This is a bug report. I hope Microsoft will take it seriously as it took me a whole day and much stress to track it down. Basically my problem was the same as this: http://slopjong.de/2013/04/23/extremely-high-disk-activity-with-windows-8-and-how-to-fix-it/ However in the graphic on this site it appears to show that Virtualbox is the culprit. However this is unlikely to be the case, as the author of the site fixed his problem by following his own advice. This is an extremely common problem as this Google search indicates:

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=ntoskrnl.exe+100+disk+usage+windows+8

To attempt to address my own problem first I disabled all non-microsoft services in Windows 8.1 professional. When this had no effect on the problem, I then disabled all non-essential Microsoft services. In turn. when this has no effect I disabled all user installed start-up items. Again when this failed to have an impact, I changed my browser from Firefox to Google Chrome, as I noted that the extremely high disk utilisation was at it's worst when using Firefox. This also had no effect.

I then tried a variation of my search on Google "ntoskrnl.exe 100 disk usage windows 8" (I can't remember the exact variation) and stumbled over the above site at the beginning of this message. I had by that point tried everything that was in my power to try. But I noted from this article that the author recommended changing the power plan from 'balanced', to 'high performance'. Since I had   exhausted every other avenue, I decided to try this and like magic, instantly it worked. So there is clearly a bug in Windows 8.1 (and 8 prior to this) that causes 100% disk utilisation. I thought someone at MS might like to know about it and come up with a way to fix it.

Below is my system configuration. Please note this system configuration may contain a number of errors, as it was generated with several non-essential Microsoft services disabled. I do not believe these issues need to be addressed. However the issue of 100% disk utilisation when using a 'balanced' power plan on Windows 8.1 (and 8.0) almost certainly does.

PS

This message board system will not allow me to post my full system configuration. MS need a better bug reporting system! Apple allow the public to submit bug reports, so why not Microsoft too. The public can find useful bugs!

• Changed type David WoltersModerator Monday, December 16, 2013 8:31 PM There is no question in the OP.

Hi,

Thanks for your detailed description.

We considered that the culprit for every computer is different. For the specific PC, we need to analyze the specific issue.

Please trace the performance using the Windows performance toolkit.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh162945.aspx

The download link is below:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=39982

Then upload the .etl file to Skydrive. We will help you an

I am suffering from the same problem currently, and my solution---whatever it may be---has not presented itself among my many attempts (i.e. nearly everything besides refreshing Windows).

If I should do the same thing as Raid, using the performance toolkit and uploading the .etl to Skydrive, would Microsoft support be able to figure out the solution to my problem?

FTT

Yes you should, and yes we should be able to.

Hi Karen,

I am also having a similar problem. My ntoskrnl seems to be constantly accessing the disk at about 260 - 280MB/s. Can you tell me where I can upload the .etl file to (I know you said Skydrive, but who's?)?

Also, under the Windows Assessment Console, what test should we run? Should it be the Hardware Performance?

Thanks,

John

• Edited by Hillside_Shep Monday, December 09, 2013 1:25 PM

Question: How will you be getting back to us when you have each of our answers? For that matter, I assume we somehow need to tell you what .etl file is whose so you can tell which corresponds to which computer---do the .etl files have our computers' names somehow included in them, such that we could say "oh, the one from JohnDoePC is mine" etc?

Hi FiveTow Three,

Please create a new thread about your issue.

Meanwhile, please remember share us your skydrive file public link. Otherwise we can't get it.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=DD4BA6A3F312AE94!944&authkey=!AHGa4ROe2MXZhM0&ithint=file%2c.etl

There's the file.

And I already have a thread for my problem:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/windows-81-100-disk-usage-sometimes/e28ca4c0-4a38-4cf9-b0a3-02e3c0dc3c4b

I would have made these clickable links, but since I'm waiting on my account verification (for... some reason) these will have to do for now.

• Edited by FiveTwoThree Tuesday, December 17, 2013 8:40 PM

Hi FiveTwoThree,

From your uploaded file, we could see chrome.exe process has the biggest suspicion.

Please recreate a thread in Technet Forum in order we provide further

Definitely not Chrome, because having all programs closed does not in any way cause the problem to go away. Thread is goin' up.

532

We need a link to it.

Link for how to  upload below. http://www.wikihow.com/Use-SkyDrive

Hi raid517,

I just had the same problem, it was just the Windows Maintenance. You can see if it's running by clicking on the little white flag in the task bar.

Switching from "balanced" to "high performance" worked for me !! thanks a lot