What is TRIM and why is it important for SSDs?

TRIM is a command that enables an operating system to inform a solid-state drive (SSD) which data blocks are no longer in use and can be wiped internally. This helps the SSD maintain its performance and prolong its lifespan. Without TRIM, an SSD would become slower over time as the drive's cells become full and it has to overwrite data. TRIM helps to prevent this by allowing the SSD to erase data that is no longer needed, allowing it to run more efficiently.

How can I check if TRIM is enabled on my Windows computer?

You can check if TRIM is enabled on your Windows computer by opening the Command Prompt and typing in the command “fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify”. If the output is “DisableDeleteNotify = 0”, then TRIM is enabled. If the output is “DisableDeleteNotify = 1”, then TRIM is disabled.

Is it possible to enable TRIM on an SSD if it was not enabled by default?

Yes, it is possible to enable TRIM on an SSD if it was not enabled by default. The exact steps to do this will depend on the operating system you are using, but in general, you will need to use a command line utility to enable the feature.

Can TRIM improve the performance of my SSD?

Yes, TRIM can improve the performance of an SSD by helping the drive to manage its free space more efficiently. TRIM works by actively deleting data that is no longer needed, which helps the drive to access data faster and more efficiently.

Are there any downsides to enabling TRIM on an SSD?

Yes, enabling TRIM on an SSD can reduce the lifespan of the drive due to increased write operations. Additionally, TRIM can decrease performance on some drives, as it requires additional write operations to maintain the drive's performance.

Check TRIM Operability & Enable It: Easy Steps

Author: Vladimir Artiukh
Editor: Oleg Afonin
Updated: 8.05.2024 8:52

Learn how to ensure TRIM functionality is working and enable it if needed in this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, discover step-by-step instructions and essential tips to verify and enable TRIM for optimal SSD performance. Dive deep into TRIM verification techniques and explore insider strategies to maximize the lifespan and efficiency of your SSD.

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However, it is not enough to have your drive support this technology – it should also be enabled in your operating system and work properly.

Contents

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Check, Enable and Interact With TRIM in Windows

It should be reminded that TRIM is a controller technology that accelerates the drive’s work greatly by notifying it of the blocks which are no longer in the file system and which can be cleaned in a physical way. Generally speaking, it is necessary to ensure speed and stability of work.

To see if TRIM is enabled in your system, we will need the Command Prompt.

To start the Command Prompt, press Win+R and in the Run windows that appears type in cmd. The command prompt utility is usually located in the folder C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe and you can start it from there (preferably, like this: Right-click -> Run as administrator).

In the console that appears, enter the command:
fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

The answer will be one or two lines with the value 0 / 1 as a result.

CMD: fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

The first line (NTFS) accounts for the file system NTFS, and the second – for the server file system ReFS. If you’re not using Windows Server, you should be interested in the first line only.

Now, explanations:

0 – it means everything is all right and TRIM is enabled;
1 – TRIM is disabled at the system level.

If you have value «1» it is recommended to enable TRIM in order to greatly accelerate performance of your SSD. To do it, enter the command:

fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify NTFS 0
or
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify ReFS 0
for one or the other file system, respectively.

If you get an error Access denied, repeat the procedure by starting the console as an administrator (above, we have shown how it can be done). After enabling or disabling the function, it is better to restart the computer.

Still, it is not enough to enable or disable TRIM at the system level. It is important that the controller should support all functions of this technology and work correctly, and it is time to check it.

Download the program TRIMcheck for 32-bit or 64-bit version of the operating system (depending on what kind of Windows you have), place the program file onto the corresponding SSD (which you want to check), start it (better do it as an administrator) and press Enter.

Wait for the script to complete its work and press Enter again. After that make sure you have waited from 20 seconds to several minutes and only then start the program again.

The result will be either «TRIM appears to be WORKING!» and it means everything works perfectly.

Check TRIM Operability & Enable It: Easy Steps

Or Appears to be NOT WORKING, which means that TRIM is not activated. In this case, you’ll have to do the following:

Make sure that in BIOS the controller mode SATA is set as ACHI, and not as IDE, RAID or in any other way;
Make sure, as we have done it before, that Windows has enabled TRIM and even if you did that, disable and then re-enable it (restarting the computer after each action);
Update your motherboard drivers and especially for the ACHI controller which can be done from the manufacturer’s website, or;
Install the latest firmware for your SSD (go to the manufacturer’s website to learn how to do it).