How to know if the external drive is SSD or HDD

Choosing the specific type of external drive you want helps you learn essential details. A Solid-State Drive (SSD) stores data in flash memory and runs much faster than a traditional hard disk drive. HDDs, unlike SSDs, use disks that rotate and magnetic threads to find material.

Knowing the difference can help you determine your needs and understand how the drive performs. If you have speeds faster than 150 MBps, you likely own an SSD.

On the other hand, an older device with slower speeds might be an HDD. You can also listen for noise; SSDs run quietly, while HDDs produce a faint whirring sound. Checking the drive’s label or product description can provide additional details.

Whether you use a Windows or Mac system, specific steps can help you determine what type of drive you have. Understanding these distinctions ensures that your data storage meets your needs.

What to Know about the external drive is SSD or HDD.

• To determine the type of hard disk you’re using in Windows, search for ‘defrag’ and then select ‘Disk drives’ in Device Manager.
• To determine the type of hard drive in your Mac, go to the Apple menu, select ‘About This Mac,’ and then ‘Storage.’
• SSDs provide significantly greater speeds than traditional hard drives.

This article explains how to tell if your system has an SSD or an HDD on both Mac and Windows machines.

Identifying Your Drive Type on Windows

To identify if an external drive is SSD or HDD in Windows, you can follow these methods:

Using the Defrag Tool

• Open the “Search” bar
• Type “Defragment”
• Select “Defragment and Optimize Drives
• Check the “Media type” column
• SSD or HDD will be shown

1- Running a PowerShell Command

• Right-click “Start”
• Choose “Windows PowerShell”
• Enter: `Get-PhysicalDisk`
• Look under “MediaType”
• It’s marked as SSD or HDD

2- Checking in Device Manager

• Press `Windows + X`
• Select “Device Manager”
• Find “Disk drives.”
• Right-click your drive
• Select “Properties.”
• Check under “Details.”
• It’s labeled as SSD or HDD

Also Explore: SSD Advantages and Disadvantages

Identifying Your Drive Type on macOS

Using System Information

• Open “Finder”
• Go to “Applications”
• Click “Utilities.”
• Open “System Information”
• Select “Storage”
• Check under “Medium Type”
• It shows an SSD or HDD

Why Your Hard Drive Type Matters?

Understanding whether your drive is an SSD or an HDD is essential.

• SSDs are faster, boosting performance. They help computers start up quickly.
• HDDs are cheaper and suitable for extra storage. Identifying your drive type lets you choose the best fit for your needs.

FAQs

How to tell if an external hard drive is an SSD or HDD?

Verify your external hard disk’s speed and noise level to determine whether it is an SSD or an HDD. SSDs are quick and quiet, suitable for speed lovers. HDDs make a low whirring noise but are cheaper and ideal for storing more data. Check the product label or use computer settings to confirm.

How do I identify my external hard drive?

First, check the device label for specifications to identify your external hard drive. If unavailable, connect the drive to your computer and use “Device Manager” on Windows or “System Information” on macOS to view drive details. Look for speed and noise—fast, quiet drives are SSDs, while noisier, slower ones are likely HDDs.

Can I use both SSD and HDD in the same system? 

Yes, you can put both SSDs and HDDs in a single system. This combination provides the benefits of both worlds. An SSD speeds up your system, making it quick to load apps, while the HDD offers extra space for files. Such a setup is both efficient and practical.

How will upgrading to an SSD benefit my system? 

Changing to an SSD can significantly boost your system’s performance. If your smartphone is slow to load up or apps need longer to launch, the update will help.  An SSD makes your computer run faster and more efficiently. If you need better performance, consider this change for faster computing.

Conclusion

Knowing whether your external drive is an SSD or HDD is essential. SSDs are faster, boosting computer performance significantly. They help with quick startups and swift data access. HDDs offer more storage space at a lower cost. Each type serves different needs and budgets. For fast performance, an SSD is the best choice. 

An HDD is ideal for more storage. Use device settings to identify your drive type quickly. Listening to noise and checking speeds can also help. Understanding these differences guides better storage decisions and ensures your device works efficiently based on your requirements.