How to Enable or Disable Disk Write Caching in Windows 10

Deejay write caching is a feature that improves system performance past using fast volatile memory (RAM) to collect write commands sent to data storage devices and cache them until the slower storage device (ex: hard disk) can be written to afterwards. This allows applications to run faster by allowing them to proceed without waiting for data write-requests to be written to the disk.

While disk write caching may increment organisation performance, it can also increase the chances of information loss in case of ability or system failures before the data from the write-cache buffer is flushed by writing the data to the disk.

Windows defines two main policies, Quick removal and Better performance, that control how the system interacts with external storage devices such equally USB thumb drives or Thunderbolt-enabled external drives. Beginning in Windows ten version 1809, the default policy is Quick removal.

In earlier versions of Windows the default policy was Better performance.

You lot tin change the policy setting for each external device, and the policy that you prepare remains in effect if you disconnect the device and then connect information technology again to the same estimator port.

You lot tin utilize the storage device policy setting to change the style in which Windows manages storage devices to better meet your needs. The policy settings have the post-obit effects:

  • Quick removal - This policy manages storage operations in a manner that keeps the device ready to remove at any time. You tin remove the device without using the Safely Remove Hardware process. However, to do this, Windows cannot cache disk write operations. This may degrade organization performance.
  • Better performance - This policy manages storage operations in a way that improves organization functioning. When this policy is in effect, Windows can cache write operations to the external device. However, you must apply the Safely Remove Hardware process to remove the external drive. The Safely Remove Hardware process protects the integrity of information on the device past making sure that all cached operations finish.

Removable disks take disk write caching disabled by default for quick removal without having to employ Safely Remove Hardware.

Internal disks have disk write caching enabled by default for improve operation, but you must utilise Safely Remove Hardware before disconnecting the disk to prevent data loss.

Update: Change in default removal policy for external storage media in Windows 10, version 1809 | Microsoft Docs

See also: Internal SATA Drives bear witness up as removeable media | Windows Back up

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable disk write caching on storage devices for better performance or quick removal in Windows x.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable deejay write caching.

Here'due south How:

1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).

2 Expand open up Disk drives, and double click/tap on the disk that y'all want to enable or disable write caching. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Disk Write Caching in Windows 10-write_cache-1.png

3 Do step four (enable) or pace v (disable) below for what you would similar to do.

iv To Enable Deejay Write Caching on the Device

A) Click/tap on the Policies tab, and select (dot) Better performance. (run into screenshots below)

B) Check the Enable write caching on the device box under Write-caching policy.

C) Check or uncheck the Turn off Windows write-cache buffer flushing on the device under Write-caching policy.

To forbid data loss, do not cheque Plow off Windows write-cache buffer flushing on the device unless the device (disk) has a split up power supply (ex: UPS) that allows the device to affluent its buffer in case of power failure.

D) Click/tap on OK, and go to step six beneath.

Enable or Disable Disk Write Caching in Windows 10-write_cache-3.png

5 To Disable Disk Write Caching on the Device

A) Click/tap on the Policies tab, select (dot) Quick removal, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 beneath. (run into screenshots below)

Enable or Disable Disk Write Caching in Windows 10-write_cache-2.png

6 If prompted to restart the reckoner to utilise, click/tap on Yes or No for what you lot want to do. (see screenshot beneath)

Yes = Restarts the estimator immediately. Be sure to salvage and shut everything first.

No = Allows you to manually restart the computer later when you're ready. Your changes will not exist applied until you restart the estimator.

Enable or Disable Disk Write Caching in Windows 10-write_cache-4.png

That'southward it,
Shawn