How To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task Manager

If your computer is slow and taking too long to load files and documents and it randomly hangs then your hard disk is over-working causing performance issues on your Windows 10. Your task manager displays 100% disk usage that has to be managed otherwise the system becomes unresponsive.

Many users have also reported that they have faced 100% disk usage in Windows 10 when they updated to Windows OS making their experience rough and frustrating.

To fix the 100% disk usage error displayed by the task manager in Windows 10 there are some potential methods that you can try to fix errors on your computer.

How To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task Manager

Fix 1: Disable SuperFetch

SuperFetch is a window feature that aims to speed up your PC by preloading the frequently used apps improving the user experiences. It helps in the efficient running of programs on your Windows. However, it has been identified that disabling Superfetch can fix the issue because it’s a potential cause of high disk usage on Windows 10.

  • Press Windows keys and type Command Prompt
  • Go to the Run as Administrator. 
Open Command Prompt on Windows 10
  • User Account Control prompt will appear. Click Yes.
  • Now type net.exe stop superfetch in the command prompt window and hit Enter. You can also try the net.exe stop sysmain command if the above is shown to be invalid. 
Stop Superfetch on Windows 10
  • Check if the issue is resolved. For this go to the Processing Tab in the task manager. At the top of the disk, you will be able to see the disk usage in percentage.
Fix 100% disk usage in Windows 10

Fix 2: Update Windows 10

Any bugs and errors in your Windows are fixed by updates that are automatically installed into your computer. However, if you have missed any of these updates then your system can show a 100% disk usage error that interrupts the smooth functioning of the system. 

Check Windows 10 Update
  • Go to the Settings and then to Update & Security
  • Click on Windows Update to initiate the updates. You will see the updates in the process. Once it is finished and the problem is not yet resolved you can try other fixes.

Download and Install Windows 10 Update

Fix 3: Disable MSI Mode Via the Registry

One of the drivers which appears to cause a 100% disk usage issue on Windows 10 is the StorAHCI.sys driver. It connects your storage devices via Advanced Host Controller Interface PCI-Express and any firmware bug can cause this issue due to which you should disable MSI mode via the registry. 

Disable MSI Mode Via the Registry to fix 100% disk usage in Win 10
Disable MSI Mode Via the Registry to fix 100% disk usage in Win 10
Disable MSI Mode Via the Registry to fix 100% disk usage in Win 10
Disable MSI Mode Via the Registry to fix 100% disk usage in Win 10

Fix 4: Run a Disk Check

A disk check indicates if there is any physical damage to your hard drive to rule out the reason behind high disk usage. 

Run Command Prompt Admin in Windows 10
Run a Disk Check to fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager

Fix 5: Reset Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is an extension of a hard drive. When the RAM is not sufficient to perform a task, Windows temporarily store files in virtual memory and swap them back to RAM when required. Hence, any issue with the virtual memory caused the high disk usage issue on your Windows 10. 

Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Reset Virtual Memory To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager

Fix 6: Disable Windows Update Services

It is recorded by some of the users of Windows 10 facing this 100% disk usage error on their PCs that it is resolved by disabling the Windows update services. Here is how you can do this.

Run Command
Disable Windows Update Services To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Disable Windows Update Services To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager

Fix 7: Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software

If you have any Antivirus software installed it can also interfere with your hard drive and cause high disk usage issues. Hence, you need to disable it without any fear of the security of your PC as an inbuilt anti-malware application Window Defender keeps the system safe. 

Disable AVAST

Disable Avast To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager

Disable AVG 

Disable Avast To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager
Disable AVG To Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Task manager

Disable Norton Antivirus

Fix 8: Change Energy Options from Balanced to High Performance

It is reported that changing energy options from balanced to high performance fixes the Windows 10 100% disk usage.

Change Energy Options from Balanced to High Performance

Fix 9: Change Settings in Google Chrome and Skype

Many users have reported that changing settings in Google and Skype have resolved the 100% disk usage error on Windows 10. This is how you can do this. 

For Google Chrome: 

Change Settings in Google Chrome and Skype

For Skype:

Change Settings in Google Chrome and Skype
Change Settings in Google Chrome and Skype

Fix 10: Change File Explorer Options

Change File Explorer Options
Change File Explorer Options

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