Windows 8 slow, 100% disk usage Solved

Question

Hello everyone!

I'm writing on the forum to ask for help: I'm going crazy, I can't figure out what's going on, but for the past few days my computer has become "slow" and it's lagging intermittently.

When I check the task manager, I see that disk usage varies between 10% and 100% every ten seconds, even though no "heavy" software is running.

I've run plenty of scans with Ccleaner, Spybot, etc... they've fixed a few errors but nothing works, my PC is still just as slow.

For your information, it's a DELL Vostro i3 3110M @ 2.40GHz 2GB RAM.

Thanks for any help that will be welcome!

Anthony.

windows8.1 · Accepted Answer

In fact, the answer is quite simple.
It's the "superfetch" service that is causing the problem.
Indeed, it is responsible for the extreme disk usage on Windows 8 because it performs an optimization task that is only beneficial if you have an SSD.
Enabled by default, this service can be easily disabled:

- run: services.msc

- in the list, find "superfetch"

- disable it and then reboot

If the service reactivates automatically, there’s a trick on the web

Does this resolve the issues?

akadev · Answer

Hello,

If intermittently, heating problem?

Run a CPU temperature monitoring program or simply remove the dust from the fan. Or avoid blocking the air vent of the fan (e.g., using a laptop on a bed)

Thierry
Akadev

------------------------------------------------
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Online match 3 game on Windows 8:
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Gobaar · Answer

The PC is recent and it is placed on a desk, I don't think it's a problem of temperature or dust.

Gobaar · Answer

Up !

tanteelise · Answer

Hello,

uninstall Spybot, it is outdated and useless.

do this:

download and install Malwarebytes:

https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/securite/14361-malwarebytes-anti-malware/

uncheck: try Malwarebytes Pro during installation

update it
perform a complete disk scan
delete everything it might find
restart
attach the report after deletion here in your reply.

best regards

--
"The little I know, I owe to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry)
No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Ok, I'm starting the scan. I'll post the report as soon as the examination is finished!

Gobaar · Answer

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Trial) 1.75.0.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2013.10.11.04

Windows 8 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16688
Anthony :: ULTRACYCLES [administrator]

Protection: Disabled

11/10/2013 14:39:02
mbam-log-2013-10-11 (14-39-02).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|W:\|X:\|)
Enabled scan options: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristic/Extra | Heuristic/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Disabled scan options: P2P
Item(s) scanned: 400810
Elapsed time: 57 minute(s), 31 second(s)

Memory processes detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory modules detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry key(s) detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry value(s) detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry data item(s) detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder(s) detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

File(s) detected: 1
C:\AdwCleaner\Quarantine\C\Users\Anthony\AppData\Local\Bundled software uninstaller\bi_client.exe.vir (PUP.Optional.Somoto.A) -> Successfully quarantined and removed.

(end)

tanteelise · Answer

Download and run this:  http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner  You put the report in your response, after deletion.  Best regards.   -- "What little I know, I owe to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

# AdwCleaner v3.007 - Report created on 11/10/2013 at 15:45:19 # Updated on 09/10/2013 by Xplode # Operating system: Windows 8 (64 bits) # Username: Anthony - ULTRACYCLES # Run from: C:\Users\Anthony\Downloads\adwcleaner (1).exe # Option: Clean  ***** [ Services ] *****   ***** [ Files / Folders ] *****   ***** [ Shortcuts ] *****   ***** [ Registry ] *****   ***** [ Browsers ] *****  -\ Internet Explorer v10.0.9200.16688   -\ Google Chrome v30.0.1599.69  [ File: C:\Users\Anthony\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]   *************************  AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [4247 bytes] - [11/10/2013 10:41:24] AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [906 bytes] - [11/10/2013 15:44:27] AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [3756 bytes] - [11/10/2013 10:42:23] AdwCleaner[S1].txt - [828 bytes] - [11/10/2013 15:45:19]  ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S1].txt - [887 bytes] ##########

tanteelise · Answer

I suppose the computer is still just as slow? Have you uninstalled Spybot?  -- "The little I know is thanks to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No answers after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Yes, I uninstalled it.

tanteelise · Answer

Is it still a drag?  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Yes, always!

tanteelise · Answer

download and install:

https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/utilitaires/5647-ccleaner/

run the cleaner and registry. For the registry, repeat the process multiple times until it finds nothing more.

then, go to the tab: tools - startup and disable everything that is not necessary, except for your antivirus.

--
"The little I know, I owe to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry)
Absence of responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

I already have Ccleaner and I have cleaned everything, I have disabled as many applications as possible at startup.

tanteelise · Answer

and?  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses available from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Nothing at all! I have no idea where my problem comes from!

tanteelise · Answer

I'm sorry, I don't know, wait for other opinions ...  -- "The little I know is due to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) Absence of responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Thank you anyway for your help!

tanteelise · Answer

You're welcome :) Good luck.  -- "The little I know is thanks to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tonton sebastien · Answer

Hello  "The PC is recent and is placed on a desk, I don’t think it’s a problem of temperature or dust."  Did you do all the updates and restart the PC? http://www.windows8facile.fr/windows-8-verifier-disponibilite-mises-jour/  Can you do that already and let me know what happens? Do you have an Acer as a PC? Or not?  Also, take a look at this tutorial, it's pretty good in my opinion, especially for PCs with manufacturer pre-installed Windows: https://lecrabeinfo.net/desinstaller-les-logiciels-inutiles-pre-installes-sur-un-pc-neuf.html  "Back around 8:00 PM"

Gobaar · Answer

I am currently updating via Windows Update, it is a DELL.

Gobaar · Answer

All updates have been made, but it's still lagging!

akadev · Answer

Have you tried the msconfig command and disabled all startup programs?

Gobaar · Answer

I have disabled quite a few programs, do you think I can disable "everything"?

akadev · Answer

A priori, yes, all the programs (not the services, be careful), but obviously what you have disabled will no longer launch at startup, which can be troublesome. If it solves the problem (which is not certain at all), re-enable the essential programs one by one while testing each time.

Generally speaking, you should consider when it starts to lag: completely randomly, after certain commands, programs, ... does it stop lagging once it has started or is it continuous?

Good luck!

akadev · Answer

Could it be the antivirus that launches a scan on its own at certain times?  Is the system a Windows provided originally? Which version? Since you only have 2 GB, it might just be the disk swap that is slowing it down...

Gobaar · Answer

It's a Windows 8 that came with the PC, and in fact, it's constantly lagging; as soon as the PC starts, the windows take ages to open or close. Do you think it's a RAM issue?

akadev · Answer

With Windows 8 and windows that take so long to open from the start, it shouldn’t be a problem of insufficient RAM.  If I were you, I would try the following Windows 8 command: Charms bar (Windows key + c) / Settings / Change PC settings  Then in the General section: there is the command Refresh your PC without affecting your files  Have you tried it?

Gobaar · Answer

What is surprising is that the usage percentage does not match the sum of the percentages of the programs: http://imagik.fr/view-rl/52009

akadev · Answer

yes, it's curious

Gobaar · Answer

up! Does anyone have solutions? Thank you!

akadev · Answer

What did the command return? "Refresh your PC without affecting the files"

Gobaar · Answer

It's giving me an error, unable to update your system... I'm going crazy...

tonton sebastien · Answer

Hey can you give me the exact model of your PC, please? and also let me know which antivirus is installed, I don't think you answered that?

Gobaar · Answer

This is a DELL VOSTRO 3650, and I have the basic antivirus provided with Windows Defender.

Gobaar · Answer

I am sharing a link with my Performance graphs: http://imagik.fr/view-rl/52075

akadev · Answer

If I were in that situation, I would back up my data (or check my backup) and reformat. Of course, I would need to reinstall everything...

tonton sebastien · Answer

you only have 2 gigabytes of RAM on this PC :-( wait, I'm going to take a look! system restore isn't working?  your PC wasn't lagging at first, try using a restore point (if Windows has created any) https://www.commentcamarche.net/informatique/windows/147-restaurer-windows-avec-les-points-de-restauration/ have you done all the updates and restarted the machine? malware and adware didn't detect anything, but that doesn't mean anything, we need to push the diagnosis, I think Aunt Elise is better at this than me for diagnostics?

Gobaar · Answer

I don't know why, but Windows won't restore the system, even in safe mode, it doesn't work. I think I'm going to back everything up and reinstall everything, no choice...

tonton sebastien · Answer

Did you create your recovery media to reinstall? :-) If so, you are one of the few who did +10 ;-)
You should have access to this Dell tool on your PC:
Image Restore Method for Windows 8 (Dell Backup & Recovery)

Gobaar · Answer

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that, I'm going to back up my data and try it!

tonton sebastien · Answer

ok you have the option: You will be prompted to save your files, if necessary, select the option Yes, save my personal files keep us posted if it works, because on Asus, they are not capable of making functional support, even when they are the ones who manufacture and sell it!? I am eagerly awaiting the release of Windows 8.1, I can already imagine the chaos :-)

Gobaar · Answer

Well, I've tried everything and it's not working! It says that a file could not be loaded and that it can't restore factory data... Long live Dell PCs! This is the last time I buy something online...

tanteelise · Answer

Re,  Download here: Junkware Removal Tool  !!! Do not click on Download !!!, just wait for the download window to appear for confirmation  Save this file to your desktop.  Close all your browsers  On XP, double-click the icon and press a key when prompted. On Vista/7/8, right-click and Run as administrator.  NB: The desktop will disappear for a moment, this is normal.  Let the program work, do not touch anything  Post the report generated at the end of the analysis.  Tutorial: http://hackinginterdit.blogspot.fr/2013/02/junkware-removal-tool.html  Best regards  -- "The little I know, it is thanks to my ignorance that I owe it" (Sacha Guitry) No responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Outil de suppression de junkware (JRT) par Thisisu Version : 6.0.4 (10.06.2013:1) OS : Windows 8 x64 Exécuté par Anthony le 12/10/2013 à 12:51:30,34 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     ~~~ Services    ~~~ Valeurs de registre    ~~~ Clés de registre  Supprimé avec succès : [Clé de registre] HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\InternetRegistry\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3027408112-2255727695-3350152873-1001\Software\SweetIM    ~~~ Fichiers    ~~~ Dossiers  Supprimé avec succès : [Dossier] "C:\Users\Anthony\appdata\local\cre"    ~~~ Les journaux du visionneur d'événements ont été nettoyés      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Le scan a été complété le 12/10/2013 à 13:01:57,38 Fin du journal JRT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

tanteelise · Answer

Re,

not much…

I’m increasingly thinking it’s a faulty component, though I don’t know which one.
I imagine your computer is still under warranty? If so, send it back for repair.

“The little I know, I owe to my ignorance” (Sacha Guitry)
No replies after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Great, I'm going to have fun with Dell's customer service!! =)

tanteelise · Answer

you can still try this:  start the pc in safe mode, command prompt and type this:  sfc /scannow    -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tonton sebastien · Answer

try to do the restoration (and the recovery key or DVD at the same time) in safe mode, without internet connection?
It's exactly what I was saying, there's not a manufacturer that makes a valid restoration system on OEMs, except perhaps to have the corresponding DVD?
As I said, Asus made the reinstallation media, but they realized it wasn't operational, they provide a patch to create the USB key, but those who managed to make it can't start the procedure, for those who can, it's just luck :-(

All the customer services are INCOMPETENT in this matter, it makes you wonder about their level or their use of Windows 8?! At Asus, I was the one who taught them that it was impossible to make system recovery DVDs and that their software to create them was incompatible with Windows 8.
Anyway, to be continued, with Windows 8.1 :-(

otherwise, this good advice ---------> back to sender

Gobaar · Answer

Return to sender, yeah, but make sure I find a replacement PC... because in my opinion, the customer service must be incredibly slow!

Gobaar · Answer

How do I cancel chkdsk and return to Windows?

tanteelise · Answer

try CTRL ALT DEL and if that doesn't work, there's no other way than to shut it down forcefully...

--
"The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry)
No replies after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Every time it restarts, it triggers a chkdsk; can't we cancel it?

tanteelise · Answer

try to start in safe mode, command prompt.  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tanteelise · Answer

regedit    -- "The little I know is due to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) Absence of responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

I can't restart anymore... it shows me an error message: Your PC couldn't start properly error code 0xc0000001.

tanteelise · Answer

yes, the risks when you have to stop the disk check... is it a laptop?  unplug the power cord disconnect the battery press the power button for 30 seconds  plug everything back in and try again.  -- "The little I know, I owe to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Yes, it is a mobile phone.

tanteelise · Answer

So try the manipulation mentioned above.  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses will be given from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

It doesn't matter... I hate computers!

tanteelise · Answer

I think your hard drive is dead, you only have the after-sales service left...  --  "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

Gobaar · Answer

Super, before all these manipulations it was working, albeit slowly, but at least I had access to Windows. Moreover, it's my company's PC! I'm going crazy!

tanteelise · Answer

Sorry, but stopping the disk check still carries risks, that's exactly why I asked you to wait. But since it was clearly stuck, you had no choice.   -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No answers will be given from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tanteelise · Answer

try restarting from time to time, you might get the "repair" screen  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses from 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tanteelise · Answer

try also starting by pressing the CTRL key and tapping F11 at the same time.  Could I please have a response? Thank you  -- "The little I know, I owe it to my ignorance" (Sacha Guitry) No responses after 5-6 PM, thank you for your understanding :)

tonton sebastien · Answer

ow ow ow!!! no patience, we're coming back, you broke everything :-( completely shut down your computer (with the button, anyway, you have no choice?) you restart, press Shift + F8 immediately to see if you have access to the repair screen? so, is it a Windows 8 Pro that you have? I don't have that ISO in stock? I'll check that? You'll need access to another PC to download!

Gobaar · Answer

I tried all the tricks and none of them work... I'm going to send the PC back to customer service, I have no other choice.

tigna · Answer

Hello everyone!

I don't have solutions, but I just wanted to share my experience to provide some insights.

I have the exact same problem; my disk is at 100% usage three-quarters of the time. I've noticed while browsing the web that this is a common issue with many antivirus programs. I'm using the built-in antivirus from Windows 8, and indeed, it's taking up most of my disk resources, along with the mysterious indicator "system" (I say mysterious because I wonder what exactly it refers to, and saying it refers to the system doesn't help answer my question).
This isn't my first reinstallation of Windows 8, and it hasn't solved the problem.
My disk isn't failing; it worked perfectly well with Windows 7 and still works very well with my version of Windows Vista (Pro) installed in dual boot.
I believe the issue stems from a compatibility problem between antivirus programs and Windows 8.
I don't have more information; perhaps this will help someone more experienced find a solution.

super-aless2000 · Answer

Hello, I have exactly the same problem as the author, I just installed Windows 8.1 Pro and after 2 days of use, I started having this issue... As soon as I try to launch a game BAM the hard drive goes crazy and runs at 100% :( While everything was working fine on Windows 7!  Thank you for your help :D

super-aless2000 · Answer

And here is my setup just in case Case? Corsair Carbide 300R RAM? 8GB Kingston HyperX 1600MHz CL9 Cooler? Scythe Ninja 3 Rev. B CPU? Intel Core i5-4670K (4.2GHz) :drool: GPU? Gainward GeForce GTX 770 Phantom 4GB OC (1260/3800MHz) Motherboard? MSI Z87-G43 Monitor? Acer 24" LED - G246HLBbid Hard Drive? 1TB Western Digital

Dôkô · Answer

Same issue with my i7. Brand new PC... since the last updates, my Disk is at 100% in the manager and sometimes it crashes... I'm on Win 8 too.

afturgurglux · Answer

solution : get rid of Windows 8, reinstall Windows 7! or buy an SSD for the system

kalmfox9 · Answer

Salut les gars, après avoir cherché toute la soirée sur différents forums, j'ai trouvé un point commun : toutes les personnes avaient Open Office. Pour ma part, je l'ai supprimé et depuis, plus rien, je ne suis plus à 100 pour cent. Je vous conseille de regarder, même si je pense que personne ne verra mon message avant un bon moment, mdr.

FadaRing · Answer

Hi,  I have this problem, and I don't have OpenOffice. If you type "windows 8 disk access 100" into Google, you'll see there's a ton of results, a lot of forums discussing it, on many different computers with various configurations... but the thing is, without any process being declared (or anything running to justify this usage), the disk regularly spikes to 100%... it particularly struggles with certain programs, personally it can’t stand Steam (which is annoying...), but even when Steam isn't launched, it still happens to me; the startup is getting worse and worse, even though I have a gaming PC.  For me, the only common point is Windows 8 itself. I think I’m going to switch back to 7...

Aiden D Raymond Jr. · Answer

Disable the automatic defragmentation of the hard drive.. Windows 8 automatically performs a defragment.. right-click on partition C .. hardware tab and defrag .. then disable automatic defragmentation.

personne777 · Answer

Hello I think the problem comes from the Windows Update process that you can stop in the Task Manager. It is located in one of the Windows group processes, and the percentage of disk usage is abnormally high. Click on it to expand, and you will find this Windows Update process. For my part, this helped bring my gamer PC back to normal, but I think I will have to stop this process each time I restart. You can try to see if this works for you and others in the same situation.

akres · Answer

I also have this problem. A week ago, I first struggled to turn it on (one night -_-) and then a blue screen appeared telling me to repair the backups or something like that. Then I thought it was a strong enough virus for my antivirus (Kaspersky Pure 3.0) not to notice it. So, I ran a check... NOTHING! I was lucky to have a backup point from the week before. Since then, my computer jumps to 100% every 5 minutes, but it's manageable. However, I would like to do something about it! Thank you for your responses.

geek2lux · Answer

If I can add something Install Windows 7 for me. I have an Asus PC with an iCore 3, 4 gigabytes of RAM, and it came with Windows 8, which was a mess. But after installing Windows 7, I rediscovered my PC.

viellefrite · Answer

Install Malwarebytes Premium

viellefrite · Answer

If it doesn't work at all, the only solution is to turn off the PC, turn it back on while tapping F9, and reinstall Windows either completely or by keeping your data.

geek2lux · Answer

Disable updates (Windows Update) see photo

danilou22 · Answer

Listen, I just found out something since I reinstalled W8: I no longer have any programs like Spybot, Malwarebytes, etc., except for CCleaner to empty the recycle bin and free Avast. My PC hasn't lagged for 4 months.

sea4surf · Answer

This post is dated, but oh well...  Actually, I advise you to look at the .NET Framework updates that run an optimization software called NGEN after the update.  Even Microsoft says so! https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2570538 _>This can freeze the PC for several days with HDD and/or CPU at 100% until the task is finished, even causing BSODs on older machines due to resource saturation.  To speed it up manually, use Run / cmd.exe (as administrator): On a computer that is running a 32-bit Windows operating system %windir%\microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319
gen.exe update /force /queue On a computer that is running a 64-bit Windows operating system %windir%\microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319
gen.exe update /force /queue %windir%\microsoft.net\framework64\v4.0.30319
gen.exe update /force /queue -> Of course, the version number should be replaced in the path with the appropriate value.  It's a known issue under Win7. I thought they had fixed it in W8/8.1/10, apparently not...   Hop hop good luck ;)

LOLO · Answer

Haut

jak12210 · Answer

Hello,

To anyone still experiencing this issue, I simply recommend Windows 7^^
I had exactly the same problem with my brand new PC (1 week old), and I just finished reinstalling (drivers, Windows etc...), and I must say that the difference is striking, the computer is running perfectly now!

Windows 8 slow, 100% disk usage

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