Windows 11, released on October 5, 2021, boasts several exciting features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows 10. It introduces a refreshed design with a simplified Start Menu, centered Taskbar, and rounded corners for a modern aesthetic. Performance and security are enhanced with faster startup times, improved protection against malware and viruses, and required hardware features like Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot. Productivity and gaming are also elevated with improved multitasking, personalized widgets, Focus Assist, Auto HDR, and Xbox App integration. Additionally, Windows 11 prioritizes accessibility with enhanced screen reader, closed captions, and expanded language support. Other notable features include Microsoft Teams integration, Android apps support via Amazon Appstore, and an improved tablet experience, making Windows 11 a significant upgrade.
Maybe you Just reinstalled Windows 11 and noticed your C drive is stuck at 100% disk usage? Super frustrating, right? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! This is actually a pretty common problem, but the good news is, there are a bunch of fixes that can help you out. Let’s get into it!
1. Windows Search Indexing Going Crazy
One of the usual suspects after a fresh install is Windows Search indexing. It rebuilds its index and hogs your disk space while doing it.
- Fix it: Head to
Indexing Options(just search for it in the Start menu) and uncheck unnecessary locations. Boom, that should ease the load.
2. Superfetch (Now Called SysMain) Acting Up
Remember Superfetch? It’s now called SysMain and is still infamous for using too much disk. It’s supposed to help with performance, but sometimes it does more harm than good.
- Quick Fix:
- Press
Windows + R, typeservices.msc, hit Enter. - Find SysMain, right-click, and select Stop.
- For good measure, go to Properties and set it to Disabled.
3. Windows Update Madness
Just reinstalled Windows? Well, it’s probably downloading a ton of updates in the background. This can take up a lot of disk space.
- Solution: Either wait it out or head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to pause those updates if you’re in a hurry.
4. Antivirus or Malware Shenanigans
Sometimes your antivirus is working overtime, or—yikes!—you might have picked up some malware. This can mess with your disk usage too.
- Fix: Run a full scan with Windows Defender or whatever antivirus software you trust. If you suspect something nastier, give Malwarebytes a try!
5. Virtual Memory Issues
If your system is running low on virtual memory (paging file), Windows might start using your disk way more than it should.
- Quick Fix:
- Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings.
- Under Performance, hit Settings, go to the Advanced tab, and adjust your Virtual memory settings. Make sure they’re properly configured.
6. Outdated Disk Drivers
Sometimes it’s just your drivers being out of date or not playing nice with Windows 11.
- Fix: Open Device Manager, go to Disk Drives, and update your drivers. Simple!
7. Background Apps Sucking Up Resources
There could also be apps running in the background that are sneakily using up all your disk space. Time to bring up Task Manager and investigate!
- How to Fix:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Sort by disk usage and see what’s eating up all your resources. Disable any unnecessary apps!
Read Also: Stay on Windows 10 or Upgrade to 11?
So there you have it! These fixes should help you get your disk usage back under control. Hopefully, one of these works for you, and your PC goes back to being speedy. If you’ve tried all these and nothing works, it might be time to dig deeper into your hardware—fingers crossed that’s not the case!
Stay techy.