How to Check, Turn On, or Turn Off TRIM for SSD Drives in Windows 11
TRIM is a background command in Windows 11 that erases deleted files from your solid-state drive (SSD) so the drive stays fast and lasts longer. Without TRIM, your PC slows down over time as you save and delete files.
Command Prompt (a text-based tool for running system commands) lets you check the current TRIM status or turn the feature on and off in less than a minute. Most modern Windows 11 PCs turn TRIM on by default, but you can verify it at any time.
TRIM optimizes SSD performance and lifespan. To check, open Command Prompt as administrator and run ‘fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify’. A result of 0 means TRIM is on; 1 means it’s off. To change it, use ‘fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0’ to turn it on, or ‘1’ to turn it off.
What is TRIM and Why Does It Matter?
SSD TRIM Windows 11 is a system command that tells your Solid State Drive which blocks of data are empty and ready to be wiped clean. This command matters because it keeps your drive fast and stops it from wearing out too quickly, as it clears deleted files in the background before you need to write new data to those spots.
TRIM is a command that benefits Solid State Drives (SSDs) by managing data cleanup. SSDs need to erase old data before writing new data. TRIM performs this data cleanup in advance, helping maintain SSD speed and health. This TRIM function ensures optimal performance for your SSD.
When Should You Use TRIM?
- Keep it ON: For everyday use, it’s best to keep TRIM enabled to keep your SSD working well and lasting longer.
- Turn it OFF temporarily: If you accidentally deleted files and want to try recovering them, turning off TRIM temporarily might help because TRIM can erase deleted data quickly.
How to Check If TRIM is Enabled on Your SSD
- Press Win+X and choose Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
- Type or copy-paste this command and press Enter:
fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify - Look at the result:
Output What it Means DisableDeleteNotify = 0 TRIM is ON (good!) DisableDeleteNotify = 1 TRIM is OFF
How to Turn ON TRIM
- Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Copy and paste the command below and press Enter to turn on TRIM:
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0
How to Turn OFF TRIM
- Open Windows Terminal (Admin) again.
- Type this command and press Enter:
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 1
Summary
TRIM is a key feature that keeps your SSD performing well, and it's generally best to leave it turned on for everyday use in Windows 11.Learn More
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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