Overflowing hard drive error, also known as 100% disk usage error on Windows 10. This error often occurs after upgrading to Windows 10, causing the system to report the HDD is operating at 100%, leading to computer freezing and lag. To effectively fix the memory saturation issue on Win 10, refer to the details below.
Fixing Windows 10 Hard Drive Full Error, Resolving 100% Disk Usage
Method 1: Configure Virtual Memory
This method creates a virtual memory that allows your computer to recognize more storage space, preventing the 100% disk usage error on Win 10. It is the most basic approach to fix disk overflow on Windows 10. From the Start menu, search for “advanced system settings.”
After the Performance dialog opens, on the Advanced tab, select Performance > Settings > Advanced > Change...
Now, you need to enter suitable virtual memory based on your machine. Typically, a 1:1 ratio of RAM to virtual memory is most reasonable. For example, if your RAM is 4GB, you can enter 2000 in the Initial size (MB) box and 4000 in the Maximum size (MB) box. With such virtual memory settings, you can be assured that fixing the 100% disk usage error on Windows 10 is relatively straightforward, and from now on, you should not encounter disk full issues.
Method 3: Configuring Skype Settings
Skype, notorious for consuming substantial system resources, might be the culprit behind the Windows 10 full disk 100% error. Follow the steps below to modify Skype settings and resolve the full disk 100% issue on Windows 10:
Note: This method applies to the desktop version of Skype and not the Windows Store version.
Execute the following steps to change Skype settings and fix the full disk issue on Win 10.
Step 1: Start by closing the Skype application if it's open. Right-click on the Skype icon in the Taskbar and choose Quit, or you can close the application through Task Manager.
Step 2: Next, open This PC or My Computer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\.
Step 3: Right-click on the Skype.exe file and select Properties.
Step 4: In the Skype Properties window, go to the Security tab, select ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES, and then click Edit.
Step 5: In the next dialog that appears on your screen, select ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES and check Allow for Write permission.
Step 6: Click OK to save the changes and proceed, then click OK again.
Finally, try opening Task Manager and check if the Windows 10 full disk 100% error persists.
Method 4: Configuring Chrome Settings
In the Chrome browser, the preloading feature of web pages might encounter issues. To disable this feature, go to Settings => Show Advanced Settings => Privacy. Here, find and uncheck the option 'Prefetch resources to load pages more quickly'.
Newer versions of Chrome with redesigned security pages offer a different approach. In these versions, locate the 'Privacy and security' section and disable the option 'Use a prediction service to load pages more quickly' to fix the Windows 10 full disk 100% error.
Method 5: Disable Windows Search
Disabling the Windows Search service also helps fix the Windows 10 full disk 100% error. In reality, Windows Search runs in the background and invisibly becomes the culprit for the Windows 10 full disk 100% error.
Temporarily disabling Windows Search (the feature will reactivate upon restarting the computer) can also help fix the Windows 10 full disk 100% error.
First, open the Command Prompt with Admin privileges, then enter the following command:
net.exe stop “Windows Search”
Next, use the command below to restart Windows:
net.exe start “Windows Search”
How to turn off Windows Search:
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Step 2: Enter services.msc and press Enter.
Step 3: In the window displayed on the screen, locate Windows Search.
Step 4: Right-click on it and choose Properties.
Step 5: In the General tab, set the Startup type to Disabled.
Step 6: Click OK to save the changes.
Method 6: Disable Windows Tips
Windows 10 Settings include options to display tips and tricks. However, these options are also listed among the culprits causing the Windows 10 full disk 100% error.
To fix the Windows 10 full disk error, you can disable these options by accessing Settings =>System =>Notifications & actions => turn off the option Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.
Method 7: Fix StorAHCI.sys Driver Error
Another cause of the Windows 10 full disk error may be a firmware issue in the Microsoft AHCI driver named StorAHCI.sys. StorAHCI.sys is known to be the culprit causing the full disk 100% error and the dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).
Follow the steps below to disable Message-Signaled Interrupts for the driver and resolve the issue:
Step 1: Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button in the bottom-left corner of the screen and selecting Device Manager.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, locate and expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section.
Step 3: Right-click on Standard SATA AHCI Controller and select Properties.
Step 4: In the Driver tab, click Driver Details. If the Driver files frame displays the path C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\storahci.sys, it indicates a system affected by the error.
Step 5: Click OK, then switch to the Details tab.
Step 6: Select Device instance path under the Property section, then copy the value from the Value field.
Step 7: Open Registry Editor by running the window (Windows + R) and typing regedit into it.
Step 8: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI\
Then expand PCI to view the related keys.
Step 9: Find AHCI Controller and navigate to the key:
Device Parameters\Interrupt Management\MessageSignaledInterruptProperties
Step 10: Locate and double-click on MSISupported and change the value in the Value data box to 0.
Step 11: Click OK to save the changes, then close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Method 8: Disable Adobe Flash to Fix 100% Full Disk Error
Apart from being notorious for serious security vulnerabilities, Adobe Flash is also known as a culprit causing the Windows 10 full disk 100% error. Therefore, to fix the Windows 10 full disk 100% error, you can try the solution of disabling Adobe Flash.
So, Mytour has just introduced 2 ways to fix the Windows 10 full disk error to you. According to our recommendation, right after installing or updating to Windows 10, you should configure Virtual Memory according to Method 1 to prevent memory overflow errors. This issue is quite common, regardless of whether your computer is high or low configuration, new or old. In addition, Mytour also guides how to uninstall apps on Win 10 so that you know how to uninstall unused apps on Windows 10.
As it is a common error since Windows 8 and above, if you are using Win 8, you can refer to how to fix the 100% Disk error on Win 8 to improve the speed and processing performance of the operating system. Note that fixing the 100% full disk error on Windows 8 will be different from the method on Windows 10, so pay attention.
