Is Version 2004 Of Windows 10 Causing Premature Failure Of SSDs?
Please note this article is written purely based on our experience as computer repair technicians in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
In repairing customers computers we seem to have encountered since the release of Version 2004 of Windows 10 an above average failure of SSDs (solid state drives). Now we have not recorded this statistically, it is more of just a general feeling that there have been more SSD failures recently and that these seem to have coincided with the Version 2004 Windows update…
This article explores why we believe that this is occurring and what you need to do to prevent Windows 10 Version 2004 from causing premature SSD failure (that we believe is occurring to some computers).
History of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Updates
A little history. Early adopters of any Microsoft updates have always played what seems to be a bit of Russian Roulette with an update. In Operating System releases prior to Windows 10, updates could be turned off. In contrast to early adopters, those more cautious or ‘those in the know’ did not update until the new update had been thoroughly tested.
However, since the introduction of Windows 10 to the World on 1st August 2015 this has often no longer been possible. Windows 10 Professional users had the best option, being able to “delay” updates for various time periods. Unfortunately, the vast majority of users had the Windows 10 Home version and delaying updates was just not possible until recently.
Windows 10 Home Users “Live Testers”?
Thus, the Windows 10 Home users, unfortunately, seemed to be the ‘live testers’ of any new versions of Windows and could not (as many did in the past) delay updates until all ‘bugs’ were fixed. The Professional users as said were able to ‘delay’ updates and thus did not suffer from as many ‘bug’ problems than the Home users.
The good news is that starting a year ago with the May 2019 Update, Windows 10 Home users have been able to pause updates for 35 days in total (seven days at a time up to five times).
Windows 10 Version 2004 – Repeated Defrag?
Back to the problem with this latest Windows 10 version 2004 update. As stated above this update seems to be destroying SSDs as it keeps doing a “defrag”, in fact many times a day.
So to check if you have version 2004 then do this:
- Left click on the Windows icon (bottom left) and go to System.
- If you are running version 2004 then that will be clearly visible.
If confirmed, then do this:
- In the white box (bottom left) type in “defrag”.
- This will give options, so choose “Optimize and Defrag drives”, then left click or hit enter.
- In that box you will see C: Drive (and any other Disk Drives you may have).
- Under the heading of “Media Type” you can see what your drive is.
- If you have a SSD then it will state that.
- Under the heading “Current Status” it will probably say “Needs optimisation”.
Windows Version 2004 – Wear and Tear on SSD
This is the crux of the problem. Whenever you reboot and do this same check it will say the same. Even later that day or in some cases that hour, a check will confirm that the Drive needs to be optimised.
This optimisation should occur on a regular basis but ONLY at the maximum once a month, not 10 times a day. If you do allow the drive to be “optimised” it will be what’s called “trimmed”. Every time an optimization/defrag/trim occurs it puts a lot of wear and tear on the SSD.
If this is allowed to continue many times a day, the SSD will fail prematurely – well before it’s intended usual/standard life span. Therefore your data can be lost and you will probably end up purchasing a new computer!
Version 2004 Causing Premature Failure of SSDs?
What will you need to do to stop Windows 10 destroying your SSD? Please follow these instructions before your SSD prematurely fails:
- In the same window click on the button called “Change Settings”.
- This opens another box called “Optimization schedule”.
- What you then need to do is completely disable C: Drive, so click “Choose” and
- Untick the box against C: Drive.
Windows 10 will then ignore C: Drive. This then stops the “defrag/optimise/trim issues on your SSD. This will save your SSD from failing prematurely. You have just saved your data and your SSD and possibly your computer as well!
If you have updated to Windows 10 version 2004 – to prevent premature failure of your SSD please follow the steps outlined above.
If you need assistance then please contact us at Affordable Computer Repairs and Service on 07 3397 1215.
