Did you update your main computer to Windows 11, only to receive a 100% disk usage error in return? You will feel the PC slowing down in day-to-day tasks. You can go ahead and delete temporary files, but it won’t help much. Instead, you should go ahead and fix 100% disk usage error once and for all. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Use Task Manager
Let’s go through the proven method to fix the absurd amount of disk usage on Windows 11.
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open Task Manager.
Step 2: Select apps and services that are taking too much disk usage and select the End task button at the bottom.
Sometimes, the problem can be much bigger than that, and merely closing apps won’t do the job for you. Go through the other tricks below.
2. Disable Superfetch
Superfetch allows you to decrease boot time and launch apps quickly. While the function is designed to improve performance, it can lead to high disk usage errors.
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys and type services.msc.
Step 2: Select the OK button and open the Services menu.
Step 3: Find SysMain Properties from the list and double-click on it.
Step 4: Select the Stop button and click on OK.
Restart your PC and check disk usage from the Task Manager again.
3. Rebuild Search Index
The search indexing on Windows 11 can result in high disk usage error. You have an option to rebuild the search index on your computer.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for indexing options. Hit Enter and open the menu.
Step 2: Go to the Advanced menu.
Step 3: Select Rebuild and the OS will delete and rebuild the search index.
It may take a while but after some time, you can continue using your PC without any issue.
4. Disable Windows Search
When you search for something using Windows Search, the OS will go through files, folders, and even look for your queries on the web. If you don’t find Windows Search useful, you can disable the function.
Step 1: Open the Services menu on your computer (refer to the second method).
Step 2: Find Windows Search on the list and double-click on it.
Step 3: From Startup type, select Disabled and stop the service.
5. Disable Apps Launching at Startup
When you have too many apps opening at Windows startup, the practice can result in a 100% disk usage error. Follow the steps below to disable such apps.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings (use Windows + I keys).
Step 2: Go to Apps and select Startup.
Step 3: Disable apps that have a high impact on system performance.
6. Delete Temporary Files
We have a detailed post on deleting temporary files on Windows 11. We will showcase a quick method here.
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys and open the Run menu.
Step 2: Type %temp% and hit OK.
Step 3: Delete all the folders from the Temp menu.
7. Disable Scheduled Defragmentation
Microsoft usually runs defragmentation on the hard disk to increase computer performance. However, it can be the prime factor behind 100% disk usage error on PC.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Defragment.
Step 2: Hit Enter and open Optimize Drives menu.
Step 3: Go to Change settings and disable the Run on a schedule option.
8. Update Storage Drivers
Outdated storage drivers can keep the disk in a memory loop and flashes 100% disk usage error on your computer. Let’s update storage drivers from the Device Manager menu. Shall we?
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open the Device Manager menu.
Step 2: Expand the Disk Drivers menu and right-click on HDD or SSD device.
Step 3: Select Update driver and ask Windows to search for the latest drivers from the web.
Once the system completes installing the latest drivers, you can reboot the system and check disk usage in the Task Manager.
9. Run System Scan
Corrupt system files on your PC can end up consuming a large amount of disk usage. It’s time to use Windows Security and remove such files from the PC. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Windows Security.
Step 2: Hit Enter and open the app.
Step 3: Go to Virus & threat protection and run a quick scan on your PC.
You can minimize the app and continue using the PC for your work. Once the scan is complete, you can check which files Windows Security removed during the process.
10. Update Windows 11
A buggy Windows 11 build can mess with disk usage on your computer. Microsoft is already hard at work releasing new Windows 11 builds with bug fixes.
Head to Windows Settings > Windows update and install the latest OS build on your PC.
Enjoy Butter Smooth Performance on Windows 11
There is a lot to like about Microsoft’s latest take on Windows. Errors like 100% disk usage can bog down the whole experience for you. The tricks above will help you shoot down the problem in no time.
