You think you’ve erased everything. You hit ‘delete,’ maybe even emptied the Recycle Bin. So, it’s gone, right? Not even close. In fact, that old drive sitting in your drawer could be a goldmine for identity thieves. The moment you decide to sell, donate, or recycle your old PC, you’re potentially handing over your most sensitive files—bank statements, tax returns, private photos—to strangers. However, with the right knowledge, you can prevent this. Let’s dive into why deleting is not destroying and how to truly protect yourself before you throw out old hard drive.

Is your PC crawling? Task Manager shows 100% disk usage and high CPU, yet you’ve barely opened any apps. This frustrating slowdown can make even simple tasks feel like a marathon. But here’s the good news: the culprits are often hidden Windows services that run in the background without your knowledge. In this guide, you’ll discover three proven, step-by-step methods to fix 100% disk usage and high CPU in Windows 10 and 11. No complex registry hacks or risky software—just clean, built-in tools that restore your system’s speed.

Why Does 100% Disk Usage Happen on Windows?

Before diving into the fixes, it helps to understand the root cause. Windows runs several background services to improve your experience—but sometimes they backfire. For example, the **SysMain** service (formerly SuperFetch) preloads frequently used apps into memory. However, on older hard drives (HDDs) or even some SSDs, this constant read/write activity can spike disk usage to 100%, making your PC unresponsive.

Similarly, the **Connected User Experiences and Telemetry** service sends diagnostic data to Microsoft in real time. While it sounds harmless, it can consume significant CPU and disk resources, especially on low-end machines. Lastly, a corrupted Windows Search index can cause the search service to loop endlessly, scanning files over and over—another major contributor to high disk and CPU load.

Method 1: Disable SysMain to Stop Disk Thrashing

The first step to fix 100% disk usage is to disable the SysMain service. This service is designed to speed up app launches, but on many systems, it does the opposite. Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Press **Windows + R**, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter.
2. Scroll down to **SysMain** (or SuperFetch on older builds).
3. Right-click it, select **Properties**, and set the Startup type to **Disabled**.
4. Click **Stop** to halt the service immediately, then hit **OK**.

After doing this, check Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). You’ll likely see disk usage drop dramatically. Restarting your PC ensures the change sticks. While this fix works for most users, some may notice slightly longer app load times—but that’s a fair trade-off for a responsive system.

Method 2: Turn Off Telemetry to Reduce CPU Overhead

Next, you’ll want to disable the **Connected User Experiences and Telemetry** service. This background service collects and sends diagnostic data, but it can hog CPU and disk resources. To disable it:

1. Open `services.msc` again.
2. Look for **Connected User Experiences and Telemetry** (or DiagTrack on some versions).
3. Right-click, choose **Properties**, set Startup type to **Disabled**, and click **Stop**.
4. Confirm with **OK**.

This simple tweak often reduces high CPU usage significantly, especially on systems with limited processing power. In addition, you can also disable other telemetry-related scheduled tasks via Task Scheduler, but the service change alone is usually enough.

Method 3: Rebuild the Windows Search Index

If disk usage remains high, a corrupted search index is likely the culprit. The search service might be stuck in a loop, constantly re-scanning files. Rebuilding the index clears this and forces Windows to start fresh. Here’s how:

1. Open **Indexing Options** from the Start menu search.
2. Click **Advanced** at the bottom.
3. In the **Index Settings** tab, click **Rebuild** under the Troubleshooting section.
4. Confirm and wait—this may take a while depending on your file count.

During the rebuild, disk usage may spike temporarily, but once it finishes, you’ll notice a smoother experience. Additionally, you can narrow the indexed locations to only essential folders (like Documents and Desktop) to prevent future bloat.

Verify Your Fix: Monitor Task Manager

After applying all three methods, it’s crucial to verify that your system is stable. Open **Task Manager** (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and watch the **Performance** tab. You should see disk usage hovering near 0–10% at idle, and CPU usage dropping to normal levels. If issues persist, consider updating your storage drivers or checking for malware—but in most cases, these three steps resolve the problem.

Final Thoughts on Boosting Windows Performance

Dealing with 100% disk usage and high CPU can be maddening, but you don’t need to live with it. By disabling SysMain, turning off telemetry, and rebuilding the search index, you can regain control of your PC’s performance. These methods are safe, reversible, and require no third-party tools. However, if your system still lags, you might want to explore other optimizations like adjusting virtual memory or upgrading to an SSD—but start with these fixes first.

Ready to say goodbye to that sluggish PC? Watch the full video tutorial above to see each step in action, including the exact commands and shortcuts used. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your system can return to peak performance. Don’t let background services slow you down—take action today.

When your Windows 11 PC starts acting up—freezing, crashing, or slowing to a crawl—the thought of wiping everything clean can be daunting. But what if you could hit the reset button without sacrificing your precious photos, documents, and videos? That’s exactly what the ‘Reset this PC’ feature with the ‘Keep my files’ option promises. In this guide, we’ll break down the process step by step, so you can restore your system’s health while keeping your personal data intact. Watch the full walkthrough below to see every step in action.

Why Reset Windows 11 Without Losing Files Is a Game-Changer

Resetting your operating system is often the last resort for persistent errors, malware infections, or just a cluttered drive. However, the fear of losing years of memories and work can stop you in your tracks. The ‘Keep my files’ option in Windows 11 is designed to address this exact concern. It reinstalls the OS, removes installed apps, and resets settings, but it leaves your personal files—like documents, pictures, and music—untouched. This makes it an ideal middle ground between a full reset and troubleshooting. As a result, you can enjoy a fresh system without the heartache of starting from zero.

Before you dive in, it’s crucial to understand what this feature does and doesn’t do. It does remove all third-party applications, including browsers, office suites, and games. It also resets your display settings, privacy preferences, and other system configurations. Therefore, you’ll need to reinstall your apps and customize your settings again. But the core of your digital life—your files—remains safe.

Cloud Download vs. Local Reinstall: Which Should You Choose?

One of the most critical decisions in the reset process is choosing between **Cloud download** and **Local reinstall**. This choice can significantly impact the outcome and the time it takes. The video explains this distinction clearly, and we’ll summarize it here.

**Cloud download** fetches a fresh copy of Windows 11 from Microsoft’s servers. This is ideal if your system files are corrupted or if you suspect malware has tampered with your installation. It ensures you get a clean, unmodified version of the OS. However, it requires a stable internet connection and can consume up to 4 GB of data, depending on your system.

**Local reinstall**, on the other hand, uses the existing Windows files on your PC to perform the reset. It’s faster and works offline, but if those files are damaged, the reset might fail or carry over the problems. Therefore, if you’re resetting due to system corruption, **Cloud download** is often the safer bet. The video offers practical advice on when to pick each, making it easier to decide based on your situation.

Step-by-Step: How to Reset Windows 11 Using ‘Keep My Files’

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s how to execute a **Windows 11 reset** without losing your files:

1. **Back up your data**: Even though the ‘Keep my files’ option is designed to preserve your data, it’s always wise to back up to an external drive or cloud storage. This is a safety net, and the video stresses this point.
2. **Open Settings**: Go to **Settings > System > Recovery**.
3. **Click ‘Reset PC’**: Under the ‘Recovery options’ section, click the ‘Reset PC’ button.
4. **Choose ‘Keep my files’**: When prompted, select ‘Keep my files’ to preserve your personal files.
5. **Select Cloud or Local**: Decide between **Cloud download** or **Local reinstall** based on our earlier discussion.
6. **Confirm and wait**: Windows will display a summary of what will be removed. Confirm, and the process will begin. Your PC will restart several times—this is normal.

After the reset, you’ll be greeted by a fresh Windows setup screen. Your files will be in the same folders, but you’ll need to reinstall your apps. The video shows you exactly where to find the list of removed apps, which is saved as an HTML file on your desktop. This list is a lifesaver when trying to remember what you had installed.

Less Destructive Alternatives to a Full Reset

Before you commit to a reset, consider less drastic recovery options. The video briefly touches on these, and they’re worth exploring if you’re dealing with minor glitches. For instance, **System Restore** can roll back your system to an earlier point without affecting your files. Similarly, **Startup Repair** can fix boot issues, and **DISM** or **SFC scans** can repair corrupted system files. These tools are built into Windows and can often solve problems without the need for a full reset. Therefore, they’re excellent first steps in your troubleshooting journey.

However, if these fail, a reset with ‘Keep my files’ is your best bet. It’s a powerful tool that balances data preservation with system health.

Final Thoughts: Watch the Video for a Visual Walkthrough

Resetting Windows 11 without losing your files is a straightforward process once you understand the options. The video guide provides a clear, visual walkthrough that covers everything from the initial backup to the final reboot. It also offers practical tips on choosing between cloud and local reinstall, and what to expect after the reset. So, if you’re ready to give your PC a fresh start, watch the video above to see the entire process in action. Your files will thank you.