How to fix the 100% disk usage issue?

Hi guys, now we are going to solve the issue of 100% disk usage in your PC or Laptop. Basically, you will face this issue after your system boots itself. Why 100% disk usage is happening on computers? How you can find your system using 100% disk on a laptop or computer? All these questions may be breaking your head. Here is the solution for this issue and we are going to discuss why it is happening.

Even if you are using your computer for regular usage or gaming or editing nothing matter for everyone this may occur. Even if you press the Windows button on your keyboard and search for anything your computer or laptop does not even open the search. All this is because of 100% disk usage.

How can I fix the 100% disk usage issue?

On my laptop, I have 16GB of RAM, 1TB of Hard disk, and also an i5 processor too but it’s consuming 100% of the disk without any process. Do I need to extend my RAM or my hard disk or my graphics? Actually no, for disk usage why do we need to change or extend RAM. All you need is to find the route cause of disk usage. Going forward I will share with you some possible things which caused the 100% disk usage issue.

Why is 100% disk usage slowing down other processes?

During 100% usage of the disk, you can’t even perform simple tasks like Search, File Explorer, or even a task manager also will not open. And even right click and you tried to refresh also no open. This is due to the process that you are requesting not transferring to RAM and Processor for Processing. This is the main problem with slowing down your computer or laptop. This problem is caused due to a shortage in storage transfer rate.

Solutions to Fix 100% disk usage

Follow the below steps to fix this issue.

1. Run CHKDSK

CHKDSK is the default feature in windows to fix the drive errors themselves. Follow the steps to run CHKDSK.

How to run CHKDSK?

1. Go to This PC
2. Right-click on the drive you need to run CHKDSK.
3. Click on Properties.
4. Popup will open -> Go to Tools Tab
5. Click the button under the Error-checking section.
6. Click on Scan drive. It will take some time.
7. Once it did Restart your PC.

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2. Resetting Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is a space allocated in your Hard disk to fetch files faster. It’s the same as RAM(Random Access Memory). By default, the system allocates the space automatically. It is better to set its size to 1.5 times greater than RAM. If your RAM is 2GB 1024 * 2 = 2048 and 2048 * 1.5 = 3072MB. Likewise, set your manual size to Virtual memory. Follow the below steps to set it manually.

How to set the Virtual memory of a disk?

1. Go to This PC
2. Right-click on the page and select Properties.
3. On the properties page select Advanced System Settings (Can’t find out check the video above).
4. Go to the Advanced tab in the popup.
5. Click on Settings under the Performance section.
6. Then go to the Advanced tab in the Performance Option Popup.
7. Click the Change button in the Virtual memory section. Popup will be open.
8. Uncheck the -> Select the C: drive below.
9. Select Custom Size and enter the Initial and Maximum size in MB. (Calculated size above)
10. Click on SET and Apply.
11. Then Restart your computer.

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3. Disabling Windows Search

This step is based on your wish. Sometimes, Windows Search will be running in the background and it will reduce the system speed. If you follow this step it will fully disable the search feature. Don’t panic you can turn it on whenever you want.

Let us see how to disable the windows search feature:

1. Press WIN KEY + R
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
3. 
4. Double click on the windows search.
5. Set startup type to Disabled.
6. 
7. And then click on the Stop button.
8. Click on Apply.

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4. Super Fetch Service(SysMain)

This service will track your usage and prefetch your application even before you open that. This too causes the 100% disk usage issue. Please find the steps below to stop this service.

1. Press WIN KEY + R
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
3. 
4. Find the above service and Double click on it.
5. Set startup type to Disabled.
6. 
7. And then click on the Stop button.
8. Click on Apply.

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5. Diagnostics Tracking Service(Connected User Experiences and Telemetry)

If you turn it off, it will not affect your system because it shares the diagnostics data with windows.

1. Press WIN KEY + R
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
3. 
4. Find the above service and Double click on it.
5. Set startup type to Disabled.
6. 
7. And then click on the Stop button.
8. Click on Apply.

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6. High-Performance Mode

This setting will increase your system performance. Basically, all the systems will run under balanced mode. You will be able to change the mode to Power saving or Performance mode. If you are using a Laptop you will set it to power-saving mode to extend your battery life. But this is not required for PC users.

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click on Power Options.
3. Select High Performance

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7. Turnoff Chrome Prefetch

Browsers too maintain prefetch for speed. this will consume more Disk Space and RAM. Turning off this will improve your system performance. This setting may differ for other browsers. If you need help comment below.

1. Open your Chrome Browser.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Click on Privacy and Security from the left side panel.
4. Click on Cookies and other site data.
5. Find and Turn Off Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.

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8. MSI(Message Signal Interrupt)

SATA Controller has an MSI feature for avoiding exceptions. Your system will create interrupts if your disk has any errors. So, this will cause 100% disk usage.

1. Press WIN KEY + R
2. Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter. This will open Device Manager.
3. 
4. Right-click on Standard SATA AHCI Controller and click on Properties.
5. Go to the Details tab.
6. Under property select Device instance path.
7. Note the Value shown below.
8. Press WIN KEY + R
9. Type regedit and hit Enter.
10. In the opened window see the left sidebar.
11. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Enum -> PCI
12. In PCI you will find many devices and find the name you noted before in Step 7.
13. Once you find it, click and drop down it.
14. Inside you will find one folder and again drop down it.
15. Now you will find Device Parameters -> Interrupt Management -> MessageSignalInterruptProperties
16. Click on MessageSignalInterruptProperties and on your right panel you will find MSISupport.
17. Double click it and set the value data to 0.
18. All Done👍

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9. Disable Startup Applications

While you turn on your system some installed Applications will also get started. This will run in the background and cause speed issues while your system has 100% disk issue problems and also increase the bootup time. Turning off this will help to solve the speed issue.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task manager.
2. Go to Startup apps and Disable the unwanted apps to get started while bootup.

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10. Antivirus

Basically, the antivirus will slow down your system because it will actively scan your system files to find viruses or malware. But already your system is slow so this will even slow down your system. By default, Windows has its own antivirus called Windows Defender. It will also protect you from virus attacks.

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11. Windows Update

It is not advised to turn off updates because updates will fix bugs in your computer. Use this option only if you don’t want to spend money on your computer. If you can follow the next option in this tutorial.

1. On your Windows update page, you will find the Pause updates button.
2. Click and select the number of days you want.

Want to turn off the windows update completely? Check Here

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