It appears unnecessary to utilize the vendor’s software for trimming. However, while there is confidence that Windows 10 trim function is operational, the “enable trim” checkbox in the WD Dashboard is unchecked, leaving uncertainty about the true status of trim.
As a result, the preferred method for verifying trim status is through online means:
fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify
The outcome is “0 (disabled)” indicating that trim is activated. It’s uncertain if this information is sufficient, and it’s unclear why there isn’t a user interface to display such vital details.
Additionally, there’s a query regarding whether Windows will perform trim when a complete partition is deleted?
2 Answers
Introduction
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are a popular storage option for computers due to their fast read and write speeds. One of the challenges with SSDs is that they can slow down over time due to how they handle deleted data. To combat this, the TRIM command was introduced. TRIM helps to optimize SSD performance by informing the drive which blocks of data are no longer in use and can be erased. In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not Western Digital Dashboard is required for SSD trimming.
What is Western Digital Dashboard?
Western Digital Dashboard is a software application designed to help users monitor, manage, and optimize their Western Digital drives. The software allows users to view drive information, run diagnostics, and perform firmware updates. It also includes a feature for enabling TRIM on SSDs.
Is Western Digital Dashboard Required for SSD Trimming?
The short answer is no, Western Digital Dashboard is not required for SSD trimming. TRIM is a command built into the ATA specification for SSDs. This means that any operating system that supports the ATA specification can send TRIM commands to an SSD without the need for additional software.
Windows 10, for example, has built-in support for TRIM. When an SSD is connected to a Windows 10 computer, the operating system will automatically detect the drive and enable TRIM. Users can confirm that TRIM is enabled by running the command “fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify” in the Command Prompt. If the result is “0(disabled)”, TRIM is enabled.
Why Use Western Digital Dashboard for SSD Trimming?
While Western Digital Dashboard is not required for SSD trimming, it can be a useful tool for managing and optimizing Western Digital drives. The software includes a feature for enabling TRIM on SSDs, as well as other optimization features such as disk optimization and drive health monitoring.
Enabling TRIM through Western Digital Dashboard can be useful for users who want an easy way to enable TRIM without having to use the Command Prompt. Additionally, the software provides a user-friendly interface for managing and monitoring Western Digital drives.
Will Windows Do TRIM When Deleting a Whole Partition?
Yes, Windows will perform TRIM when deleting a whole partition. When a partition is deleted, the operating system sends a TRIM command to the SSD to inform it that the data on the partition is no longer in use and can be erased. This helps to optimize SSD performance and ensure that deleted data is fully erased.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Western Digital Dashboard is not required for SSD trimming. TRIM is a built-in command in the ATA specification for SSDs, and any operating system that supports the specification can send TRIM commands to an SSD. However, Western Digital Dashboard can be a useful tool for managing and optimizing Western Digital drives. Windows 10 also has built-in support for TRIM and will automatically enable the feature when an SSD is connected. When deleting a whole partition, Windows will perform TRIM to optimize SSD performance.
The purpose of the checkbox in the WD software may be to manually trigger a regular TRIM operation using that software. Assuming TRIM is enabled in Windows, it will automatically execute on a schedule through the Disk Optimization tool, which performs the same function as defragmentation but TRIMs SSDs instead.
By accessing the disk properties and navigating to Disk Optimization, you can determine the type of disk and the action it will take:
If you examine the interface, you will see that SSDs are labeled as “optimize” rather than “defragment.”
Upon clicking “optimize” for a particular drive, the tool will display the percentage of trim, such as “25% trimmed,” rather than the percentage of defragmentation.
The TRIM operation typically does not require significant time to complete. Based on the command output, it appears that TRIM is already enabled.