System PID 4 high disk activity

Cloud_Geek_82 801 Reputation points
2021-12-06T05:00:13.883+00:00

Hi guys,

For about several months on a terminal server with Windows Server 2016 I've been observing high disk usage activity.
On the screenshot below it is not even the highest one.

155181-mbe-disk-usage.jpg

As you can see on the screenshot PID 4 is associated with all users and various apps.
This is resulted in noticeable performance degradation.
I tried to use Process Monitor but this the SMSS is only process I can see under PID 4.
Active time most of the time is above 70% and Disk Queue length most of the time is higher than 1.

Is there a way to find out what causing it?

Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
2,370 questions
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Gary Reynolds 9,391 Reputation points
    2021-12-06T08:58:44.437+00:00

    Hi ITGeek82-8422

    From the screenshot, it looks like the high disk usage is associated to the print spool\print queues on the server. You might want to consider moving the print queue to a different server if they are impact the users significantly.

    Gary.

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  2. Cloud_Geek_82 801 Reputation points
    2021-12-10T01:38:21.203+00:00

    Hi @Gary Reynolds ,

    Those processes are changing all the time.
    On the screenshot it can be related to print spooler and the next second it can be anything else like Chrome or Outlook.

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