[How To] Improve disk performance for high-speed external drives
Answer
The default disk removal policy in Windows is “Quick removal,” which allows users to disconnect external storage devices without using the “Safely Remove Hardware” function. However, when using a Thunderbolt SSD or other high-speed external storage devices, “Quick removal” mode may limit write performance.
To improve the transfer performance of high-speed external storage devices, change the Windows disk removal policy from “Quick removal” to “Better performance,” and enable “Enable write caching on the device.”
*Note: After enabling “Better performance” and write caching, you must use the Windows “Safely Remove Hardware” function before disconnecting the external storage device to avoid data loss or corruption.
This article applies to all MSI notebooks.
How to Improve the Transfer Performance of High-Speed External Storage Devices?
Method A: Through Disk Management
- Right-click the Windows “Start” menu and open “Disk Management.”
- In the disk section below, right-click the disk number corresponding to the external storage device, for example “Disk 2,” and then select “Properties.”
- Open the “Policies” tab and select “Better performance.”
- Select “Enable write caching on the device,” and then click “OK” to apply the changes.
Method B: Through Device Manager
- Right-click the Windows “Start” menu and open “Device Manager.”
- Expand “Disk drives.”
- Right-click the external storage device and select “Properties.”
- Open the “Policies” tab and select “Better performance.”
- Select “Enable write caching on the device,” and then click “OK” to apply the changes.
How Should You Choose Between “Better Performance” and “Quick Removal”?
Choose the appropriate mode based on the type of external storage device and your usage habits.
- When “Better performance” is suitable:
High-speed external storage devices: For example, Thunderbolt SSDs or Thunderbolt SSD enclosures. This setting can help reduce the possibility of write performance being limited.
Workloads involving large file transfers: For example, photography, video editing, or other scenarios that frequently involve transferring large files and where transfer performance is important. - When “Quick removal” is suitable:
Standard USB flash drives: If mainly used for transferring small files, the default Windows “Quick removal” setting can be retained.
Devices that are frequently connected and disconnected: If the storage device is often moved between different computers and you prefer not to use “Safely Remove Hardware” every time, “Quick removal” can be used.
FAQ
Q: Why might the write speed of a high-speed external SSD be limited?
A: Windows uses the “Quick removal” policy by default to allow users to disconnect external storage devices more conveniently. However, this setting may limit the write performance of high-speed external storage devices such as Thunderbolt SSDs. Changing the setting to “Better performance” and enabling write caching can improve transfer performance.
Q: Can I directly disconnect the external storage device after enabling “Better performance”?
A: It is not recommended. After enabling “Better performance” and write caching, use the Windows “Safely Remove Hardware” function before disconnecting the external storage device to avoid data loss or corruption caused by unfinished write operations.
Q: Does a standard USB flash drive also need to be changed to “Better performance”?
A: Not necessarily. If you mainly use a standard USB flash drive to transfer small files or frequently connect and disconnect the device, you can continue using the default Windows “Quick removal” mode.