Optimize and Improve SSD Performance in Windows Easily
In comparison to traditional hard drives, Solid-state drives (SSDs) are well-known for their lightning speed and performance. However, with time, SSDs slow down. The reason could be due to improper configuration, aggressive data usage, or outdated firmware. On the same note, if you are wondering about the effective ways how to speed up SSD drive, this is a detailed guide that explains.
1. Enable AHCI Mode in BIOS to Make SSD Faster
The foremost step regarding how to speed up SSD drive is to make sure that AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode is supported. AHCI enables the SSD to use advanced features like Native Command Queuing (NCQ) to improve the way data is read and written efficiently.
How to enable AHCI mode:
- Reboot and enter the BIOS setup mode (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10).
- Locate the SATA Configuration menu.
- Switch the configuration from IDE to AHCI mode.
- At last, Save and exit.
If you have installed Windows with IDE mode enabled, changing it later could cause your Windows booting issue. So, such a scenario allows AHCI from the Windows registry before altering any BIOS Settings.
2. Update SSD Firmware to Speed Up SSD Drive Windows 10/11
Having an old firmware on your SSD could reduce the performance of your SSD, or you may face performance issues. That’s why manufacturers continuously update the firmware to fix bugs and to make it faster and more stable.
Method to update:
- Go to your official SSD manufacturer website (Samsung, Crucial, Western Digital, etc.)
- Download their SSD management tool.
- Look for firmware updates and install them according to instructions.
It is the simplest approach but worth considering on how to speed SSD drive and preserve its performance and lifespan.
3. Enable TRIM Command to Optimize SSD
TRIM is one of the most essential features that can help your SSD manage the excess data blocks. Moreover, TRIM allows the operating system to inform the SSD which data blocks are no longer in use, enabling the SSD to write data faster and wear more evenly when TRIM is enabled.
How to check TRIM status:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type:
fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify
2. If the result is 0, TRIM is enabled.
If it’s 1, you need to enable TRIM by typing:
fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0
4. Optimize Power Settings for Performance
Windows’ power-saving settings can slow down the SSD to save energy. To fix this:
- You can do this by opening Control Panel → Power Options.
- Choose High Performance mode.
- Under Change plan settings, make sure “Turn off hard disk” is Never.
With a power management adjustment, you will stop the SSD from entering a low-power state, which reduces the performance. It is one of the steps you need to take to learn how to optimize an SSD drive.
5. Clean Up and Defragment Properly
Do not use standard disk defragmentation tools on SSDs; they wear them out quickly. Instead, take advantage of the built-in Optimize Drives tool by doing the following:
- Also, search for Defragment and Optimize drives in the Start menu.
- Choose your SSD → Click on Optimize.
But what this does is a safe TRIM method, not a physical defrag, making the drive safe and fast.
Additional Info: For users who want to recover lost data from SSD, they can use the SysTools SSD Drive Recovery Tool to restore the files that were lost.
6. Disable Superfetch and Prefetch
In Windows, Superfetch and Prefetch are features that pre-load commonly used data into RAM to help alleviate HDD performance. On SSDs, it can create unnecessary read/write cycles.
To disable:
- Open Run → type services.msc.
- Find Superfetch (or SysMain on Windows 10/11) and Prefetch.
- Right-click the mouse and choose the Properties → Disable → OK.
This is yet another great cog in the series of how to optimize SSD drive that cuts down on background activity.
Final Thoughts
Now you know precisely how to speed up SSD drive speed in effective ways, from AHCI and TRIM activation to power settings and firmware optimizations. By utilizing these optimizations, you can improve and optimize your SSD such that it will also last a lot longer.