Windows 10: Racing HDD

**Hereward1059** · 25 Sep 2017

Can anyone tell me why my half empty HDD rockets up to 99% upon launch it gradually drops to 'normal' levels after around 90 seconds, I have no high-impact startups and I use Defender with Windows (10). Thank you.

**dalchina** · 25 Sep 2017

Could you clarify - launch of what exactly?

Reading between the lines, as you mention startups, I assume you are referring to the period after logging in.

Please launch the task manager (e.g. CTRL + SHIFT + ESC) and create a screenshot showing this, and the processes responsible for the disk usage. Prt Screen will be the fastest (should be keys on your laptop's keyboard), then paste what you've captured into e.g. Paint.
To post a screenshot please use the Insert Image icon above your post to the left of the video icon. Thanks.
Similarly the Performance tab of the task manager, showing your disk.

Please compare what happens with
a. Safe Mode
b. a clean boot

For completeness please check your disk:
Hard disk sentinel (trial) - post a screenshot.

**FerchogtX** · 25 Sep 2017

He's talking about boot time @dalchina, when Windows 10 boots, there is pretty high activity a couple of seconds after you reach desktop.

Don't fret it too much, @Hereward1059, it's perfectly normal, if you check in Task Manager, you will notice that Superfetch service is the one using the disk the most, that is because Windows always updates and cleans it's program cache database, so they start faster. In build 1703 (Creators Update) this behaviour works more like in Windows 7, in where, instead of inmediately cleaning and maintaining teh database as soon as system reaches desktop, it starts doing it a few minutes after. If you have a SSD or a fast HDD (7200 RPM), this won't affect you that much, I feel sorry for people using slow spinners, those can suffer a bit, because Superfetch can be a bit intensitive in it's labour.

In short, don't worry, that is normal.

Windows 10: Racing HDD

Racing HDD

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