7 Ways to Fix 99% Disk Usage on Windows | ?

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Sherly 

Written by

Cici 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

Encountering the 99% disk usage issue on Windows can be frustrating. It slows your computer down to a crawl, impacting your productivity. This problem can stem from various reasons, such as background processes, faulty drivers, or malware.

If you're currently stuck with this frustrating bottleneck, don't worry! The tools are here to help you resolve it quickly and effectively. Follow the steps below, and you'll master seven effective ways to tackle the 99% disk usage issue on your Windows system.

Investigate the Reasons Behind 99% Disk Usage on Windows 10/11

First, you need to get detailed information about your disk usage to identify the files or programs that might be causing the 99% disk usage. You can consider using a tool like tools Partition Master Professional with its powerful disk analyzer feature. This tool provides an overall view of your disk partitions and their usage. The disk analyzer helps you visualize the space allocation for different files and applications.

With a disk space analyzer, you can precisely determine how much storage space files and applications take up on your computer. You can run a disk space analyzer on your computer by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the tool to download the latest version of the Partition Master software. Then, install it on your Windows system.

Step 2: Open the installed software and locate the spatial analysis feature. It should be under the "Discover" tab in the left-side panel.

Step 3: Go to the “Select Disk to Analyze” option and choose the target disk. Next, click on “Analyze” to let the software scan and display the detailed usage of the disk space.

Run the Space Analyzer

Following these steps can provide valuable insights into disk space usage, helping to identify the causes of high utilization. With this information, you can take the necessary measures to optimize performance and address the issue of "100% disk usage."

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How to view/check disk storage/usage on Windows 10/11

How to check or view the disk space on your computer or laptop? Learn the easiest ways to see disk usage on Windows PCs and Macs. Read More>>

7 Ways to Fix 99% Disk Usage

After identifying the factors causing high disk usage on your Windows system, it's crucial to address and alleviate the issue. Follow these seven proven methods to reduce disk usage and restore optimal system performance:

1. Method 1: Stop Unnecessary Programs
2. Method 2: Disable Windows Disk Defragmenter
3. Method 3: Clean Up Junk Files and Unwanted Programs
4. Method 4: Check for Malware
5. Method 5: Upgrade to a Newer/Larger Hard Drive
6. Method 6: Disable Superfetch
7. Method 7: Perform a Clean Boot

These steps aim to address various causes, providing a comprehensive approach to fix the disk usage at 99% issue. If you find these solutions helpful, don't forget to share them with others who might need assistance.

Method 1: Close Unnecessary Programs

To address high disk usage, you need to end any unnecessary processes that might be consuming system resources. This will alleviate pressure on your hard drive and lower the overall disk usage. You can do this using the Task Manager by following these steps:

Step 1: Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager." You can also access it directly with the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + Shift + Esc."

Step 2: In Task Manager, go to the Processes tab. This will show you a list of active processes and the resources each is consuming.

Step 3. Look for processes that are taking up a lot of disk usage. Right-click on a specific process and select "End task" to stop it. Be careful not to end any critical system processes.

Click the "End Task" option.

Method 2: Disable the Windows Defragmenter

Disabling the automatic disk defragmentation on Windows can help reduce unnecessary disk activity. This is especially recommended if it runs frequently and causes high disk usage. Here's a step-by-step guide to turning off disk defragmentation in Windows:

Step 1. Press "Win + S" to open the Windows search bar, then search for "Task Scheduler." When you find it, click "Open" to launch it.

Step 2: Click on “Task Library” and navigate to the “Microsoft” folder. Now, click on the “Windows” folder, find the “Defrag” task, and click on it.

Step 3. Click “Disable” on the right side of the Task window. Close the Task Scheduler, and then restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

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Method 3: Clean Up Junk Files and Unwanted Programs

CleanGenius is a feature in the Partition Master toolbox that helps you deal with junk files and unnecessary programs. It efficiently assists in removing junk files and unused programs that might cause high disk usage. With this tool, you can set up automatic cleaning for your computer on a weekly basis. To use CleanGenius to address the issue of 99% disk usage or 100% disk usage, follow these steps:

Step 1: Free download and install Partition Master, and then run it on your Windows computer.

On that page, hover the mouse over “PC Cleaner,” and click the download icon to install and launch the CleanGenius tool.

Step 2. In CleanGenius, tap on “Cleanup” from the main screen, and then tap on “Scan” to start scanning.

Step 3: After the scan, select the unnecessary large files and tap on “Clean” to delete them.

4. When CleanGenius has finished cleaning the selected files, click “Finish” to close the program.

Method 4: Check for Malware

A malware infection can significantly impact system performance, causing high hard drive usage and other issues. It's crucial to conduct a thorough antivirus scan on your system to detect and remove any malicious software.

You can perform a comprehensive scan of your Windows system using a reliable antivirus program. A full system antivirus scan can help identify and remove any malware, thereby alleviating the load on your hard drive and enhancing overall system performance.

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Method 5: Replace the hard drive with a new/larger one

Instead of troubleshooting, consider upgrading your hardware by replacing the hard drive with a newer or larger one to potentially resolve persistent disk usage issues. The tool Partition Master offers a convenient “Clone Disk” feature for this purpose.

It allows you to seamlessly migrate all your data from an existing disk to a new or larger one without risking data loss, giving you a fresh start. This upgrade can address high disk usage issues while providing you with more storage space.

Step 1: Select the source disk.

Click “Clone” from the left menu. Choose “Clone System Disk” or “Clone Data Disk,” then click “Next.” Select the source disk, then click “Next.”

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Select the HDD/SSD you want as the target disk, and click “Next” to continue. Read the warning message and confirm by clicking “Yes.”

Step 3: Review the disk layout and edit the target disk partition sizes as necessary.

When prompted that all data on the target disk will be erased, click “Continue” (make sure to back up any important data on the target disk beforehand).

Here you can choose to “Auto adjust disk size,” “Clone source disk size,” or “Edit disk layout.” (Choose the last option if you want to allocate more space for the C drive.)

Click “Start” to begin the cloning process.

Method 6: Disable Superfetch

Superfetch is a Windows feature that improves system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. However, it can sometimes cause high disk usage. Disabling Superfetch can resolve this issue and optimize your system's efficiency. Follow these steps to disable Superfetch on your computer:

Step 1: First, open the "Run" dialog box by using the "Win + R" key combination. Then, type "services.msc" and press the Enter key.

Step 2. In the Services window, locate the "Superfetch" service from the list. Right-click on it and select "Properties." Change the "Startup type" to "Disabled." Finally, click "Apply" and "OK" to confirm and save the changes.

Method 7: Perform a Clean Boot

A Clean Boot helps determine if a third-party application or service is causing the high disk usage. By disabling nonessential services and startup programs, you isolate the cause of high disk usage, which allows you to identify the problematic software. Here are the steps for a Clean Boot to resolve the "99% Disk Usage" issue:

Step 1: Press "Win+R" on your computer to launch the "Run" feature. Type "msconfig" in the dialog box that appears, then hit "Enter" to access the System Configuration.

Step 2. In the System Configuration window, click on the “Services” tab. Check the box for “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable all” to disable non-Microsoft services.

Step 3. Next, go to the “Startup” tab and select “Open Task Manager.” Here, disable each startup program individually by right-clicking on it and selecting “Disable.” After exiting the Task Manager, select “OK” in the Startup tab to initiate a clean boot of your computer.

Read more: 100% Disk Usage in Task Manager on Windows 10

Why is my disk usage at 99%?

Encountering 99% disk usage can be frustrating, as it affects your system's performance. This is a common scenario:

Several factors could be causing this issue, and understanding these possible reasons is crucial for effective troubleshooting. Here are some potential causes of high disk usage:

• Virus infection: Malware or viruses can cause increased disk activity, leading to high disk usage.
• Hard drive failure: Physical damage or component failure within the hard drive can contribute to increased usage.
• Software corruption: Corrupted or malfunctioning software can excessively use system resources, resulting in high disk usage.
• Unnecessary files and programs: Accumulation of unnecessary files or running extra programs can burden the disk, causing increased usage.
• Misconfigured virtual memory: Incorrect virtual memory settings can lead to more disk activity and high usage rates.
• Multiple programs: Running multiple applications simultaneously can overload the disk, causing high disk usage.

Identifying and addressing these potential causes is crucial for resolving the “99% disk usage” issue. By following the guidelines in this article, you can systematically troubleshoot and resolve the problem, restoring your system's performance to its optimal state.

Conclusion

This guide offers a comprehensive approach to tackling the frustrating 99% disk usage issue on Windows. By following the provided solutions, you can address various causes, optimize performance, and regain control. To effectively manage your disk and solve issues, consider utilizing the Partition Master tool – a recommended utility for efficiently resolving disk-related problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About "99% Disk Usage"

Dealing with persistent high disk usage can be perplexing. If you need more explanations or solutions, refer to these common issues. Feel free to consult this resource for answers and guidance anytime:

< strong > Is 99% disk usage bad? < /strong >

Yes, a 99% disk usage can significantly impact system performance, causing slow responsiveness, application crashes, and overall instability. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring optimal system functioning.

2. Why is my disk usage at 100% with no programs running?

This issue could be due to background processes, system updates, or configuration errors. To resolve it, you can open the Task Manager by pressing the "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" key combination. Here, identify processes with high disk usage and terminate any unnecessary ones.

3. How can I fix a full disk?

To free up space on a full disk, follow these steps:

Start by deleting unnecessary files and programs from your hard drive.

Method Two: Use a disk-cleaning utility, such as CleanGenius, to delete junk files.

Method 3: Move large amounts of data to an external hard drive or cloud storage for better management.