How to Boost Hard Drive Performance on Windows 10 [A Step-by-Step Tutorial]

Have you ever experienced the frustration of a slow-booting PC? If so, the culprit is most likely the sluggish speed of your hard drive. While this could primarily be due to low disk space or an outdated hard drive, you might be wondering: what's the solution? How can you boost the hard drive speed on Windows 10?

No need to worry anymore; you can quickly fix it! The long-awaited solution is finally here! In this post, we aim to provide you with some of the most effective methods to address this issue. Let's delve into the details without further ado.

Why Does My Hard Drive Become Slower?

It's an undeniable truth that the performance of hard drives tends to deteriorate over time, but the key factors contributing to this decline are worth exploring. Several causes can impact a hard drive's efficiency, including: 1. Natural Wear and Tear: Just like any mechanical device, hard drives experience wear with usage. Over time, the read/write heads and spinning disks can become less precise, leading to slower data access. 2. Fragmentation: As files are created, modified, and deleted, the data on the hard drive can become scattered, causing the drive to work harder to retrieve information, thus slowing down its performance. 3. Bad Sectors: Over time, hard drives may develop bad sectors, which are areas on the disk where data cannot be reliably stored or retrieved. This can lead to slower read/write operations and decreased performance. 4. Overheating: Continuous usage or operating in a poorly ventilated environment can cause a hard drive to overheat, potentially resulting in reduced performance and even damage. 5. Outdated Firmware: The firmware controlling the hard drive's operations may become outdated, leading to inefficiencies and slower performance. Regular updates can help maintain optimal functionality. 6. High Disk Usage: Constantly running applications or processes can keep the hard drive busy, leading to higher disk usage and slower performance. 7. Viruses and Malware: Infections can negatively affect a hard drive's performance by causing system slowdowns, excessive resource consumption, or corrupting files. Understanding these factors can help users take preventive measures to prolong their hard drive's lifespan and maintain optimal performance.

• Temporary files
• Low disk space
• Bad sector on the hard drive
• Multiple background applications
• Physical issues with mechanical components

These are some of the primary reasons that slow down the hard drive and frustrate Windows users with slow PC boots. You can run an HDD benchmark test to obtain accurate data on the hard drive's speed. Next, we will proceed to present ten methods to boost your hard drive's performance.

Here, we'll present the top 10 most effective methods to boost the hard drive speed on Windows 10. Therefore, follow the comprehensive guide and steps below to maximize your hard drive's performance.

Method 1: Partition the Disk

Disk partitioning, or dividing your hard drive storage into multiple sections, is always beneficial for your PC to access data efficiently. Generally, data stored in these partitions are more organized compared to keeping everything in a single massive drive. The tools Partition Master is one of the leading software options available in the market. This tool offers numerous advanced features along with an intuitive user interface.

Key Features of Partition Master Tools

Aside from disk partitioning, the software also provides a tool for testing hard drive speed. This tool is called DiskMark and can be obtained from the discovery section. Below is a list of its features:

• Resize/extend/shrink partitions
• Split/merge partitions on SSD/USB
• Move unallocated space to the C drive
• 1-Click tool to test SSD read/write speed
• Speed up hard drive by extending partition or disk partitioning

In the next part, you'll see how Partition Master helps extend partitions.

Method 2: Extend Partition to Gain More Space

Insufficient disk space is another significant factor causing your hard drive to operate slowly. You can effectively boost the speed of your hard drive by expanding its partition. The exclusive and comprehensive partitioning functionality of the tool Partition Master enables users to extend partitions and allocate more space to their PC. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Locate the Target Partition.

Go to Partition Manager and locate the target partition, then select "Resize/Move".

Step 2. Extend the Target Partition.

Slide the partition panel left or right to add the unallocated space to your current partition, then click "OK" to confirm.

Additional Option: Obtain Space from Another Drive

If there isn't enough unallocated space on your disk, right-click on a large partition with sufficient free space and select "Allocate Space".

Then select the target partition that you want to extend at the Allocate space to column.

Step 3. Execute Operations to Extend Partition.

Drag the dots of the target partition into the unallocated space and click "OK".

Click the "Execute Task" button and then "Apply" to save all the changes.

Way 3: Enable Write Caching

You can enhance the hard drive speed by utilizing Windows' Enable Write Caching feature. This function typically allows the physical memory and RAM to accumulate write commands, which are then transmitted to the storage device, such as a hard drive. However, enabling write caching may lead to data loss or corruption, so it's recommended to back up your data before proceeding. To activate this feature, follow these steps: 1. Right-click on the Start menu and select "Device Manager." 2. In the Device Manager window, expand the "Disk Drives" category. 3. Locate your hard drive in the list and right-click on it. Choose "Properties." 4. In the Properties window, click on the "Policies" tab. 5. Check the box next to "Enable write caching on the disk." 6. If available, check the box for "Write through" to ensure data integrity in case of power failures. 7. Click "OK" to apply the changes. Remember to save any unsaved work and shut down applications before enabling write caching to minimize the risk of data loss. Additionally, having a reliable power source or using a battery backup unit can help prevent issues caused by sudden power outages.

Step 1. Left-click the Windows button, search for Device Manager, and press enter.

Step 2. Expand the "Disk drives" section in the Device Manager window. Next, double-click on the drive for which you want to enable write caching.

Step 3. Go to the Policies tab, select Enable write caching on the device, and click OK.

Repeat the same steps on all the storage devices associated with your PC and see the outcome.

Method 4: Optimize Drives

Drive optimization can also be an effective method to boost the hard drive speed on Windows 10. Follow the steps outlined below to successfully carry out the drive optimization process: 1. Press the "Windows" key + "I" to open Settings. 2. In the Settings window, click on "System." 3. From the System menu, select "Storage" on the left-hand side. 4. Under the Storage section, scroll down and click on "Optimize drives" or "Drive Optimization." 5. A new window will open showing a list of all available drives on your system. Select the drive you want to optimize (usually the C: drive). 6. Click on "Optimize" or "Defragment and Optimize" to start the process. 7. Wait for the optimization process to complete. This may take some time, depending on the size of the drive and the amount of data it contains. 8. Once finished, you'll see a message indicating that the selected drive has been optimized. 9. Close the window. Regularly performing this drive optimization helps maintain the performance of your hard drive and can improve overall system responsiveness. You can schedule automatic drive optimization by clicking "Change settings" in the Drive Optimization window and enabling the "Run on a schedule" option.

Step 1. Right-click the Windows main menu button and select the Run option from the list.

Step 2. In the Run window, type "cmd" and press the Enter button to open the Command Prompt.

Step 3. After the Command Prompt window appears, type dfrgui and press Enter. This will open the Optimize Drives window.

Step 4. Choose the drive you wish to optimize and click the Optimize button.

Method 5: Run the CHKDSK Command

If your hard drive is exhibiting poor performance, the chkdsk /f /r command can assist in identifying and repairing bad sectors on the hard drive. This command helps recover the affected areas, ultimately enhancing the speed of your hard drive. To execute the chkdsk command correctly, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows Start menu and select "Run" from the list.

Step 2. Next, in the Run window, type cmd and run Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Step 3. Next, type chkdsk [Drive Name]: /f /r /x and press Enter. In this example, the E drive is used.

Here, the /f stands for fixing any errors found on the disk, and /r stands for locating bad sectors and recovering data from them.

Method 6: Remove Unwanted Files and Applications

Removing unwanted files and applications can notably boost the hard drive's performance. To enhance your hard drive's efficiency, it's advisable to conduct a thorough system check and eliminate all duplicate files and unneeded applications. Here are the steps to uninstall an unused application: 1. **Access the Control Panel**: On Windows, search for "Control Panel" in the Start menu or Cortana, and open it. On macOS, click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences." 2. **Choose Uninstall Program**: In the Control Panel (Windows), click on "Programs," then "Programs and Features." On a Mac, click on "Users & Groups," followed by your username, "Library," "Applications," and find the app you want to remove. 3. **Find the Application**: Scroll through the list of installed programs (Windows) or applications (macOS) to locate the one you want to uninstall. 4. **Uninstall the Application**: Once found, click on the application and then "Uninstall" (Windows) or drag the app to the Trash (macOS). Confirm any prompts that appear during the uninstall process. 5. **Empty the Trash**: After uninstalling, make sure to empty your trash or recycle bin to free up space (Windows: right-click Recycle Bin, then "Empty Recycle Bin"; macOS: right-click Trash, then "Empty Trash"). 6. **Remove Remaining Files and Folders**: Sometimes, apps leave behind residual files. Use a cleanup tool like CCleaner (Windows) or CleanMyMac (macOS) to identify and remove these leftovers. 7. **Defragment the Hard Drive (Windows Only)**: Although modern SSDs don't require defragmentation, if you're using a traditional HDD, consider defragmenting your hard drive to optimize its performance. Go to "Optimize Drives" in the Start menu, select your primary drive, and click "Optimize." 8. **Scan for Duplicate Files**: Use a duplicate file finder tool, such as Auslogics Duplicate File Finder (Windows) or Gemini 2 (macOS), to locate and delete duplicate files that could be taking up space. By following these steps, you'll not only free up space but also improve your hard drive's speed and overall system performance.

Step 1. Press the Windows key and search for Control Panel. Once you find it, open the Control Panel window and click on the Programs option.

Step 2. Click on the "Uninstall a program" option under the "Programs and Features" section.

Step 3. From the list, select the application you wish to remove, right-click on it, and then click on the 'Uninstall' option.

Method 7: Run Disk Cleanup

The Windows Disk Cleanup feature helps improve your hard drive's performance. It typically scans your computer's storage device and deletes temporary files, resulting in enhanced HDD performance. To run Disk Cleanup, follow these steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows Start menu and select "Run" from the list.

Step 2. Type cleanmgr and press Enter.

Step 3. Choose the drive you want to clean up and click OK.

Step 4. Under Files to delete, select the files you wish to remove and click OK.

Step 5. Wait for the completion of the file deletion process.

Way 8: Disable Virtual Memory/Paging File

Disabling virtual memory or the paging file can potentially enhance your hard drive's performance if it's slow and you're running low on disk space. Here are the steps to follow to disable virtual memory: 1. **Access System Properties**: Right-click on the 'This PC' or 'My Computer' icon on your desktop or in File Explorer, and select 'Properties'. 2. **Open Advanced System Settings**: In the left panel of the System window that opens, click on 'Advanced system settings'. 3. **Click on Settings under Performance**: In the System Properties window, go to the 'Advanced' tab, then under the 'Performance' section, click on the 'Settings' button. 4. **Select the Advanced Tab**: In the Performance Options window, click on the 'Advanced' tab. 5. **Change Virtual Memory Settings**: Under the 'Virtual Memory' section, click on the 'Change' button. 6. **Disable Paging File**: In the Virtual Memory window, ensure that the 'Automatically manage paging file size for all drives' option is unchecked. Then, select the drive where your operating system is installed (usually drive C:) and choose 'No paging file' from the 'Custom size' option. Click 'Set' to apply the changes. 7. **Confirm Changes**: A warning will appear about the potential risks of disabling the paging file. If you're sure you want to proceed, click 'Yes'. Finally, click 'OK' on both the Virtual Memory and System Properties windows to save the changes. Remember, disabling virtual memory may affect system stability and performance, especially if you have limited RAM. It's recommended to only do this if you have a specific reason, such as a severe shortage of disk space or specific troubleshooting instructions.

Step 1. Click the Windows main menu and search for the Settings option.

Step 2. Navigate to System > About > Advanced system settings from the left sidebar.

Step 3. Click on the Advanced tab, and under the Performance section, click on Settings.

Step 4. Click on the Advanced tab again, and under Virtual Memory, click on the Change option.

Step 5. In the new window, disable the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" option; then select the "No paging file" option and click OK.

Step 6. Choose Apply, then click OK.

Method 9: Delete Temporary Files

Deleting temporary files from your computer can significantly boost your hard drive's speed. It's advisable to regularly remove these files to optimize your HDD's performance. To delete temporary Windows files, follow these steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows button and select "Run" from the menu.

Step 2. In the Run window, type "temp" and press Enter to access the temporary files folder.

Step 3. Press Ctrl + A to select all temporary files, then press Shift + Delete to permanently erase them.

Step 4. If it is unable to delete any files because they are currently in use, skip those files.

Step 5. Follow the previous steps to open the Run window again, type %temp%, and hit Enter.

Step 6. Permanently delete all the files inside it.

Way 10: Upgrade to an SSD (Solid State Drive)

We recommend upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive). If your operating system is installed on your hard drive, your PC's boot-up time will be longer. To enhance your disk's speed, using an SSD is recommended. The read and write speeds of any SSD are typically 500 to 600 Mbps faster than those of a hard drive.

Conclusion

In this post, we've outlined the top 10 most effective methods to boost the speed of your hard drive on Windows 10. Experiment with all of them to determine which works best for your specific needs. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask us in the comments section.

By the way, you might also be interested in:

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Increase Hard Drive Speed on Windows 10

Here, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions that may clarify your doubts. Please read them thoroughly.

< strong >1. How do I fix a slow hard drive in Windows 10?< / strong >

You can improve a slow hard drive's performance by uninstalling unnecessary programs, upgrading to a larger hard drive, changing the SATA cable port, and removing junk files from the drive.

2. Why is my HDD so slow?

If your HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is performing very slowly, there can be various reasons behind it, such as hardware failure, a damaged disk, logical errors, bad sectors, or inadequate power supply to the HDD port.

3. How do I make my hard drive perform like an SSD?

If you wish to make your hard drive perform as swiftly as an SSD, you should adhere to the methods outlined below:

• Delete temporary files
• Enable write caching
• Drive optimization
• Disable virtual memory paging files