How to Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10

 

High disk usage can cause your PC to slow down. If your disk is constantly at 100%, try these steps to fix it:

1. Check Task Manager

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• Under the Processes tab, check which application is using the most disk. If it’s a specific app, try updating or disabling it.

2. Disable Windows Search

Sometimes Windows Search can cause high disk usage. To disable it temporarily:

• Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

• Type net stop "Windows Search" and press Enter.

• To stop it permanently, press Win + R, type services.msc, and find Windows Search. Set its Startup Type to Disabled.

3. Disable Superfetch (SysMain)

Superfetch, or SysMain, can cause high disk usage. To disable it:

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

• Find SysMain, right-click, and select Stop.

• Set Startup Type to Disabled.

4. Check for Malware

Malware can consume disk resources. Run a full system scan using Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus.

5. Update Drivers

Outdated drivers, especially for your storage device, can cause disk problems. Update drivers via Device Manager:

• Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Disk drives, right-click your drive, and select Update driver.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates.

7. Turn Off Startup Programs

Too many startup programs can eat up disk resources. To manage startup items:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• Go to the Startup tab, disable unnecessary apps, and restart your PC.

8. Run Disk Cleanup

• Open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, and select Properties.

• Click Disk Cleanup and select files to clean up, including temporary files.

9. Check for Disk Errors

Run a disk check to identify any issues:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin) and type chkdsk /f and press Enter. Restart your PC to let it check and fix disk errors.