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How do I know if I have an SSD or HDD in my computer?

To determine whether your computer is using a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), you can use several methods depending on your operating system. Here’s how to check on both Windows and macOS systems:

For Windows:

  1. Check Using File Explorer:
    • Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
    • Right-click on This PC or My Computer and select Properties.
    • Click on Device Manager (or go to Manage and then Device Manager).
    • Under the Disk drives category, you will see a list of drives. The name of your drive may indicate whether it is an SSD or HDD. If it is an SSD, it may have “SSD” in its name.
  2. Check with Windows Settings:
    • Go to Settings (Windows + I).
    • Navigate to System > About.
    • Scroll down to Device specifications. Here, you can get basic information about your drives, but it may not specify SSD or HDD directly.
  3. Use Command Prompt:
    • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
    • Type cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
    • Type the following command and press Enter:
      text
      wmic diskdrive get model, interfaceType, mediaType
    • Look under the MediaType column. If it lists “SSD,” you have a Solid State Drive. If not, you likely have an HDD.
  4. Using Third-Party Software:
    • Tools like CrystalDiskInfo or Speccy can provide detailed information about your drives, including whether they are SSDs or HDDs.

For macOS:

  1. Check Using About This Mac:
    • Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac.
    • Click on System Report.
    • In the left sidebar, click on Storage or NVMExpress.
    • Here, you should see all connected drives listed with information about their type. SSDs will typically be labeled as “SSD” in the description.
  2. Using Disk Utility:
    • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
    • In Disk Utility, select your drive from the list on the left.
    • Click on the Info button (or press Command + I). This will display details about your drive, including whether it is an SSD or an HDD.

By using the methods outlined above, you can easily identify whether your computer is using a Solid State Drive or a Hard Disk Drive. Understanding your storage type can help you make informed decisions about upgrades and performance improvements. If you want faster boot times and application launches, switching to an SSD (if you are using an HDD) can be a beneficial upgrade.

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