Keeping track of the health of the drive, whether it be SSD or HDD, is the task of every user who wants to ensure a stable state and long service life for the device. For testing and diagnostics, both operating system tools and special software are used, the functionality of which will allow you to identify and solve the problem in a timely manner, avoiding troubles in the form of information loss and failure of the hard drive or solid state drive.
Utilities can be branded, developed specifically for brand equipment or from third-party developers. There are many programs in this category on the network, which makes it difficult for an inexperienced user to choose. We have collected the best of them for you to make it easier for you to find the right software.
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10 Best Software to Check HDD and SSD
The utilities presented in the collection offer a set of tools for checking for errors, corruption, testing write / read speed, etc., including optimization settings. They can scan hard drives (HDD), built-in or external, as well as solid-state drives (SSD) at the user’s request, arising as needed, or continuously monitor the status of the device, working in the background and notifying about events.
Hard disk and SSD testing programs use both their own algorithms and universal SMART tables, which show status parameters.
Victoria
The undoubted leader among software for testing, diagnosing and repairing HDD with an interface in Russian. The disk error check utility is a universal solution and also works with external drives and SSDs. The software is distributed freely without restrictions, while it includes many options that are not available in many commercial products.
Key features:
- display of complete information about the technical characteristics and status of the device;
- scan for bad sectors;
- fast and detailed surface testing;
- displaying the number of starts/restarts of the device;
- SMART indications in Russian with a description;
- information from temperature sensors;
- work with memory cards, solid state drives, external devices with USB interface;
- fixing some errors, overwriting bad sectors;
- deleting data from a disk without the possibility of recovery.
CrystalDiskInfo
Another popular status tool that shows detailed information about SSDs, HDDs, and external drives. Using the utility, it is easy to test the disk, view SMART values, monitor the temperature of the SSD (the program regularly updates information from temperature sensors). In addition, CrystalDiskInfo will notify the user if there are problems with the operation of the device. The program is free and updated frequently, and there is also a portable version that can run without installation.
The software offers the following benefits and features:
- viewing basic information and technical information of SSDs, HDDs and drives connected via USB;
- flexible settings, convenient menu;
- Russian interface;
- the ability to set the scanning frequency and designate the temperature upon reaching which it is necessary to notify;
- history of SMART scores
Hard Disk Sentinel
The program for monitoring the status of the hard disk and SSD is used to test and diagnose drives. It can be used to view technical information, track the current health of the device and troubleshoot to prevent data loss. The software has a simple, intuitive interface, there is a Russian version.
The following options are available:
- viewing characteristics and status of HDD/SSD;
- display of disk temperature indicators;
- condition diagnostics using SMART technology;
- device performance check;
- convenient notification system when working in the background;
- displaying the operating time and the number of inclusions of the disk;
- work with external devices.
WD SSD Dashboard
Western Digital’s SSD monitoring software provides full technical information about the drive, temperature readings, operating time and health status. In addition to diagnostics, optimization tools are also available, it is possible to update the device firmware. It also supports working with HDD.
The software offers the following features and benefits:
- full control of the state of the SSD;
- device details;
- inclusion of TRIM technology;
- device temperature display;
- real-time performance monitoring;
- SMART tests (quick, standard, extended);
- firmware update;
- work with hard drives.
HDDScan
A free program for viewing hard drives on a computer, through which you can test the device, identifying errors, bad sectors and other problems. The tool is easy to use thanks to a simple and intuitive interface, so it is suitable even for users with a minimum level of skills.
The utility toolkit offers the following:
- HDD diagnostics, surface testing;
- viewing SMART attributes, including for SSD;
- support for RAID arrays;
- checking external drives connected via USB, flash drives;
- comparative read-write test;
- viewing readings of temperature sensors of hard drives (output to the taskbar).
SSD life
A simple and convenient program for diagnosing SSD drives of any manufacturer with a Russian interface. The software runs in the tray, notifying the user about device failures, critical indicators, and other problems. The program also constantly analyzes the intensity of use of the SSD, which generates a forecast of the expected service life (may vary depending on changes in activity).
Software features:
- work with all SSD;
- monitoring the wear of solid state drives;
- device usage statistics;
- disk health assessment;
- service life calculation;
- scheduled checks, notifications;
- view technical information.
AS SSD Benchmark
Another utility option for SSD. This is a compact free program that allows you to test the speed of SSDs with the ability to select a test (sequential or random read / write). You can also check the device with additionally specified parameters.
With the utility you have access to:
- get detailed information about the SSD;
- speed tests (6 synthetic and 3 forms of data copy diagnostics);
- start several tests at the same time;
- saving test results to a text file or table;
- integration of the utility into the system tray;
- the ability to run without downloading to a computer.
HDD Regenerator
A software tool for recovering bad sectors on the HDD surface. After the hard disk is checked for errors, the program will fix the bad sectors found during the procedure. The surface is restored using a special magnetization reversal algorithm, and previously inaccessible data will be read.
Software features:
- support for various drives and connection interfaces;
- condition monitoring;
- display of parameters in real time;
- detection and correction of bad HDD sectors, restoration of the disk surface;
- application of own algorithms for resuscitation of broken sectors;
- portable version available.
disk checkup
Free program for testing most HDDs. With its help, the condition of the hard disk is assessed, technical information is viewed, the error rate of disk reading, temperature and other parameters are monitored. Russian interface available, portable version.
The following features are available with the utility:
- viewing the characteristics of the hard drive;
- viewing SMART attributes;
- tests (quick, extended);
- monitoring of indicators of temperature sensors;
- setting up notifications (when a critical level is exceeded);
- saving test results as a separate file.
Abelssoft Check Drive
The utility allows you to view full information about the HDD / SSD drive, identify problem sectors of the hard drive and assess the condition of the media, preventing data loss. The interface is simple and convenient, Russian is supported.
Software features:
- output of detailed information about HDD and SSD disks;
- display of SMART information;
- check for bad sectors;
- monitoring disk status data in the background;
- notifications when problems are identified;
- built-in scheduler (scheduling automatic scanning).
Caring for the health of an HDD or SSD requires not only compliance with operating rules, but also periodic checks on the condition of the media. By making a habit of scanning your device from time to time, you will be able to assess its condition in a timely manner and avoid sudden malfunctions. It is also worth backing up important data stored on the drive more often, even in the absence of suspicions of an imminent loss of HDD or SSD performance.
And what programs do you use to check and test the SSD drive and HDD? Share in the comments.