Disk performing at 100%

I have come across this problem many times - Disk performance at 100%. This disk is only 50%. The computer is soooo slow. How best can I solvecthis problem?
KF

 

Note these are two different things. Disk performance indicates the current activity (reads and writes) or current data transfer rates. This means your disk if very busy reading and writing data. Some times this is normal, other times it could indicate a problem. If, for example, Windows is installing a bunch of updates, that could send disk performance to 100%. After the updates, it should drop back down again. That would be normal. If running security scans, that could push it up again.

What if you just walk away for awhile and let it run? Does it drop back down?

Is the computer fully updated? What are you using for security?

The 50% indicates how full it is. Only 1/2 or 50% full is good. However, you could make sure it is clean of clutter by running CCleaner or Windows own "Disk Cleanup".

 

Thank You for the reply.
Performing at 100% has become a full-time problem. Like 90% of the time.
I am using Kaspersky EndPoint Security 11 for Windows Workstations.

 

Thank You.
Hard disdk degrading - very likely. It is an Optiplex 3020 PC! I will explore this further.

 

Understand hard disk performance degrading does NOT suggest the hard disk is starting to fail.

I recommend you run Error Checking on the drive. Alternatively, from an elevated command prompt (as administrator) run chkdsk /r on the drive. This can take several hours and appear to be locked up. Just let it run until finished. With either option, you may be prompted to reboot so it can run. Follow those prompts too.

 

No particular app is showing exceptionally high %age.

 

This is usually caused by background updates or tasks. Norton, Mcafee and Kaspersky are usually bad for this. They tie up a lot of system resources. Best ditch, and use something lighter. But if this is not the case then try disabling Windows search with "net.exe stop "Windows search"" and use an alternative like "Everything" instead. Windows indexing engine is very slow and resource intensive.

If still nothing, then try disabling sysmain service, and flash in your web browser. It might even be worthwhile checking your drivers are up to date.

 

That was true 20 years ago with XP, but not anymore with W10. Yes, it can eat up resources, but it has been totally re-coded to run way in the back ground when the user is idle and the computer is otherwise just sitting there. And that's a good thing.

The best thing to do with Windows Indexing on W10 is to just let it run until it finishes. Then all it needs to do after that is keep up with changes, and that does not take any resources at all.

 

It's still not very good and it's still a problem if you have network shares or lots of files. Plus, there are better search utilities out there, like Everything and VXsearch.

 

Slow hard drive solution? Replace it with a SSD. Zoom, zoom.

 

Nothing is perfect. You can always come back with a "what if" exception to the norm in an attempt to prove the whole point moot. It won't and your what ifs don't invalidate the facts.

Today's indexing in Windows is not resource intensive. And the vast majority of users don't have network shares.

And sorry, but you are incorrect about "lots of files". As I noted above, the indexing feature in the latest versions of Windows works way in the back ground. "Lots of files" simply means it takes a little longer for the initial indexing of them all. But once indexed, the indexing is done.

While Everything is a decent program, it should be noted it is faster, in part, because it runs at a higher priority (not as far back in the background). That's fine if you do a lot of, and frequent searching for things on your computer. But how many users does that really apply to?

Everything also consumes disk resources for the program itself and for its indexing results. And it consumes additional system resources because it does real-time monitoring for changes. Yes, it is very efficient and the reality is, it consumes very little. But for a program that can be argued is not needed by the vast majority of users, it is still a waste of resources.

And VX Search and WizFile too work in similar ways to Everything.

I am NOT saying the built-in Indexing feature in Windows is the greatest thing since sliced bread or that it is all every user will ever need. It certainly is not! Nor does Microsoft make it out to be! Like other built-in tools in Windows, it is a tool that performs "basic functions" and does such very well - in particular because "basic functions" is all the vast majority of users ever need.

So to be clear here, the point of me replying to your claims is because the built-in Indexing feature is NOT, contrary to your claims, the resource hog you make it out to be.

Are Everything, VX Search and WizFile faster and offer more search options? Yes. But do most users need those extras? No.