improve your system’s performance.
1. Run a full system scan with a reliable antivirus software to detect and remove any malicious programs. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date with the latest virus definitions.
2. Use Windows Defender, the built-in security software in Windows 10, to scan your system for malware. Open Windows Defender from the Start menu, go to Virus & threat protection, and click on Quick scan or Full scan.
3. If your antivirus software or Windows Defender detects any viruses or malware, follow the recommended actions to remove them. This may include quarantining or deleting infected files.
4. Consider using additional malware removal tools for a thorough scan. There are many reputable third-party tools available that can help you detect and remove stubborn malware.
5. Remove any suspicious browser extensions or add-ons. Open your web browser’s settings and go to the Extensions or Add-ons section. Disable or remove any extensions that you don’t recognize or trust.
6. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to eliminate any potential malware lurking in temporary files. In your browser’s settings, look for options to clear browsing data or history.
7. Update your operating system and software regularly to patch any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by viruses or malware. Enable automatic updates to ensure you’re always protected with the latest security patches.
8. Be cautious when downloading and installing software from the internet. Stick to trusted sources and avoid downloading files from unknown or suspicious websites.
9. Regularly backup your important files and data to an external storage device or cloud service. In case of a malware infection, you can restore your files from the backup without losing them.
10. Educate yourself and your family about safe internet practices. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening email attachments from unknown senders. Be skeptical of pop-up ads that prompt you to download software or provide personal information.
Reinstall or update antivirus software
If you’re experiencing 100% disk usage in your Windows 10 Task Manager, it’s important to ensure that your antivirus software is up to date and functioning properly. Antivirus software plays a crucial role in protecting your computer from malware and other threats. Here’s how you can reinstall or update your antivirus software to help resolve the issue:
1. Identify your antivirus software: Determine which antivirus software you have installed on your computer. This information can usually be found in the system tray or by searching for “antivirus” in the Start menu.
2. Visit the official website: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official website of your antivirus software provider.
3. Look for the “Download” or “Update” section: Once you’re on the website, locate the section that offers downloads or updates for your antivirus software.
4. Download the latest version: If there’s a newer version available, click on the download button to get the latest version of the software. Make sure to choose the version that is compatible with your operating system (e.g., Windows 10).
5. Save the installer file: After the download is complete, save the installer file to a convenient location on your computer, such as your desktop.
6. Close unnecessary applications: Before proceeding with the installation or update, close any unnecessary applications or processes running in the background. This will help ensure a smooth installation or update process.
7. Run the installer: Locate the installer file you downloaded and double-click on it to run the installation or update process. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the antivirus software.
8. Restart your computer: After the installation or update is complete, it’s recommended to restart your computer to apply any changes made by the antivirus software.
9. Perform a full system scan: Once your computer has restarted, open your antivirus software and perform a full system scan to check for any potential malware or threats.
10. Monitor disk usage: After reinstalling or updating your antivirus software, keep an eye on your Task Manager to see if the disk usage has improved. If the issue persists, consider seeking further technical support or trying other troubleshooting methods.
Close background applications
If you’re experiencing slow performance or high disk usage on your Windows 10 computer, closing background applications can help resolve the issue. Here are some steps to follow:
- Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
- In the Task Manager window, go to the Processes tab.
- Sort the processes by Disk to find the ones causing high disk usage.
- Identify any applications or processes that are using a significant amount of disk resources.
- Right-click on the identified processes and select End task from the context menu.
- If prompted, confirm that you want to end the task.
- Repeat this process for any other applications or processes causing high disk usage.
- Once you’ve closed the unnecessary applications, check if the disk usage has decreased.
- If the issue persists, consider updating your device drivers and firmware, as outdated drivers can sometimes cause high disk usage.
- You can also try disabling any unnecessary startup programs that might be contributing to the issue.
Reset or reinstall synchronization tools
Resetting or reinstalling synchronization tools can help resolve issues with high disk usage in Windows 10 Task Manager. Here are some tips to fix the problem:
1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab and look for any processes using a high amount of disk resources.
3. Right-click on the process and select “End task” to stop it.
4. If the issue persists, try resetting the synchronization tools. Go to the Start menu and search for “Sync settings”.
5. Click on “Sync settings” and toggle the switch to turn off synchronization.
6. Restart your computer and then go back to the “Sync settings” menu.
7. Toggle the switch to turn synchronization back on.
8. If resetting the synchronization tools doesn’t work, you may need to reinstall them.
9. Go to the Start menu and search for “Control Panel”. Open it.
10. Click on “Programs” and then “Programs and Features”.
11. Look for the synchronization tool you want to reinstall (e.g., Dropbox) and right-click on it.
12. Select “Uninstall” and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the tool.
13. Once the tool is uninstalled, go to its official website and download the latest version.
14. Install the synchronization tool again and follow any setup instructions provided.
15. After reinstalling, check Task Manager to see if the disk usage has decreased.
By resetting or reinstalling synchronization tools, you can resolve high disk usage issues in Windows 10 Task Manager. If the problem persists, consider contacting the tool’s support team or seeking further assistance from Microsoft’s customer support.
Rebuild the Windows Search index
If you’re experiencing slow search results or incomplete search results on your Windows 10 PC, it may be time to rebuild the Windows Search index. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. In the Task Manager, go to the “Processes” tab and look for “SearchIndexer.exe” in the list. If you don’t see it, go to the “Details” tab and look for “SearchIndexer.exe” there.
3. Right-click on “SearchIndexer.exe” and select “End Task” to stop the indexing process.
4. Open the Windows Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
5. In the Control Panel, search for “Indexing Options” and click on it.
6. In the Indexing Options window, click on the “Advanced” button.
7. In the Advanced Options window, click on the “Rebuild” button under the Troubleshooting section.
8. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click on “OK” to start the rebuilding process.
9. The rebuilding process can take some time, depending on the size of your index and the speed of your computer. It is recommended to leave your computer idle during this process.
10. Once the rebuilding process is complete, you can close the Indexing Options window.
By rebuilding the Windows Search index, you can improve the speed and accuracy of your search results on Windows 10.
Repair hard disk issues
| Tips | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check for malware and perform a virus scan |
| 2 | Disable Windows Search service |
| 3 | Update device drivers |
| 4 | Disable Windows notifications |
| 5 | Disable SuperFetch service |
| 6 | Disable Windows tips and tricks |
| 7 | Change power settings |
| 8 | Disable Windows automatic updates |
| 9 | Perform a disk cleanup |
| 10 | Upgrade your hardware (e.g., replace HDD with SSD) |
Delete malfunctioning page files
If you’re experiencing 100% disk usage on your Windows 10 computer, deleting malfunctioning page files can help resolve the issue. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Processes” tab.
3. Look for the process called “System” and right-click on it.
4. Select “End Task” from the context menu. This will temporarily stop the process.
5. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E on your keyboard.
6. In the address bar, type C:\ and press Enter. This will open the C: drive.
7. Navigate to the Windows folder and open it.
8. Look for a folder named Temp and open it.
9. Select all the files in the Temp folder and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
10. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
By deleting the malfunctioning page files in the Temp folder, you can free up disk space and potentially resolve the 100% disk usage issue in Windows 10.
Optimize your hard disk
If you’re experiencing high disk usage on your Windows 10 computer, there are several steps you can take to optimize your hard disk and improve performance. Here are 10 tips to help you fix the issue:
1. Disable Windows Search Indexing: Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the “Processes” tab. Look for “SearchIndexer.exe” and right-click on it, then select “End Task” to temporarily disable Windows Search Indexing.
2. Check for Malware: Run a full scan using your antivirus software to detect and remove any computer viruses or malware that may be causing high disk usage.
3. Update Device Drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can also contribute to high disk usage. Visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers for your hardware.
4. Disable Superfetch: Superfetch is a Windows service that helps to speed up your system by preloading frequently used applications into memory. However, it can sometimes cause high disk usage. To disable it, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “net.exe stop superfetch“.
5. Adjust Windows Performance Settings: Open the Control Panel and search for “Performance”. Click on “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” and go to the “Advanced” tab. Under “Virtual memory”, click on “Change” and uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”. Set the initial and maximum size of the paging file to the same value (recommended size is 1.5 times your RAM size).
6. Disable Windows Tips and Tricks: Windows 10 sometimes uses disk resources to download tips and tricks from the Internet. To disable this feature, go to “Settings”, then “System”, and click on “Notifications & actions”. Scroll down to find the “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows” option and turn it off.
7. Disable Background Apps: Some applications running in the background can cause high disk usage. To disable them, go to “Settings”, then “Privacy”, and click on “Background apps”. Toggle off the apps that you don’t need running in the background.
8. Disable Windows Notifications: Windows notifications can also consume disk resources. Go to “Settings”, then “System”, and click on “Notifications & actions”. Toggle off the notifications that you don’t need.
9. Check for Software Bugs: Some software bugs can cause high disk usage. Check for any available updates or patches for the applications you’re using.
10. Upgrade Your Hard Disk: If all else fails, consider upgrading your hard disk to a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are faster and more efficient than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which can greatly improve disk performance.
