Best Methods to Optimize Your PC's SSD to increase performance

Solid State Drive capacities are continually increasing as costs continue to plummet. Mid-range laptops and desktop PCs with a moderately big (500GB+) SSD are becoming increasingly widespread. Each of these new (SSD) Solid State Drives that are replacing old platter-based HDDs in daily usage will need to be optimised, and most users are likely unaware of the differences in setup processes and routine maintenance for SSDs versus HDDs.

A SSD is incredibly fast in and of itself, but one that has been correctly installed and configured will deliver even faster speeds, higher reliability, and a longer lifespan. The suggestions and modifications provided here will allow you to fully utilise your new SSD installed in a Windows PC.

SSD vs. HDD

Most computers have a hard drive, which stores your operating system, programmes, images, and music. They are so sluggish because they use a spinning disc that cannot access data as rapidly as a solid-state drive (SSD).

If you have an SSD in your laptop or desktop PC, you'll be relieved to know that there are several simple methods to improve its performance. In reality, most new PCs include both types of drives, which implies that solid-state storage drive modifications can result in significant performance benefits.

1.Enable the AHCI Mode.

AHCI mode is sometimes mistaken with IDE mode. The IDE mode is intended to make it easier to add & remove hardware components, but it has a speed penalty. AHCI, or advanced host controller interface, on the other hand, employs a more streamlined technique that does not necessitate as much overhead, resulting in a quicker computer overall.

To optimise your SSD, change the IDE mode in your BIOS to AHCI. However, you must do this prior to installing your Windows operating system. Otherwise, your computer will not boot correctly. It will just compel you to format and reinstall Windows in the proper manner.

However, it is feasible to enable AHCI mode on a Windows installation that is running in IDE mode. This requires access to the register. Here's how it's done:

• By hitting the Windows + R shortcut, you may access the Run menu.
• To open the Registry Editor, type regedit and hit Enter.
• Change the reg dword start value from 3 to 0 in

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\services\iaStorV

• Next, go to this address:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci

• Change the reg dword start value to 0 in
• After you've completed these two adjustments, restart your computer and enter BIOS mode.
• Now, go from IDE to AHCI mode.

2.Schedules should be optimised.

Windows 11 has an application for regularly optimising your discs. A weekly timetable is often recommended by professionals. To accomplish this:

• Go to the bottom of your screen and click the Windows symbol.
• Enter Tools and then select the Windows Tools programme.
• Select the drive you wish to optimise and double-click Defragment and Optimize Drives.
• To change the automated optimising schedule, choose Optimize the drive and/or Change Settings.

3.Turn on write caching.

Write caching is a feature that leverages system memory to temporarily queue write orders until the SSD is ready to write them to the disc. It improves performance since programmes don't have to wait for the SSD to boot up. This functionality is usually enabled by default, but if it isn't, you can turn it on:

• At the bottom of your screen, click the Windows symbol.
• To launch the Device Manager programme, type Device and click on it.
• Double-click Disk Drives, then choose the desired drive.
• Check the box next to "Enable write caching on the device" on the Policies tab.

4.Turn off indexing.

Indexing was created in Windows to speed up file searches by establishing an index of file locations. This was useful when you had a hard disc drive (HDD), but the increasing speed and performance of SSDs has largely eliminated the necessity for it. Disabling it prevents the function from utilising CPU cycles and also prevents the system from repeatedly writing to the SSD, which might cause excessive wear. To turn off indexing:

• Go to the bottom of your screen and click the Windows symbol.
• Enter file explorer and click the Open File Explorer button.
• Right-click on the drive you wish to inspect and choose Properties.
• Uncheck the option next to "Allow files on this disc to have their contents as well as file properties indexed."
• Select Apply and then OK.

5. Choose a direct-to-CPU NVMe connection.

NVMe (non-volatile memory express) is a storage protocol with great performance and scalability. NVMe is built on parallel high-speed/low-latency PCIe lanes and interfaces to the CPU directly through a PCIe interface. This direct-to-CPU connection can attain speeds that are more than twice as fast as typical SAS and SATA connections.

6.Don't overlook Game Mode.

With Windows 10, Microsoft introduced Game Mode in an effort to enhance game optimization. The functionality allows your game to use additional CPU and GPU resources while restricting resources to background programmes. Game Mode's original prototype was a touch bumpy, but it now operates as it should and can provide greater performance in specific instances. To make it possible:

• At the bottom of your screen, click the Windows symbol.
• To launch the Game mode settings programme, type game mode and select the Game mode settings application.
• Slide the Game Mode slider to the On position.

7.Use Duplicate Files Fixer

Despite the fact that there is a lot of competition and different duplicate media removal solutions on the market, Duplicate Files Fixer remains one of the quickest duplicate file cleaning applications for Windows, Mac, and Android users. TechRadar has made similar accusations as well. Using this fantastic duplicate file remover, you can rapidly find and remove identical and similar-looking photographs, videos, documents, audio files, and more from Google Drive, Dropbox, and mobile phones.

It also helps users to locate and eliminate empty files, which use unneeded storage space. To eliminate duplicates from cellphones, a Mobile SmartScan capability was recently implemented.

Conclusion:

One of the most prevalent criticisms levelled at Solid State Drives (SSDs) is their slow performance, especially when compared to traditional hard disc drives (HDDs). Although SSDs are substantially quicker than HDDs, they are still not as fast as many users would prefer.

Fortunately, there are a number of Windows changes that may assist optimise your SSD so that it works quicker and more consistently while retaining the safety and performance benefits inherent in SSD technology. This article discusses how to ensure that your SSD is properly configured on Windows.