100% Disk Usage on Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2014-06-22T07:15:31+00:00

Hello, I'm Leo

I would like to address the problem with windows 8.1, i find that with updating Windows from Windows 8 to 8.1 causes a very concerning problem.

the problem causes the disk usage as show in the task manger to be 100%.

The problem with 100% disk usage causes some problems like:

  • Slows Down Computer
  • Ruins Hard Drive (Over Long term use without FIX)

I've tried to fix it many times, i have used many methods like: 

  • Running Command Prompt
  • Scanning my Files and Hard Drives
  • Restore my PC to Factory Settings

non of these worked and now i have read the post of where u run "services.msc" and disable few services like "Superfetch" or "Windows Services" but i realize that this is not a fix and that when windows tells you to do this it only to make it look like your disk it not 100%, my computer still runs pretty slow (Got my Laptop 3 months ago) and i have not downloaded any third party software cause my network is always at 0% when i have 100% Disk usage.

Conclusion:

Windows 8.1 is the cause of the 100% Disk Usage. Windows 8.1 has a lot more background programs running than windows 8 did this change has caused windows to use up 100% of the disk space

I need help i need someone to help fix this problem

Ps all my files and programs are up to date including my BIOS

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2015-03-23T15:41:01+00:00

Hi Joel,

Try the following methods and check if it resolves the issue.

Method 1:

Step 1: Try Safe Mode

Safe mode is the configuration of Windows, when it is running on only basic set of drivers and all the startups are disabled. To know more about safe mode, follow the article below:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

If the issue is resolved in safe mode, follow step 2 after restarting the computer in regular mode.

Step 2: Clean Boot

A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program in Windows. To know more, follow the article below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, refer to this section ‘How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting’.

Method 2: Run a Virus Scan

I would recommend you to run a complete virus scan using the Microsoft Safety Scanner. It will scan the computer for viruses and malicious programs. To download it and know more about it, click on the link below.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Disclaimer: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Hope this information was helpful.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-04-15T22:49:25+00:00

    How are we supposed to observe the issue in Safe Mode? The Performance tab in Task Manager when in Safe Mode only shows CPU & Memory usage ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-04-15T15:54:54+00:00

    Hi John,

    I understand it’s very frustrating when such a thing happens. However, I would like to know:

     1. Have you tried all the suggestions provided in the above post?

     2. What all steps have you tried on your own to fix this issue? And, what were the results of each step?

    Let us know the details, so that we can research more and help you with a solution.

    Thank You

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-13T05:05:24+00:00

    Hi , I've had the same problem (100% disk usage). For me it looks like the problem is AntiMalware Executable (Windows Defender service). I'm not sure how but fix it. But I'm sure sick of having to deal with it every so often.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-01T22:10:49+00:00

    I had seen a solution to this problem elsewhere - open Skype. I tried many of the other suggested solutions, even opened the desktop version of Skype that I usually use, just to test the theory (all of this took hours as my computer was so slow and Skype seemed like a long shot solution). Finally I tried opening the Skype App (8.1) and after taking around 10 minutes to open, disk usage immediately went down to single digits and has been fluctuating normally ever since. Odd, but effective. Might want to try it.

    Hi Brandon, seems really clever but i did try this and disc stopped being at 100%. Thanks!

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