Superfetch is one source of excessive disk usage (formerly known as PreFetcher in Windows XP).
When it starts up, it preloads a bunch of data from your hard disk into RAM which slows down your computer - however, the intent is to make loading your frequently used applications faster by reducing boot time.
Approach One
To stop it, type in "Services" in the Windows start bar which opens the Services app (it's icon is two gears meshing, one large and one small). Sort by Service Name (single click the Name column to apply the sort), find Superfetch, stop it and then disable it.
Approach Two
Alternatively, type net stop "Windows Search" at the command prompt. If you stopped it already via Approach One, you will get the message "The Windows Search service is not started".
When it starts up, it preloads a bunch of data from your hard disk into RAM which slows down your computer - however, the intent is to make loading your frequently used applications faster by reducing boot time.
Approach One
To stop it, type in "Services" in the Windows start bar which opens the Services app (it's icon is two gears meshing, one large and one small). Sort by Service Name (single click the Name column to apply the sort), find Superfetch, stop it and then disable it.
Approach Two
Alternatively, type net stop "Windows Search" at the command prompt. If you stopped it already via Approach One, you will get the message "The Windows Search service is not started".
