HP Notebook - 15-db0015dx running Windows 10 having a 100% Disk usage problem.

[wandoqebu]

I am incredibly agitated and am finally turning to here for help.

I got this laptop about 2ish years ago and it’s run fine ever since (not as well as my older Lenovo but that’s another matter entirely). Recently, I’ve been having a near crippling issue where my performance is laughably slow, typing in Final Draft or even Word is painful to say the least. I checked Task Manager and my disk usage is almost always at 95-100%. I don’t know much about computers but I know that can’t be good.

I’ve tried updating the computer multiple times, I’ve run disk checks, disabled Windows Search, disabled all non necessary start up functions, tried wiping virtual memory, disabled superfetch, and am now running what feels like my 5th full malware scan to try and clear this up.

I have 8gb of RAM installed (7.9 usable) so I don’t think that has anything to do with it. It’s a 1TB HD (i think?) so there’s no reason at all the disk should be full (most of my documents and big files are cloud based for work).

Anything I can do short of just saving up and buying a new laptop?

[Raj_05]

Hi @wandoqebu,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Experiencing 100% disk usage on a Windows 10 laptop like the HP Notebook 15-db0015dx can be frustrating and can lead to sluggish performance. There are several common reasons for this issue, and I'll provide some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve it.

Check Task Manager:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager.
• Go to the "Processes" tab and check which processes are consuming the most disk resources. Note if any specific application or service is causing the issue.

Disable Superfetch and Windows Search:

• Superfetch and Windows Search can sometimes cause high disk usage. To disable them:
  • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  • Find "Superfetch," right-click it, and select "Properties." Change the startup type to "Disabled."
  • Do the same for "Windows Search."

Update Device Drivers:

• Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to disk usage problems. Update your device drivers, especially the disk and storage controller drivers.

Windows Updates:

• Ensure that Windows is up to date with the latest updates and patches. Sometimes, updates can improve system performance.

Check for Malware:

• Run a full system scan with a reliable antivirus program to make sure your system isn't infected with malware.

Disable Background Apps:

• Disable unnecessary background apps by going to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turning off the apps you don't need running in the background.

Check for Third-Party Software:

• Some third-party software, especially security suites and backup software, can cause high disk usage. Try disabling or uninstalling them temporarily to see if it makes a difference.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings:

• You can try adjusting the virtual memory settings:
  • Right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer" and select "Properties."
  • Click on "Advanced system settings."
  • Under the "Advanced" tab, click "Settings" in the "Performance" section.
  • Go to the "Advanced" tab in the new window and click "Change" under Virtual Memory. Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" and set a custom size.

Check for Hardware Issues:

• Sometimes, a failing or corrupted hard drive can cause high disk usage. You may want to run diagnostic tests on your hard drive to check for issues.

Reset or Reinstall Windows:

• If none of the above solutions work, you may consider resetting or reinstalling Windows. This should be a last resort and requires backing up your data first.

Keep in mind that disk usage can also depend on the specific applications and files you have on your system. It's a good practice to regularly clean up unnecessary files and uninstall programs you no longer use. Additionally, upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly improve disk performance.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4
HP Support