How to Fix “100% Disk Usage Issue on Windows 10 or 11”

Today, this article will describe how to fix the “100% disk usage” issue on Windows 10 or 11. The Task Manager is a useful tool that most of us employ when we have a sluggish computer and wish to disable some activities and applications.  It keeps track of CPU, storage, and disc consumption, among other things. If your Windows performance has generally deteriorated, you will be on the watch for either.

There is the reason for worry if the disc utilization is continually hanging near 100 percent (and correctly displayed in red). Typically, disc use shouldn’t ever reach this level. However, if it does, you may be assured that something is amiss with your computer.

Here’s all you need to know about what’s causing your disc use to be 100 percent, as well as a few solutions.

What does “100% Disk Usage” entail?

Hard drives have specified read/write capabilities that range from 80 to 150 megabytes per second. Also, the fastest of them are limited to 200MBps. When disc utilization exceeds its peak strength, it indicates that it is being used whether by visible processes or background applications.

Why should you be worried about 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10?

100% disc use is usually typically associated with poor processor speed, video difficulties, and loud crunching noises from the hard drive moving at full speed. This issue may affect even new computers, which is among the reasons why there appear to be several aspects to the condition.

What triggers a disc use of 100%?

If the disc utilization % is always completely filled, there are a multitude of considerations that might be wrong with your system. Whether it’s a hardware failure like a faulty cable modem, or an issue with Windows background tools and products, damaged files, or problematic patches, it all adds up over time and halts the PC.

How to Recover 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 or 11?

Due to the broad number of possible factors for a computer that is overloaded, pinpointing precisely what is pressuring the hard drive might be difficult. To that aim, we examine all of the options for resolving this issue. Try each of these solutions one at a time to see if the disc utilization % decreases.

Reload the Search Index after deleting it

Windows Search Index is one of the most prevalent causes of high disc utilization. It is responsible for swiftly locating files and directories by analyzing the disc and converting it into an index.

However, certain Windows 10 vulnerabilities might enable the search index to perform unlimited loops, forcing the disc to overflow.

  • To fix this problem, go to Start and enter “Indexing.” Select Indexing Options from the drop-down menu.
  • Select Advanced from the drop-down menu.
  • Then you have to select Rebuild.
  • Choose OK when asked.
  • This will wipe and reconstruct the index, perhaps resolving the factor that causes the hard drive to overheat.

It, unfortunately, may just keep it from entering a ‘search loop’ for a short time, until Windows is restarted. Thankfully, there is a process of turning off the Windows Search Index completely.

  • To do so, open the RUN box by pressing Win+R, then type “services.msc” and press Enter.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the ‘Services’ box and double-click Windows Search.
  • Then, next to “Startup type,” select one of the options from the drop-down menu.
  • Select Deactivated.
  • The last move is to select OK.

Suspend the Windows Search and Superfetch (SysMain) programs

Another possible issue straining the disc is the Superfetch service, or SysMain as it was called following a 2018 upgrade. Such a feature was initially offered in Windows Vista. It calculates how and when you utilize particular apps by evaluating your user behavior and preloads their files to storage so they launch quicker.

However, it is far from flawless, as are all things Vista. Superfetch (or SysMain) is infamous for hogging disk space and causing technical problems that would not otherwise arise. The simplest solution is to turn off this service entirely.

  • To do so, use Win+R to open the RUN box, then type “services.msc” into it.
  • Then, scroll to the bottom until you come across SysMain and double-click it.
  • Select Startup Type from the drop-down menu.
  • Disable should be selected.
  • Select OK.
  • Examine the disc use again to see if anything has changed.

Need to Update Paging or Virtual Memory

If you reach out of RAM on your computer, Windows provides a handy feature called page files that allows you to temporarily extend your ram. It’s referred to as ‘virtual’ since your computer uses the hard disk to complement the RAM for operations that require a large amount of memory.

However, the page file is easily corruptible and can result in increased disc use. A faulty page file can only be fixed by deleting it and creating a new one. Here’s how to go about it:

  • To open the Run dialog box, use Win+R, then input “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.
  • Go over to the Advanced setting option in the “System Properties” panel.
  • Then tap Settings under “Performance.”
  • The “Performance Options” window will pop up. Modifications may be seen on the Advanced tab.
  • Your next move is to select the box that mentions “Manage paging file sizes for all discs automatically.”
  • Select Custom size after selecting the drive where Windows is stored (the default is C:).
  • Specify the minimum and optimum paging sizes (both in MB) here. Depending on your machine, this may differ. However, in most circumstances, the recommended initial paging file size will be appropriate.
  • The maximum limit, obviously, should not exceed 1.5 times your RAM.
  • We’re attempting to avoid overburdening the disc, so don’t put this value too large. Instead, you might just choose No paging file to prevent your disc from imparting any virtual memory.
  • After you’ve entered your values, hit Set, then OK.

Need to Erase Temporary Files

  • The above solution necessitates the extra step of removing files from the ‘Temp’ folder, which decreases the disc burden under its own. You just might hit Win+R to enter the Run dialog box and type in ‘Temp’.
  • Remove everything in this folder.
  • Test to see whether the problem has been addressed.

Conclusion

We believe that one of the solutions listed above was successful in resolving your 100% disc use issue.