Determining whether your Windows computer has an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) can be done through several methods. Here are three effective ways to check the type of storage drive your computer uses:
Method 1: Using Disk Defragmenter
- Open Disk Defragmenter: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type
dfrgui, and press Enter. - Check Media Type: In the Disk Defragmenter window, look for the “Media type” column. This column will list whether your drive is an SSD or an HDD.
Method 2: Using PowerShell
- Open PowerShell as Admin: Right-click on the Start button and select PowerShell (Admin).
- Run Command: In the PowerShell window, type
Get-PhysicalDiskand press Enter. - Identify Disk Type: The command will output a list of all physical disks connected to your computer. Check the “MediaType” parameter to identify whether each disk is an SSD or HDD.
Method 3: Using System Information
- Access System Information: Right-click on the Start button, click on Run, type
msinfo32, and click OK. - Navigate to Disk Info: In the System Information window, navigate to Components > Storage > Disks.
- Review Disk Details: The right pane will show detailed information about the hard disk installed on your computer. Look for the entry next to “Media Type” to determine the type of drive. Note that this method might not always specify clearly whether the disk is SSD or HDD, but it provides comprehensive hardware details.
Additional Tips
- Check Disk Speed: SSDs generally have faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs. If your disk performs exceptionally fast, it’s likely an SSD.
- Noise and Heat: HDDs tend to produce more noise and heat due to moving parts, whereas SSDs are quieter and cooler.
- Physical Inspection: If you’re comfortable with hardware, you can physically inspect your computer. SSDs are typically smaller and lighter than HDDs.
Using these methods, you can easily determine the type of storage drive in your Windows computer, helping you to better understand your system’s capabilities and plan for upgrades or maintenance.
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
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