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

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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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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-09T11:12:43+00:00

    Hello Leo,

    did you get this problem fixed? If so, how? Same Problem here, tried everything that was suggested on the net and nothing solved it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-11T10:51:19+00:00

    Hi Michael,

    Sorry to know that you are facing issues using Windows 81. We would need more information on the issue you are facing.

    1. What is the make and model of the PC?
    2. What are the troubleshooting steps that you have tried?

    I would suggest you to increase this virtual memory and check if it helps.

    We will try to increase this virtual memory. Make it equivalent to your RAM size for the initial size and twice of the initial size in maximum size and make sure you have the same amount of free space in your hard drive in each drive.

    a. Press windows + R key from the keyboard.

    b. Select the option Control Panel and All control panel items then System.

    c. Click on Advanced system settings.

    d. Underperformance, click on settings.

    e. Go to Advanced tab, Under Virtual memory, click on Change.

    f. UN-check "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" check box.

    g. Select your windows drive (where OS is installed).

    h. Click on Custom size radio button.

    i. Set Initial size equivalent to your RAM size in MB.

    j. Set Maximum size to twice of your RAM size in MB.

    k. Click on Set.

    l. Click on OK thrice.

    m. Restart the system.

    Let us know the result.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-24T19:09:31+00:00

    I am siding with Leo here. It is 8.1. My computer often ran very slow as if it were locked up. When this was happening I could hear the HDD continuously working. After way too much time, the HDD would go quiet and the computer would respond again. Task Manager shows 100% disk usage at certain times when disk activity is not expected like switching from one tab to another using Chrome or loading a YouTube video. When this happens it stays there for a long time. Same thing when using Internet Explorer

    Per other finds in a search on the web, I disabled Superfetch and Windows Search in Services. The problem went away. The computer is fast and working as expected. One problem though is that Superfetch will turn switch back to automatic on its own.

    I followed RajithR instructions but could not find "Select Columns". Maybe I don,t understand " columns headers". 

    These tasks seem helpful and thinking that disabling was a work around, I wanted to see what Microsoft had to say about the problem. It seems that there is a learning curve for Superfetch to do what it was designed to do. This learning curve by far exceeds any benefit that could be gained

    My questions to Microsoft are these:

    Are these two services working as intended?

    Is turning them off a workaround?

    What is the downside of not using them?

    If I leave them enabled, how long until I see the stated benefits?

    Is there something in the registry that can be changed to prevent Superfetch from enabling itself? 

    Using a Samsung NP365E5C

    Thanks

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