Having the disk usage stuck at 100 around the clock is the last thing that people want to experience while using their computer. Needless to say, disk active time 100 is the topic of a lot of complaints about Windows OS. With the disk usage maxed out, the performance of Windows computers is going to suffer. On the bright side, if you know what must be done, you could return disk usage to normal.
A Few Fixes
Disable SuperFetch Service
SuperFetch service is responsible for reducing the boot time of your system. To do so, SuperFetch tracks and manages the files that need to be loaded at various times during the boot process. However, the service usually results in the fluctuation of system performance and creates disk performance issues. Thus, if you like to decrease disk usage, you should disable SuperFetch.
- Step 1: Type cmd in the Search bar, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Step 2: Click Yes to accept the UAC prompt, type the following command and hit Enter
- net.exe stop superfetch
- Step 3: Wait for a bit then check the computer’s disk usage by opening Task Manager. If the Disk percentage is no longer 100% then the problem is solved.
Run Check Disk
- Step 1: Type cmd in the Search bar, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Step 2: Click Yes to accept the UAC prompt, type the following command and hit Enter
- chkdsk.exe /f /r
- Step 3: Type Y to confirm and make sure to close all applications.
- Step 4: After the completion of the check, open Task Manager and see how things turn out.
Reset Virtual Memory
Virtual memory allows computer users to compensate for shortages of physical memory by moving some of the data on RAM to Hard disk. That being said, it may also contribute to disk active time issues. Thus, once it comes to disk active time 100, you should reset virtual memory.
- Step 1: Press Windows + Pause Break, select Advanced System Settings and pick Settings under Performance in Advanced tab.
- Step 2: In Advanced tab, hit Change… in Virtual memory and uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Step 3: Choose your drive then set both the initial and the maximum size for virtual memory as given in the recommended category. Click OK after you finish.
- Step 4: Press Windows + R, type temp and hit enter. Afterward, proceed to delete all files
- Step 5: Open Task Manager, select Processes, and check the percentage at the top of the disk column.
Repair StorAHCI.sys Driver
If none of the above addresses your disk usage problem, there is a chance that your StorAHCI.sys driver may be responsible. For your information, a firmware bug related to that driver often messes up the usage of the disk. If you repair the StorAHCI.sys driver, the disk usage is going to drop.
- Step 1: Press Windows + X key, choose Device Manager and expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
- Step 2: Double-click AHCI, navigate to Driver tab and select Driver Details.
Note: If you see StorACHI.sys in the path of the system32 folder, your PC is using the inbox AHCI driver in your system.
- Step 3: Close Driver Details, go to the Details tab, open the drop-down menu, select Device Instance path and note down everything after VEN_ under Value.
- Step 4: Type regedit in the Search bar, Hit enter to open Registry Editor and navigate to the directory: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI\ <AHCI Controller>\<Random Number>\Device Parameters\Interrupt Management\MessageSignaledInterruptProperties
- Step 5: Double click MSISupported key, change the value to 0 and restart your computer.
How Do I Install SATA Drivers?
SATA acts as a lifeline for major parts of data transfers throughout your system. It also keeps its drivers updated so it keeps functioning at its optimal performance.
- Step 1: Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Step 2: Expand the Storage controllers.
- Step 3: Right-click each of the controllers and select Update driver.
- Step 4: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software” and hit Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer option.
- Step 5: Select Standard AHCI Controller then restart your PC.
What Must Be Done To Activate High-Performance Mode?
Want to improve your computer’s performance? In that case, feel free to enable the high-performance mode.
- Step 1: Press Windows + X and select Power Options.
- Step 2: Go to Power & sleep screen option and select Additional power settings.
- Step 3: Choose High Performance and click OK.
Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.
