How to Perform a Disk Speed Test on Windows 11? 2024 Guide

Updated by

Tracy King 

Updated on May 14, 2024

Many users have shown enthusiasm for Windows 11, the newest Windows operating system, thanks to its numerous innovative and useful features. However, you might encounter performance issues, such as slow responsiveness or freezing, especially when you have multiple programs and applications running simultaneously.

A full C drive, high CPU usage, insufficient memory, and slow disk speed are common causes of a slow computer.

For most of us, the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) are the three most crucial components when it comes to performance. A free Partition Master tool is available online that can assist you in determining the speed of your hard drive. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to check the disk speed test in Windows 11 (which also applies to other Windows versions) and allows you to optimize your Windows 11 hard drive immediately.

"Checklist for Conducting a Disk Speed Test on Windows 11 in 2023"

Users of Windows 11 can refer to this article to learn how to perform an extensive disk speed test on their operating system.

How Can I Run Disk Speed Test on Windows 11? 2 Free Methods

This section offers two methods to perform a disk speed test in Windows 11:

1. 1. Use tools Partition Master, a disk speed testing software.
2. 2. Check Disk Speed with CMD

You can't choose which hard drive to use if you have more than one. Mistyping commands is common, and the output is ambiguous and can't be exported if you do.

With tools like Partition Master, Windows 11 users can easily perform disk speed tests without needing to remember command lines or undertake any complex procedures.

How to Perform a Disk Speed Test in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2023

Here, we'll dissect each procedure into its components. Adhere to the guidelines outlined below.

Method 1. Test HDD/SSD Speed with Partition Master Tool in 1 Click Method 2. Use CrystalDiskMark to Check Hard Drive Speed Method 3. Test SSD/HDD Speed with HD Tach Method 4. Measure Disk Transfer Speed via CMD Method 5. Check Disk Read/Write Speed in Windows 10 Task Manager Method 6. Test Disk Speed in Linux with dd Command Method 7. Measure Disk Speed on Mac with Activity Monitor

With the tool Partition Master, you can swiftly and effortlessly check the speed of your hard drive or solid-state drive with just one click.

With a single click, all Windows users can scan and test their disc speed using the DiskMark tool, which is included in the accessible version of Partition Master utilities.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the download button to activate the "DiskMark" feature under the "Tools" section.

Step 2. Click the drop-down box to select the target drive, test data, and block size.

Step 3. Once everything is set up, click "Start" to begin the disk test. You'll then see the Sequential or Random read/write speed, I/O, and Delay data.

Users can analyze the performance of their SATA SSD, M.2, and NVMe SSD disks, in addition to testing the speed of their hard drives. The software also supports testing external hard drives, USB drives, and all types of flash memory cards.

The DiskMark features under the Tools section of Partition Master include:

Here are the translations for the given languages into English: 1. Click a button to see how fast your HDD or SSD performs. 2. Inspect the I/O, read/write speeds, and latency times. 3. Provide a downloadable report outlining the user's test results. 4. Measure the speed of a hard drive using various external storage mediums like USB and SD cards.

If this method simply helped you test your disk speed in Windows 11, feel free to share this amazing tool with your friends online:

Method 2: Run Disk Speed Test on Windows 11 using CMD

In Windows 11, 10, and 7, you can use the Command Prompt to check the speed of your hard drive. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. From the Start Menu, choose Run as Administrator for the Command Prompt. (This might prevent a few issues.)

Step 2. Type "winsat disk" into the command prompt and wait a few moments; the read/write speeds will be displayed right away.

If you're seeking more reliable methods or tools for conducting a disk speed test, follow the tutorial pages below, and you'll find detailed guidance:

Bonus Tip: Read Disk Speed Test Results and Identify Factors Affecting Disk Performance

Discover the startling truths right now so you can acquire a hard drive that is genuinely faster. Before delving into the factors affecting HDD speed, let's first review the basics of how hard disk drives operate.

Data on a hard drive is physically stored on flat, circular disks called platters. Standard hard drives usually have one to four platters stacked together. The data is accessed by spinning these platters at high speeds and using a motorized arm to move a read/write head to the correct location on the platter.

Here are some common factors that slow down a Windows computer's disk and why it matters.

• PRM - It stands for Revolutions Per Minute and is the standard unit used to express the speed at which hard drive platters rotate. Increasing the platter speed enhances performance.
• Disk Density - Disk density factor refers to the measurement of how much disk capacity can be utilized to store data per unit of disk surface area. It is often stated as the number of bits or bytes of data that can be stored in a specific area. Higher disk density allows for more data storage in the same space, resulting in faster disk speeds and improved performance.
• SATA Version - The SATA version factor indicates the speed of an SATA hard drive, which depends on the version of the SATA interface it employs. SATA 3.0 drives are the fastest and generally provide the best performance.
• Disk Cache - Disk cache factor is a measure of the quantity of disk space set aside to store frequently accessed data. Disk caching enhances system speed and performance by enabling quicker access to commonly used data. A higher disk cache factor allocates more space for caching, leading to a greater speed boost.

[Important] How to Boost Disk Performance in Windows 11

Even though Windows 11 represents a significant improvement, there are numerous potential reasons for a computer's performance to decline. Be it an aging system or issues with the hard drive, there are strategies you can employ to enhance the speed of Windows. Alright, let's explore some Windows 11 optimization techniques. For that, continue reading for some recommendations.

• Degraded hard drive
• 4k align SSD
• Change cluster size
• Disable Startup Programs/Apps
• Debloat Windows 11
• Defragment Hard Disk
• Add More Memory to Windows 11 (RAM/SSD Upgrade)
• Disable Restartable Apps

tools Partition Master, as a reliable disk partition manager, also offers various features to enhance disk performance and speed. You can download this software and utilize its Formatting, Check File System, 4K alignment, change cluster size, and space analyzer functions to optimize a disk promptly.

Final Verdict

Hard disc drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) are vital because they store the software that enables your computer to function. The speed of your hard drive or SSD determines how quickly your computer can perform disk speed tests in Windows 11. Even with a powerful central processing unit (CPU) and ample random access memory (RAM), a slow hard drive can hinder your computer's performance. Hence, it's essential to check your hard drive's speed and enhance its performance using the mentioned options.

"Tools Partition Master" is the optimal choice for swift and effortless disk speed testing. It will scan your device and present a comprehensive report on its contents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Running Disk Speed Test on Windows 11

Here, we also cover some popular topics related to disk speed on Windows computers. If you're interested, feel free to explore and find answers here:

1. How to determine if Windows 11 runs smoothly on an HDD?

Step 1. In the search bar of the Start menu, type CMD, then right-click and select "Run as Administrator" (this might prevent some issues).

Step 2: After typing the command winsat formal and waiting a short while, you can view the results of your drive's read and write speeds.

2. How do I test my SSD speed? To test the speed of your Solid State Drive (SSD), you can use various benchmarking tools available for different operating systems. Here's a brief guide for Windows, macOS, and Linux: **For Windows:** 1. **CrystalDiskMark**: Download and run CrystalDiskMark from its official website (https://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskMark/). It will measure sequential and random read/write speeds. 2. **HD Tune Pro**: This software offers a free trial. It provides information about the drive's health, benchmarking, and error scanning. Download it from their website (http://www.hdtune.com/). **For macOS:** 1. **Blackmagic Disk Speed Test**: This is a free utility available on the Mac App Store. It measures both write and read speeds for your SSD. 2. ** AJA System Check**: A free tool designed for video professionals but also useful for testing storage speeds. Download it from the AJA website (https://www.aja.com/products/aja-system-check). **For Linux:** 1. **hdparm**: A built-in command-line utility that can provide some basic speed tests. Open a terminal and type `sudo hdparm -tT /dev/sda` (replace `/dev/sda` with your SSD's device name). 2. **fio**: Install fio (Flexible I/O Tester) using your package manager (`sudo apt-get install fio` for Ubuntu/Debian or `brew install fio` for macOS with Homebrew). Create a configuration file and run fio to perform comprehensive benchmarks. 3. **dd Command**: You can also use the `dd` command to measure write and read speeds. For example, `dd if=/dev/zero of=/path/to/file bs=1M count=1024 oflag=direct` will write 1GB of data to a file and measure the speed. Remember to interpret the results carefully, as various factors like file system, controller, and drive interface can impact the speeds.

First, right-click on the Task Bar at the bottom and choose "Task Manager" from the context menu that appears. Next, in the window that opens, click on "Performance" from the top menu. Then, from the left-hand column, select the solid-state drive (SSD) to view its read and write speeds.

3. How do I check the health of my SSD on Windows 11?

Step 1. To access Disks & Volumes in Windows 11's new Settings menu, navigate to System, Storage, and then Advanced Storage Settings.

Step 2: You can view the hard drive's health status in its attributes.

Step 3. Displays the estimated remaining life, spare availability, and current temperature.