How do you find out if your drive is an SSD or HDD in Windows 11?

HDD
1

I just upgraded to Windows 11 and I’m not sure if my storage drive is an SSD or HDD. Is there a simple way to check this within the system? I’d appreciate any help or tips on how to determine this.

2

Why does it even matter if your drive is SSD or HDD? Windows 11 will run terribly regardless. But if you insist:

Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Performance” tab, and click on “Disk.” It usually tells you there if it’s an SSD or HDD. If it says neither, congratulations, you’re likely on some ancient spinning rust that makes your flashy new OS pointless.

Some say it’s good to use ‘’ to find out. Sure, it’s quick but gets messy with its interface. Alternatives like CrystalDiskInfo might be cleaner, though frankly, all of this just feels like extra work for nothing. SSDs are hyped up and overpriced, and HDDs are slow as molasses. Either way, your experience is doomed to mediocrity. Enjoy handling it!

3

If you’re trying to determine whether your drive is an SSD or HDD in Windows 11 and prefer not to use Task Manager or third-party tools, there are other ways to find this out. Honestly, while @techchizkid seems pretty disillusioned with Windows 11, it doesn’t mean knowing what type of drive you have is pointless. SSDs provide faster boot times and quicker file accesses, making a big difference in sys performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on alternative methods:

1. Windows Settings:

  • Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
  • Navigate to System > Storage.
  • Under the “Storage” section, look for your drives listed there. Sometimes Windows will explicitly indicate whether it’s an HDD or SSD right there.

2. System Information Tool:

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
  • In the “System Information” window, expand the Components section and then Storage > Disks.
  • This detailed list may show the type of storage device, i.e., model numbers which you can google to confirm if they’re SSDs or HDDs.

3. Using PowerShell:
You can also use PowerShell to get this info, which avoids third-party software entirely:

  • Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) to open PowerShell with administrator privileges.
  • Type Get-PhysicalDisk and press Enter.
  • In the output, check the “MediaType” field for a clear indication of SSD or HDD next to each physical disk listed.

While CrystalDiskInfo is a good third-party tool—as @techchizkid mentioned—don’t knock it out entirely. It’s typically useful for assessing drive health and other specifics beyond just determining the type. Plus, it’s straightforward to use. On a different note, SSDs, even if you find them overpriced, can transform old and sluggish machines into a decent working state, something HDDs struggle with due to their mechanical nature.

4. BIOS/UEFI Setup:

  • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI (by pressing keys like F2, F12, DEL during boot, depending on your manufacturer).
  • Navigate through the menus to find a section like Storage Information or System Configuration.
  • BIOS/UEFI screens usually show more detailed drive information, including whether it’s an SSD or HDD.

5. Command Prompt:
If you’re a bit more comfortable with command lines but prefer not to use PowerShell:

  • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
  • In Command Prompt, type wmic diskdrive get model and press Enter.
  • You’ll get a list of drive models installed. Google those models to confirm if they’re SSDs or HDDs.

Let’s not forget, while Windows 11 might have its critics, knowledge about your hardware helps you make better diagnostic and upgrade decisions. If you’re looking at performance improvements, an SSD might indeed be worth the investment despite what @techchizkid says about SSDs being “overhyped.” SSDs can offer real-world improvements, especially if you’re dealing with large files or doing tasks requiring fast read/writes.

4

Actually, I get where you’re coming from with needing to know what type of drive you have, especially when newer OS versions can feel more demanding. Here’s another couple of takes that might simplify things for you, focusing on user-experience:

If the suggestions from @byteguru and @techchizkid felt a bit too heavy, try the in-built interface—but without diving too deep into technical tabs.

File Explorer Quick Check:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties.”
  3. Navigate to “Device Manager.”
  4. Expand the “Disk drives” section.

You’ll see the model of your drive here. Quick Google of that model name can tell you if it’s HDD or SSD. Super simple and bypasses the need for diving into the performance tab or opening up settings upon settings.

Alternative HDD Check:
If you are less worried about the label and more about the performance, just check the access times manually. HDDs have noticeably slower read/write speeds. Make a new text file, then duplicate it over 100 times in a folder. SSD does this almost instantly; an HDD will chug along.

Old-School Sequential Read/Write:

  1. Open Command Prompt as admin (Win+X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
  2. Type diskpart and then list disk.

The total size is listed here, but if you have hybrid drives, this might be misleading. However, the sheer speed tell-tale signs often show up in everyday tasks more than people give credit for.

If you’re looking to minimize effort, avoiding third-party tools is a fair move. Though I do think CrystalDiskInfo has its perks, it might clutter your system if you’re not looking to maintain software regularly.

Anyway, don’t sweat too much about the “SSD hype.” A good SSD can genuinely make a difference, even with a so-called “mediocre” Windows 11 experience. It’s the small speed improvements in day-to-day tasks that often end up being game-changers, not just the flashy benchmarks.