Windows 10: Disk activity is 99% or higher almost all the time

Over the last few months, I've had more and more problems with "Not responding" on the programs I am running. (I have a Dell 5559 laptop running Windows 10.) I've gotten in the habit of having Task Manager running all the time and whenever the computer slows to a crawl, I look at Task Manager. In the vast majority of the cases, the slowdown coincides with Disk Activity of 99 or 100%. This happens a LOT! I've been told I'm a very patient person but waiting 5 and 10 and even 15 minutes for a click to be acted upon is more than I can take. I'm using a different computer to post this question because it would take the rest of the morning to do this on the ailing computer.

How can I determine the cause of the problem? I thought I might be in need of a defrag because I hadn't initiated one since I got the computer but Windows 10 apparently defaults to a weekly defrag and I was only 2% fragmented before I ran the defrag. The hard drive is 1 TB in size and is NOT full; the amount of free space on the C: is 80+GB and much more on the data partition. Could the drive itself be failing after just two years?

:)

 

Why my disk usage is almost 100 % all the time ?

Hi Christian, I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year WIndows MVP here to help you.

There's a fix here that's working for some:
https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-100-pe...

If that doesn't help then what I would do if you haven't yet is manually install Fall Creator Version 1709 by installing Media Creation Tool and choosing to Upgrade Now.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... This the most stable method to upgrade to the new version (which you need anyway) and will bring you fully up to date with reinstalled Windows that often will solve any other problems you have.

If there are problems with the new version then you can roll it back and hide it with the Hide Updates tool to wait for it to mature more:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/rollback-uninstal...

Hide Updates Tool:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930

Otherwise go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

But remember that Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as
long as you stick with the tools and methods given:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Refresh that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest:

https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

 

Why my disk usage is almost 100 % all the time ?

Is this a sudden, new problem or...?

What Version & OS Build of Windows 10 is currently installed?

• Press & hold the Windows Key and press the R key. In the RUN dialog, type WINVER and press the Enter key.

 

I would like to have you run a Clean Boot.

How to perform a Clean Boot.

Warning: Disabling items in Services or Startup may leave your anitivirus disabled until the process is ended. For this reason I would suggest that you perform this process off line.

Press the

keys to open Run, then type msconfig in the search box. This will open System Configuration.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should enter the password or provide confirmation.

(1) Click/tap on the General tab.

(2) Click/tap on the Selective startup option.

(3) Remove the check mark in the Load startup items check box.





4. Click on the Services tab.

5. Place a check mark in the Hide all Microsoft services check box, this will remove the Microsoft Services from the list but will still be running.

6. Click Disable all, this will remove all of the check marks in the Services list.





7. Click on Apply then OK





Click on Restart in the window that opens.

When the computer is restarted it will boot normally.

If the problem does not continue after the restart please do the following.

8. Divide the number of these services by two and you place checks in the first half of these, then restart the computer.

9. If the problem doesn't return in those services remove the checks and place checks in the remaining services and restart the computer.

10. When you find which half the service is in go on to the next step.

11. The half which has the service causing this problem remove half of the checks as you did previously to see which half has this service. Restart the computer.

12. If it isn't in the first half of these services, do the same with the last half of the services.

13. Once you have narrowed it down to the last three or four services remove the checks one at a time till you find the service at fault.

Once you have found the service post it in your topic. Do not take any action until I suggest the next step.