How to fix 100% disk usage

How to fix 100% disk usage

Part 1: How to fix 100% disk usage Quick steps

Begin with these simple steps. They will fix the issue in most cases.

Restart your PC

Restart Your PC

^{A simple restart can fix temporary glitches}

^{Save your work.}
^Click ^Start ^> ^Power ^> ^Restart ^.

Check for Windows Updates

Check for Windows updates

^{Updates can fix bugs that cause high disk usage.}

^Settings ^> ^{Windows Update}
^{Click “} ^{Check for updates} ^“
^{Install all available updates}

End Unnecessary Tasks

End Unnecessary Tasks

^{Close apps using a lot of disk}

^{Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc}
^{Click the “Disk” Column}
^{Right-Click > End task}

Disable Startup Programs

Disable Startup Programs

^{Too many startup apps can slow your system down.}

^{Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc}
^{Go to Startup tab}
^{Disable Unnecessary apps}

Check for Malware

Check for Malware

^{Malware can cause high disk usage.}

^{Open windows security}
^{Click Virus & threat protection}
^{Run a Full scan}

Run Disk Cleanup

Run Disk Cleanup

^{Remove temporary files and system junk.}

^{Search “} ^{Disk Cleanup} ^“
^{Select your drive (C:)}
^{Check all items}
^Click ^OK ^> ^{Delete Files}

Ensure that there is Enough Free Disk Space

Ensure that there is Enough Free Disk Space

^{Low disk space can cause performance problems.}

^{Keep at least 15-20% free space}
^{Delete or move large files}

Part 2: Advanced & Intermediate Methods

If the basic steps didn’t work, try these advanced solutions.

Disable SysMain

Disable SysMain (Superfetch)

^{SysMain can cause high disk usage on some systems.}

^{Press “} ^{Windows + R} ^“
^{Type “} ^services.msc ^“
^{Find “} ^SysMain ^“
^{Right-click >} ^Properties
^{Change Startup type to} ^Disabled
^Click ^Stop ^> ^OK

Disable Windows Search Indexing

Disable Windows Search Indexing

^{Search indexing can heavily increase disk usage.}

^{Press “} ^{Windows + R} ^“
^{Type “} ^services.msc ^“
^{Find “Windows Search”}
^{Right-click >} ^Properties
^{Change Startup type to} ^Disabled
^Click ^Stop ^> ^OK

Clear the Windows Update Cache

Clear the Windows Update Cache

^{Corrupted update files can cause hight disk usage.}

^{Press “} ^{Windows + R} ^“
^{Type the path above and press “} ^Enter ^“
^{Delete all files in the folder}
^{Restart your PC}

Check your drive for errors

Check your drive for errors

^{Bad sectors or file system errors can max out disk usage.}

^{Open Command prompt as Administrator}
^Type: ^{ChkDsk C: /F /R}
^{Press “} ^Enter ^“
^{Restart and allow the scan to complete}

Update storage drive and chipset Drivers

Update storage drive and chipset Drivers

^{Outdated drivers can cause performance issues.}

^{Visit your PC or Motherboard manufacturer’s website}
^{Download and install the latest driver}
^{Restart your PC}

Check Drive Health (S.M.A.R.T.)

Check Drive Health (S.M.A.R.T.)

^{A failing drive can cause 100% usage.}

^{Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo or you drive manufacturer tool}
^{Check the S.M.A.R.T. status}
^{Replace the drive if needed}