How to Check, Enable, and Disable TRIM on SSDs in Windows 11/10

Microsoft
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TRIM is an essential feature for Solid State Drives (SSDs) that helps maintain their performance and longevity. This article will guide you through checking, enabling, and disabling TRIM support on Windows 11 and 10 systems.

What is TRIM and Why is it Important?

TRIM is a command that allows the operating system to inform an SSD which data blocks are no longer in use and can be erased internally. This process helps:

  • Improve SSD performance
  • Extend the lifespan of the drive
  • Optimize space management
  • Reduce unnecessary data rewriting

TRIM has been supported in Windows since Windows 7 and is typically enabled by default on modern systems.

How to Check if TRIM is Enabled

To verify if TRIM is active on your Windows 11 or 10 PC:

Step 1: Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R

Step 2: Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt

Step 3: In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command:

fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

Step 4: Interpret the results:

  • If you see DisableDeleteNotify = 0, TRIM is enabled
  • If you see DisableDeleteNotify = 1, TRIM is disabled

How to Enable TRIM

If TRIM is disabled, you can enable it using these steps:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator

Step 2: Enter the following command:

fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0

Step 3: Press Enter to execute the command

How to Disable TRIM

While not recommended for most users, you can disable TRIM if needed:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator

Step 2: Enter the following command:

fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 1

Step 3: Press Enter to execute the command

Additional TRIM Information

  • Windows 10 and 11 include an improved Storage Optimizer that automatically sends TRIM commands to SSDs during idle times
  • TRIM support is available for both NTFS and ReFS file systems
  • Some SSDs, like those from Crucial, are designed to perform well even without TRIM enabled

Checking TRIM Status for Different File Systems

When querying TRIM status, you may see different results based on your file system:

  • For NTFS:
    • NTFS DisableDeleteNotify = 0 means TRIM is enabled
    • NTFS DisableDeleteNotify = 1 means TRIM is disabled
  • For ReFS:
    • ReFS DisableDeleteNotify = 0 means TRIM is enabled
    • ReFS DisableDeleteNotify = 1 means TRIM is disabled

If you see “is not currently set” for either file system, it means TRIM will be automatically enabled when an SSD with that file system is connected.

In conclusion, TRIM is a valuable feature for maintaining SSD health and performance. Most users should keep it enabled, as it’s beneficial for the longevity and efficiency of their solid-state drives. Regular checks can ensure that TRIM is functioning correctly on your system.