• Why is physical memory loaded at 100. Overloaded RAM. Setting up the operating system

    In Windows 10, there are often problems with disk utilization at 100%. The computer starts to work slowly and when we go to the task manager, we notice that the disk is 100% loaded. What could be the reasons for this and what should be done in this case?

    We reinstalled the system, the disk is in perfect order, only a basic set of programs is installed, everything seems to be fine, but not quite. But simply put, the hard drive is frozen, and in the task manager we can see that the disk load has increased to the maximum 100%.

    Let's figure out why the disk is so heavily loaded and check whether this is a short-term situation caused by running programs or whether the problem is long-term and how to solve it. Increased disk utilization can be caused by many factors, so there is no single universal method to solve it.

    Windows Search and File Indexing

    In Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, the cause may be a situation where the search engine gets drawn into a loop, resulting in increased disk load when searching for files. Fortunately, it can be disabled manually by stopping the search.

    To do this, right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. Or enter the command “cmd” in the search bar of the Start menu, then click on it and select “Run as administrator.”

    To temporarily stop the Windows search engine, type in the command prompt window:

    NET STOP "Windows Search"

    The Windows Search service will be stopped and the looped process will be closed. Now go to the task manager and check whether the load has decreased and how loaded it is. If this method worked and the problem does not appear on the next search, then there is nothing else you need to do.

    However, the problem may recur after a while, especially if the computer has an old disk installed or the system has problems indexing files. Then you can completely disable indexing, despite the fact that this will to some extent slow down the process of searching for files in the system.

    To disable indexing, press Win + R to open the Run window. Then enter the command:

    services.msc

    A services window will open, where you need to find “Windows Search” in the list.

    Double-click on it to change its launch options. If the service is running, stop it by clicking the Stop button, and then change the startup type from Auto to Disabled.

    Disabling this service will bring some benefit, especially for older computers where indexing greatly slows down the system.

    SuperFetch Service

    The disk may be heavily loaded by the SuperFetch service. Its influence on the operation of Windows is twofold. In most cases, SuperFetch has a positive effect on system performance, both in the latest versions of Windows 8.1 and 10, and in earlier Vista and Windows 7. But on some computers it causes problems, including excessive disk load.

    SuperFetch can be completely disabled in the same way as file indexing, in the system services section, which is called using the services.msc command.

    In the list we find the “SuperFetch” service. Then open it by double-clicking the mouse, stop it with the “Stop” button and set the “Startup Type” to “Disabled”.

    Antivirus scan

    Often the hard drive is 100% loaded due to the computer being infected with malware. In Windows 8.1 or 10 Task Manager, you can sort the loaded processes in the disk usage column. To do this, simply click on "Disk" to sort the different processes.

    If the disk is loaded at 100 by some unknown process, then you can try to disable it. If you know which program is responsible for this process, you can remove it. However, if it is an unknown EXE file and especially if its process cannot be terminated due to “Access Denied”, you should scan your computer with an antivirus.

    The reason may also be the antivirus program itself, which we install after installing Windows 10 - perhaps at this moment it scans the disk in the background. In this case, wait until it completes the scan and see how busy it is. If the antivirus constantly overloads the hard drive, then it should be replaced with another one.

    Disk check chkdsk

    Damaged files can cause heavy loading. If there are errors reading files and folders, this will most likely lead to the above-mentioned looping process during the search. What to do if you have damaged files?

    You should scan the disk with the chkdsk command with additional parameters to not only identify problems, but also try to fix them. To do this, launch Command Prompt in Administrator mode and enter the following command:

    chkdsk.exe /f /r

    After scanning, reboot the computer and check what percentage of the drive is loaded.

    The source of the problem may be the disk itself. If you are using an old hard drive that may be damaged, it can load up your Windows system and cause your computer to slow down. It should be checked for bad sectors, for example, by the Victoria or MHDD program, and then see how loaded it is. In case of multiple damages, you should consider buying a new one. Sometimes the problem is caused by a faulty SATA cable, so that should also be checked.


    Determining whether RAM is overloaded or not is very simple. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu. Go to the Performance tab and you will see a window similar to the one shown below. This window shows the general graph of processor and RAM usage. When you are not doing anything on the system, CPU utilization should be close to zero. If it stays high, it means something is going on in the computer and you need to look for possible causes. A high RAM ratio indicates the need to clean it.

    Disabling background programs

    Sometimes a program running in the background tries to take up 100% of your system resources while you are idle. An example is the United Devices peer-to-peer network, which runs in the background and performs tasks when the system is not in use. If you find such an application, try putting it into sleep mode to take proper measurements. If this does not work, then close the software, take measurements and run the application again (before doing this, make sure that closing will not lead to emergency consequences).

    Below the processor and RAM usage graphs there are statistical data: the number of running processes (software) and program threads (application tasks). Take a look at the Physical Memory (KB) statistic: it is a good indicator of the health of the OS. In fact, the value displayed does not indicate the amount of memory used by Windows, but the amount of memory used. Windows creates a page file on the hard drive to support virtual memory.

    However, to determine the health of the system, at least 25% of the physical memory must be free. Less free space means that Windows has difficulty moving data from RAM to the hard drive. When free memory reaches zero, the system crashes. In the example shown, the available memory is 297,076 KB or 56%.

    How to clear memory

    This guide introduces you to the topic of cleaning up Windows, allowing the operating system to run efficiently. Optimization is not necessarily about speeding up; sometimes it results in improved reliability or availability of Windows. All users need some level of support to make their work productive. It is important to create a plan that helps maintain balance in the OS optimization process. In addition, a good plan helps to avoid unproductive results.

    If you've read this guide, you already know at least one optimization tactic (and maybe more). Try disabling the Themes service and see if you're better off or worse off without it. Many users consider desktop themes unnecessary - they are quite satisfied with the standard interface. For example, you can continue to use wallpapers, but you don't necessarily need to have access to all the wallpaper options or change their scale. The main thing is to find components that have minimal impact on your operation, but have the greatest impact on system performance.

    After reading other articles on our site, you will for the first time seriously address the issue of speeding up your work. You will begin cleaning your hard drive - it may require much more effort than you expected. A variety of useless information, temporary files and outdated information that should have been archived long ago are “hidden” from you on your hard drive. An important aspect of cleaning up your hard drive is to free up space for things like the page file, fresh data, and new information downloaded from the Internet.

    Switching to a new OS brings pleasant opportunities, but one of the widespread problems is that in Windows 10 the hard drive can be 100% loaded. Users are sounding the alarm and don’t know what to do. Let's look at the causes and methods to eliminate them.

    Looking for reasons

    The OS is clean and free of viruses, but for some reason in the task manager the hard drive is loaded at 100%. Let's sort the processes in descending order in the "Disk" column; if this is not a newly installed program, then let's go look for answers in the Windows processes themselves.

    As a result of executing the command, the service will be temporarily suspended and, accordingly, the process will go into a loop - this may be a solution when the disk is loaded to 100 percent in Windows 10. But to prevent repetition, you can disable indexing in the services - if this is not critical for you, this will obviously slow down the search for files and folders. You can disable it by going to “Control Panel” → “Administration” → “Services” → find “Windows Search” → first click “Stop” → in the startup type select “Disabled” → OK. text_7/screenshot_4 and 5

    • If the situation has not changed, move on. Perhaps the virus is affecting processes and this may be the answer to the question “Why is the disk loaded at 100% in Windows 10?” Conduct an in-depth analysis of yours and additionally use the Dr.WebCureIT utility - it downloads quickly, does not require installation and is free.
    • The next reason may be the antivirus itself. Observe, a deep scheduled disk scan is probably underway, but if this happens constantly, select other software to protect your PC.
    • A fairly common reason is a broken disk, as the operating system tools try to check and slow down all other processes. Have you ever had a black screen before loading the OS? If yes, then this check disk (abbreviated chkdsk) built into Windows 10 checks the file system of your hard drive for errors, as a result of which it is constantly loaded at 100 percent. Of course, you can disable it, but maybe it’s worth looking into the root cause and only then removing it from the task scheduler.

    How else can I remove disk loading to 100% in Windows 10?

    • You need drivers! Many people began to install the OS on their own, but as for the drivers, users consider it sufficient to install it for sound, video, webcam, etc., but they don’t install the really necessary drivers, apparently they don’t like the file names or they don’t understand them. This happens with drivers for the motherboard chipset and with ACHI and Storage Tool. The answer is simple, install them - go to the manufacturer’s website and download for free.
    • Defragmentation will help if the disk is 99 percent loaded in Windows 10! How long have you not optimized your drives? If you can’t even remember, go ahead! Endless copying, deleting, downloading leads to complete chaos for clusters, and when accessing a file, the hard one rushes about in search.
    • Do you use cloud storage services? If yes, then the “Synchronization” checkbox is probably ticked. Notice how much information is leaked at this moment. If at this moment the disk is 100 percent loaded, then the answer to the question of what to do is obvious! Turn off automatic loading and use manual mode - set it at night or when you are not at home.
    • Another tip on how to reduce heavy disk load in Windows 10. Torrents are our everything! Yes? You not only download, you also distribute, use the program when you are not at the computer and leave not 10 downloads running, but 2-3, depending on the configuration of your PC.

    What to do if the hard drive is 100 percent loaded?

    Perhaps updates give such a load. Again, if the screw is not in the best condition, the processor is weak - you can spend hours on this. Let's see how many hidden and unnecessary updates there are and how to disable them. “Settings” → “Update and Security” → “Windows Control Center” → “Advanced settings” → uncheck “When you update Windows, provide updates for other Microsoft products.”


    Next, go to the “App Store” → select your account and “Settings” → in application updates, switch to “Off.”



    Have you noticed that when you start Windows 10, your disk is 100 percent busy with something? The reason may be unwanted files in startup - go there: ++ → “More details” (may not be, depending on the settings) → “StartUp” carefully study the contents. TO ak? To remove unwanted applications without harming the OS, use software designed for this, for example: “CCleaner”, “AutoRuns”, “Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free”, etc.

    On your Windows 10 laptop, the disk is loading at 100% and you don't know why? The reason may be the Superfetch service and the Svchost system process, the task of which is to optimize their operation. The principle is as follows: the most frequently used programs and applications are analyzed and begin loading into system memory in advance in order to. Quite a few resources are required, which is why the load occurs. You can disable it in “Services” → “Superfetch” → in properties select “Stop” → and in startup type “Disable” → OK.

    If the disk is 100% loaded in the system process, then perhaps there are not enough rights and they need to be added, the relationship with the rights “ntoskrnl” - the OS kernel, has been proven by its action. So, “Task Manager” → “Processes” → right-click on “System” → “Open file location” → right-click “ntoskrnl.exe” → “Properties” → “Security” tab → “Advanced” → “All application packages” and you need to tick all the boxes.

    We have looked at various reasons why your PC is running at 100%. You can read how to find out « » . Perhaps one tool will help, or maybe you need to carry out a set of optimization works. In any case, do not forget that the system must be maintained in proper condition. Modern software provides choice, given that most are freely available and have a free license.

    Most computer users are of the opinion that there is no such thing as too much RAM. Of course, it's hard to argue with this, especially when it comes to modern machines, where the hardware configuration requires solid performance.


    In addition, most of these devices have a Windows system on board, which is a 64-bit version.

    Modern users often encounter a problem related to the fact that the physical memory of the computer is loaded. What to do in this situation? This question often confuses the average user and forces a professional to rack his brains trying to find a solution to the problem presented. There is no need to delve into the complexity of “operational misunderstandings”; it is better to use simple, but at the same time effective methods of diagnosing and optimizing a computer system. This is exactly what will be discussed further in the article.

    What to do if the computer's physical memory is loaded?

    A similar question quite often comes to mind for users who are faced with the problem of terrible slowdown in the Windows operating system. The next time you turn on the computer, the OS startup becomes slower and slower. Thus, the operation of the operating system at startup and during use becomes simply unbearable due to the “long waiting process.” If earlier some applications were “flying”, then when certain problems arise, they take quite a long time to start, to put it mildly.

    Obscure service messages appear on the monitor every now and then, annoying with their presence. Such a scenario of actions, especially if they manifest themselves in complex ways, can quickly drive every user crazy. However, not all of them understand that the reasons lie in the results of their own omissions. Therefore, the issue that worries most users will be considered. It consists of how to make sure that the physical memory of the computer is loaded and what are the methods to correct this situation.

    What should you do first if the device loses performance?

    First of all, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the system. It is worth noting that everything necessary to perform such actions is provided in advance by Microsoft developers. Thus, it is time to consider the practical part of today's story. You will need to do the following:

    1. Click on the taskbar, which is located at the bottom of the screen, with the right mouse button.
    2. Select “Manager...” from the drop-down list.
    3. After entering the work area of ​​the service window of the same name, you need to use the “Performance” tab.

    The RAM utilization rate is assessed using a graph presented visually. If Vista or an even later version of the Windows operating system is installed on the computer, this figure should not exceed 70-75% of the total face value of the physical swap. When it turns out to be higher, it is worth unloading the RAM area.

    Memory problems occur at OS startup

    If it is determined that the computer's physical memory is loaded at 80% or even higher than this value, you should pay attention to autoloading. It is likely that during the Windows startup process, this service activates all sorts of background applications and various software. As a rule, this is the reason for rebooting the RAM.

    As a result, it is simply torn between requests from various programs to allocate the amount of memory they require to operate. No matter how scary and hopeless it may sound, fixing this unpleasant situation is quite simple. To do this, you need to enter the “msconfig” command in the search bar of the Windows start menu. Then you need to press the “Enter” button, which takes the user to the “System Configuration” service menu. You will need to activate the “Startup” tab and edit the priority list of software to be launched.

    This will get rid of the problem, and the operating system will start much faster. True, after these manipulations you will have to restart the computer. You can make sure that the situation is corrected and everything unnecessary is removed from startup in practice.

    Optimization methods for clearing RAM

    First you need to do the most important thing, that is, disable unused software. Usually, in order to make sure which programs are activated in the background, you need to look in a special area of ​​the operating system. We are talking about the system tray. After all, it is from there that you can deactivate the selected software by pointing the marker at the object and pressing the right mouse button. It is possible that immediately after following the proposed recommendation, the issue of clearing the physical memory of the computer will be completely resolved. As you know, some applications running in the background are very hungry in terms of using system RAM resources.

    Another option that will help free up memory To see which programs are “secretly” consuming the required kilo- and megabytes of RAM, you should follow these steps:

    1. Press the key combination “Alt+Ctrl+Del”.
    2. When you get to the service window, open the “Processes” tab.
    3. Analyze the presented list and, using the manual correction method, turn off the background application that is not needed.

    However, it is worth warning in advance that it is not recommended to rush to deactivate “aggressive items”, because disabling certain Windows services that are of particular importance can negatively affect the overall stability of the entire operating system.

    “Miracle” RAM optimizers

    If the computer's physical memory is 90 percent full, some users immediately try to clear the RAM area by using special programs. True, not everyone suspects that optimizing this type of RAM is a waste of time. As you know, they do not contribute anything concrete to solving the problem that has arisen.

    The developers of such utilities promise wide functionality, but in reality there is nothing of that kind. They only create the illusion that memory is being freed, but at the same time they can introduce certain difficulties into the operation of the operating system. Thus, the manual method is much more effective and expedient to carry out than the imaginary “help” that is offered by third-party developers. Therefore, it is better to forget about this optimization method altogether.

    Malicious code and options for identifying it

    Users often have a question: “The physical memory of the computer is loaded: is it a virus or not?” This problem is especially relevant when all the actions described above are implemented in practice. What is the problem then, why does RAM lose its working potential? This is worth looking into properly. First of all, you will need to download an antivirus program from the Internet. This could be Dr.Web CureIt!, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or HitmanPro.

    Then you should scan the system using the running application, after which the infected objects will be cleaned. At the same time, harmful viruses will be removed. It should be noted that a traditional anti-virus program installed on a computer is not always capable of providing the device with reliable protection. It is quite possible that in the future it will be subject to attacks of one or another “digital infection”, which will negatively affect the operation of the system as a whole. This is precisely the reason why it is necessary to check the OS using the above programs.

    What to do when the amount of RAM is not too much?

    If the user is working in Word and listening to music at the same time, using an Internet browser, and also sees that the physical memory is loaded at 77%, there is no need to worry. However, sometimes things are much worse. Therefore, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the problem that has arisen from a technical point of view.

    It is also worth asking yourself questions: how many RAM modules are installed on the computer, what are their nominal “capabilities”? It is also necessary to point out the fact that, depending on the version used by the Windows system, the requirements for the amount of RAM can range from 256 MB to 2 GB. Thus, it is sufficient solely for the needs of the operating system itself. If you decide to use resource-intensive programs on a computer that has limited RAM, you need to think about expanding the paging file.

    Thus, we can say with complete confidence that the difficult situation associated with the fact that the computer’s physical memory is loaded has now been resolved. However, it is necessary to remember one more important “operative” point. When using Windows Vista, the seventh operating system or later versions of a product developed by Microsoft, if there is not enough RAM, you are advised to try deactivating the Superfetch service.

    Finally, it is worth adding that you should not miss the opportunity to upgrade your own computer. For example, adding an additional RAM module significantly expands the functionality and improves the performance of computer equipment. It all depends on the user himself, or rather, his timely actions that will prevent the device from falling into unconsciousness.