100% Disk Usage on Windows 8.1

Question

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Hi Leo,

Thank you for posting your query in the Microsoft Community forum.

What command prompt troubleshooting have you followed? Are you referring to the System File Checker (SFC) scan?

Bad sectors on the hard drive can be a cause for high disk usage.

Check which process is utilizing the Hard Disk on Windows 8.1, you may try the following steps.

1. Open Task Manager and click on Details tab.
2. Right click the columns headers and click "Select Columns".
3. From the "Select Columns" window, check: I/O Reads, I/O Writes, I/O read bytes, I/O write bytes and then click OK.
4. Now the columns will be added to the view and will display how much each process is utilizing from the hard disk.
5. Sort by I/O read bytes or I/O write bytes by clicking on the column header to see which process is utilizing the Hard Drive most.

If you not run the 'check disk' scan or tried optimizing the drive, follow the steps from this article.

Improve performance by optimizing your drive

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/improve-performance-optimizing-hard-drive

Important: While performing check disk on the hard drive, if any bad sectors are found on the hard drive, it tries to repair that sector and any data available on that might be lost.

Let us know if it helps. If you have further queries, we will be happy to help.

Answer 3

Hello Again,

I did what you said and the services that run or uses the most hard disk is 

• Systems with 72,572,661 in I/O read bytes and 24,401,718 in I/O Write bytes
• 4 different svchost.exe 
• MsMgEng.exe with 30,324,888 in I/O Read bytes and and about 150,000 in I/O write bytes

these services are in the top 10 with the highest numbers and is constantly fluctuating.

when i run command prompt i use "chkdsk" /F, /scan, and /spotfix but none of them seem to find any problems and it doesnt fix the situation and i have already tried to optimize and defrag my disk

this problem started when i updated to windows 8.1 from windows 8 so its not my hard drive i'm sure it is Windows 8.1 itself  

also when i open task manager under "Processes" and "Disk" is at 100% and i click to see what is taking up so much disk space i see

• Systems
• Service Host: Local Service

please help me and give some thoughts on my problem 

Thank You!

Answer 4

Hi Leo,

Follow the steps provided by 'ZigZag3143 (MS - MVP)' to install the Windows Performance Toolkit in order to analyze the issue.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/windows-81-100-disk-usage/390c23b3-8c3e-42d3-a695-a7a220eb84c5

Answer 5

Hello Again,

the link you mentioned by 'ZigZag3143 there is one part i cant do, i dont know how to run the command that he specified in his solution 

I downloaded WPT

Then i know how to run Command Prompt as an admin

but i dont know how to run the specific command that is needed