Windows: 7 Ways to Improve Hard Drive Performance
Anyone who has ever used a Windows PC knows that Microsoft's system is known to slow down the PC over time. With many programs, files, and processes happening after a period of use, this turns out to be the worst consequence. Of course, those who use SSDs instead of hard drives do not have much of this problem, that with the arrival of Windows 10, this has improved a lot. Still, you can further improve the situation by using tools to improve the hard drive performance of your PC.
Not only for those who have more modern machines, but for those who still use a PC with an older Windows. If you're curious, just check out our top tips for improving Hard Drive performance below!
1. Windows tool
Nothing better than starting our list with a native Windows tool. Not only can it defragment, it can analyze drives on your PC to find out if something is wrong and then optimize it.
To use the tool, simply type "Defragment and optimize drives" into your Windows search bar. Then select the hard drive you want to check and select the option “Analyze” and then “Optimize”.
The process is not exactly as necessary on SSDs, but should definitely be done on HDDs once every few months. This is a quick and convenient way to improve Hard Drive performance.
2. Disk SpeedUp
Moving on to an external tool, we can recommend Disk SpeedUp. It also serves to defragment, analyze and optimize any hard drive that is connected to your computer.
Although it doesn't look all that different from the Windows tool, it has a few more options. You can even select to turn off your PC after optimizations.
This is great for not having to scan your computer all the time to see the process is over. Other than that, the entire interface of the app turns out to be more enjoyable and easy to use for those who don't have the habit of using hard drive performance enhancing tools. Check out more through the link.
3. IOBit Advanced SystemCare
Already IOBit Advanced SystemCare is a more complete and full of options. Not only can it optimize the hard drive, but it can also clean the disk of temporary and duplicate files.
Other than that, you can use it to check if your RAM and CPU are also optimized correctly. Overall, it is a great tool to make sure that various components of your PC are working well.
To improve HD performance with it, there is a free version and a paid version. It's worth mentioning that the free version includes everything you mention and pga only allows even deeper cleaning, monitoring and optimizations.
It is up to you what you find necessary for your PC, but we can say that normal version is already great. Check out more through the link.
4. Device Manager
Another option in Windows may be Device Manager itself. You can basically use this tool to increase the read and write speed of your hard drive.
This can be done by typing "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar. When you open the manager, go to the 'Disk Drive' option (usually the last one in the list) and click it.
This will open a smaller window in which you must click on the "Policies" tab. Here, simply click on the “Enable device caching” option to enable it if it is not already by default.
As already explained below the option itself, this improves the performance of Hard Drive. Just be aware that a device or power supply failure could result in data loss or corruption.
5. Razer Cortex
We know there are a lot of people who use the PC especially to play newer and heavier games. In such cases, the speed and performance of Hard Drive is even more important.
Of course for gamers it turns out to be much better to use SSDs, but if this is not an option we can recommend Razer Cortex. This tool was created with HD optimization already thinking about games.
It has a Booster option for the system and for games specifically. Basically, a way to improve HD speed in any situation you need.
The program can even clear temporary files, system cache and more. You can check more about the tool through the link.
6. Ashampoo WinOptimizer
Another good option you can use is Ashampoo WinOptimizer. The software caters for a little of everything when it comes to optimizing the PC and its components.
You can clean both your hard drive and your web browser, scan your hard drive and optimize it at any time. You can even schedule optimizations on specific days and times so you don't have to worry or remember that often.
Fortunately, the tool can be used completely for free on Windows. You can check out more through the link.
7. Volume Manager
Finally, we have one more Windows tool that can be used to improve Hard Drive performance. In this case, we'll use Volume Manager, so just type it into your system search bar to open its menu.
Basically, you can create several new partitions on your hard drive with this manager. The more partitions on the HD, the more separate and organized your data will be.
This way, your hard drive won't have to “struggle” to find the files when you select data or software. Of course, this requires unallocated free space on your hard drive, something that may not be available to anyone who has been using Hard Drive for some time.
Could you improve Hard Drive performance?
Could you take our tips on finding good tools to improve Hard Drive performance? Be sure to leave your comment telling us what you think and if you have another tool you would like to see in the list.