This article explains how to enable the TRIM command for SSD drives in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7, and how to verify if the feature is active. The TRIM command is supported by default in these operating systems, but it may be disabled in some cases. TRIM helps maintain high SSD performance by clearing data from unused memory cells, preserving write speeds. We also cover alternative methods for enabling TRIM on older operating systems and external SSDs.
What is TRIM?
The TRIM command helps maintain SSD performance throughout the device’s lifespan. It clears data from memory cells that are no longer in use, speeding up subsequent write operations.
Checking if TRIM is Enabled
To check the TRIM status, use an elevated Command Prompt. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (in Windows 11 and 10, search for “Command Prompt” in the taskbar, right-click, and select Run as administrator).
2. Enter the command:
fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify
3. Press Enter.
The results may appear as follows:
– DisableDeleteNotify = 0 — TRIM is enabled.
– DisableDeleteNotify = 1 — TRIM is disabled.
If the value is 0, TRIM is enabled and functioning. If it is 1, TRIM is disabled.
In Windows 10 and earlier versions, the result may differ, such as NTFS DisableDeleteNotify = 0 (disabled), but in earlier Windows 10 versions, this indicates that TRIM is enabled.
A “not set” status indicates that TRIM support is not currently enabled for the SSD with the specified file system, but it will be activated upon connecting such an SSD.
Enabling TRIM in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7
TRIM should activate automatically when an SSD is connected, but if it doesn’t, follow these steps:
1. Open the SSD properties in File Explorer (right-click the drive and select Properties).
2. On the Tools tab, click Optimize.
3. In the Optimize Drives window, check the Media type column. If the drive is listed as Hard disk drive instead of Solid state drive, this may be why TRIM support is disabled.
4. To ensure the system correctly identifies the SSD, run the command:
winsat diskformal
5. After the disk performance analysis, reopen the Optimize Drives window and verify if TRIM is enabled.
Manually Enabling TRIM
If the SSD is correctly identified but TRIM is not enabled, you can activate it manually via the Command Prompt:
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. To enable TRIM for the NTFS file system, run:
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify NTFS 0
3. To enable TRIM for the ReFS file system, run:
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify ReFS 0
To disable TRIM, use the value 1 instead of 0.
Additional Information
Some additional details may be helpful for configuring TRIM:
– TRIM support for external SSDs: TRIM typically does not work on external SSDs connected via USB, as it is a SATA command. However, for external SSDs with Thunderbolt support, TRIM may be enabled.
– TRIM support in Windows XP and Vista: These operating systems do not support TRIM, but it can be enabled using older versions of Intel SSD Toolbox or Samsung Magician. Other tools, such as O&O Defrag, can also enable TRIM on these systems.
Now you know how to check and enable the TRIM command for your SSD, ensuring high performance throughout its operational life.
