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
    2014-09-25T01:59:09+00:00

    ok so you want to disable "superfetch" and "windows search" and i've done this and it does lower the 100% disk useage on windows 8.1.

    1. move your mouse over to the top right of the screen and drag your mouse down
    2. then click "search" and type in "run" 
    3. then a box should appear in the bottom of your screen then u type in "services.msc"
    4. scroll down until you find both windows search and superfetch
    5. right click on the applications and click properties then where it says start up type change it to "disabled"
    6. apply these setting then click ok

    if you apply and click ok the applications shouldn't be coming back on its own 

    and i don't know whats going on with windows they have these programs which are suppose to help windows run better but they cause the hard drive to run a lot, i believe that the new start menu has too many background applications to keep live feeds like news, weather, mail, etc.

    i also didnt follow the advice of doing the command promp thing and etc the problem is too big, windows needs to get things in order they are too big of a company and have many shoes to fill but its a tall order considering Microsoft is in charge of a Computer company (Windows), running a gaming company (XBOX), and recently purchasing rights to Minecraft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            if there's anything else ask :) and good luck bro

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-02T05:38:09+00:00

    Sorry that it took so long to respond. I was expecting an email to let me know that there is a new posting.

    I don't know about "shouldn't be". I only know about "is be".  My PC does turn Superfetch on while in use and after reboot. Will you check to make sure that your PC is not doing the same? I turned off "Fast Startup" also with the same result. 

    During the time before windows turns Superfetch back on there is most definitely less disk usage because I can hear the HDD and see the HDD indicator light. Task Manager shows 100% usage for several minutes when enabled. With it disabled, there is only a brief peak at 100 %.

    In the registry, I set "EnablePrefetcher" and "EnableSuperfetch" to zero (disable).  Again with the same results even when running the command prompt as an administrator. I tried to use 1, which is to run only for system files. No change.

    Hopefully M/S can help us on this.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-14T01:55:36+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.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-15T16:27:39+00:00

    I have the same problem , i searched the web and solved it like this but sometimes it goes back on and i have to repeat the process:

    Go to charms bar and press search, then type view local services.

    Once here, stop and disable BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service). Also, set windows update checks to manual.

    This isn't a good solution, microsoft should solve it, whats the use to have a state of the art pc if the OS is like windows 8, shame on you microsoft to release this windows 8 , windows 7 was much better, even the downgrade isn't clear, you should have a link installed directly to windows 8 system to download windows 7 , instead we just give up in all the "solutions" , your service is realy going bad, hope you wake up before its to late

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