Disk usage constantly at 100%

[Justin8462]

Even when idling, my disk usage is at 100%, and it's impossible to download any steam games. I have 200gb free (1tb hdd,) I spent 3 hours of my life defragging the PC and nothing changed.

 

[Justin8462]

Also, my specs:

Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 6700HQ @ 2.60GHz 52 °C
Skylake 14nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0H0CC0 (U3E1)
Graphics
HP 20bw (1600x900@60Hz)
Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics 530 (Dell)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (Dell) 51 °C
ForceWare version: 372.70
SLI Disabled
Storage
931GB Seagate ST1000LM014-1EJ164 (SATA) 41 °C
Optical Drives
No optical disk drives detected
Audio
Logitech G430 Gaming Headset

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello.... 1) Sometimes Malware can trigger this... a "Simple Test" for a internet based process is accessing your drive is to un-plug your internet cable from the computer...

2) OR you can go to Task manager-Performance-Resource monitor-Disk and look at the process that is using the drive.

3) Shutting off auto updating to your installed APPS can also reduce internet and Disk activity at times you want to use your computer.

4) OR right click MY Computer-Manage-Task scheduler check your "Task scheduler items" and see if they are set to run during your operating times... they can be removed/deleted or edited for a more convenient time.

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there Justin8462,

I believe it would be nice to start with just backing up the data stored on the drive.

Apart from that, you can check Resource Monitor as Ironsounds suggested and see what is accessing the drive.

Most probably, the disk usage is caused by some background Win services. There are multiple threads on users facing similar problems with Win 10. You can do some research on that.
Here are a couple of threads:
https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/3h4wjg/windows_10_high_disk_usage_100_ive_seen_a_thread/
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2813275/disk-usage-100.html

Also, if you are on a desktop machine, you can try to attach the drive with different cables (both SATA and power ones) to a different SATA port. You can test it as well: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility
Make sure it is in a healthy state.

Hope this will help,
D_Know_WD