The latest modifications of the Windows OS seem to be optimized for working on a suitable computer hardware, nevertheless, quite often you can observe problems associated with an unjustifiably high percentage of access to the hard drive. The "Task Manager" gives 100 percent of the device’s load for a reason, and a huge number of system services and user applications can access the hard drive itself at the same time. With programs that the user installed independently, problems are usually not observed. They just need to be completed. But even after that, in the loading column of the “Task Manager” disk, Windows displays 100 percent or 99 anyway. Not everyone knows what to do about this, especially since some system processes cannot be completed not only due to lack of rights, but also because emergency shutdown of some services can lead to unstable operation of the entire computer device. But some actions can still be taken.
In the "Task Manager" the disk is 100 percent used. What does this mean and what is the reason?
To begin with, we briefly dwell on the causes of this phenomenon. In the simplest sense, the value of disk utilization at the level of 100 percent or a little lower indicates precisely that some services, applications are currently accessing it, or active processes are working with the data stored on it. Apparently, this is already understandable. But here, the main reasons for the excessive loading of the disk (in the “Task Manager” 100 percent is constantly displayed, and the value even after some time does not decrease), the following are distinguished:
- Looping search and indexing services
- Active SuperFetch
- downloading files to the disk (and system updates, and software updates, and information downloaded by the user);
- included background diagnostics of the system;
- print service hangs;
- the presence of not fully started startup items (when you turn on the computer);
- Performing synchronization with cloud storage
- fragmented or failed hard drive;
- increased viral activity.
In the "Task Manager" the disk is 100 percent loaded: we stop searching and indexing
According to most experts, the main culprit of what is happening is precisely the looped search, as well as its accompanying component in the form of an indexing service designed to speed up the search. These active ingredients must be disposed of first.
First, you need to stop the search itself by running the command console on behalf of the administrator and performing a net stop “Windows Search” combination (with quotation marks, as shown in the example).
After that, you need to call the services management section (the services.msc command in the Run menu), find the Windows Search component there, double-click to edit the parameters, click the process stop button, set the disabled state in the startup type, and then save the changes.
Note: indexing in the services section should be disabled only if deactivating the search does not give a result.
Do I need to disable the SuperFetch service?
Disk loading (100%) in the "Task Manager" can be determined by another characteristic service for all recent OS, called SuperFetch (former system component of Prefetcher). In general, it is believed that this service contributes to system performance, but on older PCs and laptops it can lead to excessively high access to the hard drive.
It can be disabled in the same way as indexing, using the services section described above.
What to do with system and application updates?
When you see disk loading (100%) in the "Task Manager" of Windows 10, you can rest assured that they can currently download updates to the system itself. Previously, all the services of the Update Center could be completely disabled, but after installing the latest updates it became impossible to do this. In other words, even if you deactivate all services in the corresponding section, updates will still be installed.
Alternatively, in the update settings through the options menu, you can change the period of activity or delay their installation by 35 days. It also does not hurt to uncheck the search and install updates for other programs from Microsoft (for example, the same "Office"). If you have apps from the Store installed, sign in with your Microsoft account and turn off automatic updates.
How to remove excessive loads from the System process?
You can often observe that in the “Task Manager” the disk is 100% loaded due to the access to the processes located in the System section.
In this case, you need to expand the list of processes, find the ntoskrnl.exe kernel component in it, go to the file location through RMB, add access rights to yourself, marking as “ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES” as a group.
Disable diagnostic system tracking and virtual memory
If the above methods do not work, and for the disk, 100 percent in the "Task Manager" in the form of a constant value and "hang", but the above services are inactive? It may well be that background diagnostics are currently working. To deactivate it, again use the command line in the administrator's start mode and, in turn, execute two commands (without punctuation marks at the end of each of them):
- sc config "DiagTrack" start = disabled;
- sc stop "DiagTrack".
If this also does not work, run the tools for troubleshooting performance problems in the command console by typing the combination msdt.exe / id PerformanceDiagnostic.
It also does not hurt to check the status of virtual memory (swap file). First, make sure that its size is set to automatic system selection.
You can also set the parameters in the recommended block. In general, try to “play around” with the values you set, but set them at the level of RAM or higher, as some “wise guys” advise. In this case, the system will begin to slow down even more.
Print Service and Startup Items
As additional measures, you can advise you to disable the print service (Spooler), using the services section (for example, if you do not need a printer at all).
If this does not work, deactivate all print-related items in the Windows Programs and Features section. But if you need to use a printer, you can reboot the system and then enable the service again.
It also does not hurt to disable unused startup items that run with the system. In the tenth and eighth modifications, this can be done directly in the "Task Manager", and versions 7 and below - in the system configuration (msconfig). Pay special attention to all sorts of software or add-on updaters like Flash Player.
Feasibility of synchronizing with cloud services
If you directly synchronize the data on the hard disk with cloud services at the start of the system and special programs are installed for the storages themselves, it is better to disable synchronization in them, since these processes are relatively slow on machines with a small bandwidth of the Internet channel can cause very serious loads (and not only on the hard drive, but also on the CPU or RAM).
Defragment and check disk
Another reason for this phenomenon is the “throwing” of the system in search of some necessary fragment on the disk. If you didn’t perform defragmentation for a long time, take the time to optimize the disk. This will significantly reduce the time spent searching, and at the same time will remove the load on the disk itself.
It is also recommended to check the disk itself, but it’s better to use not the standard tool, but the command line ( chkdsk / x / f / r). When you try to check the system partition, you may be prompted to execute it at the next restart. It is worth accepting and rebooting the system.
Actions with torrents
But lovers of using torrent clients very often forget that after the download is complete, the distribution of downloaded content is still active. In this case, it is strongly recommended that you close the program by exiting through the menu of the icon hidden in the system tray. If there is a need for distribution, as an option, set a limit on the return in the application itself.
Viruses
Finally, do not forget that some viruses can also provoke the appearance of excessive loads associated with constant access to the hard drive. Perform an in-depth check of all disks and partitions using any popular portable utility (Dr. Web CureIt, KVRT, AdwCleaner, AVZ, etc.).