You don't need CrystalDiskInfo to check your SSD health, as Windows already tells you a lot
Most users don't need to know more than what Windows already tells you
Few would argue that CrystalDiskInfo remains the go-to tool for monitoring SSD and HDD health, despite the fact that Windows already provides a wealth of relevant information. By checking your SSD's S.M.A.R.T. attributes, you can glean valuable insights such as estimated remaining life, available spare capacity, and temperature, without the need for an additional application.
Although Windows' built-in storage settings offer an overview of your drive's health, they do not provide the full picture. Crucially, Windows does not reveal write errors or other critical warnings that could indicate impending SSD failure. While Windows' Estimated remaining life metric serves as a rough gauge of your SSD's remaining lifespan, it should not be regarded as an absolute indicator of drive health.
Available spare capacity, which refers to the reserve NAND blocks used to compensate for failing active blocks, also does not guarantee optimal SSD performance. Temperature readings are useful, but they do not capture the full extent of potential faults. To truly assess your SSD's health, CrystalDiskInfo's Media and Data Integrity Errors and Critical Warning attributes are indispensable.
These metrics provide a more comprehensive view of your drive, revealing any faulty cells or impending issues that Windows' built-in information might overlook. If you notice a non-zero entry for Media and Data Integrity Errors or Critical Warning, it is prudent to take immediate action. Running diagnostic tools like CHKDSK can help mitigate minor errors, while backing up your data ensures that you have a safety net.
In the event of persistent issues, repurposing your faulty SSD as a secondary system or disposing of it entirely may be the best course of action. As SSD prices continue to soar, particularly for NVMe models, it is wise to consider more cost-effective alternatives such as SATA SSDs. When selecting an SSD, prioritize Gen4 models over Gen5, and consider refurbished options to maximize value.
Ultimately, while Windows' storage settings offer a solid starting point for SSD health monitoring, CrystalDiskInfo remains an invaluable tool for gaining deeper insights and ensuring the longevity of your storage solution.
Written by urgent.news from XDA Developers's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
