Your computer might be slow due to hardware issues or external factors. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a default storage policy in Windows can cause your SSD to underperform.
Most modern SSDs use write caches to quickly accept and stage data before committing it to slower NAND flash. The issue lies not with the hardware but with how Windows acknowledges write operations at the driver level.
A conservative storage policy restricts how the drive uses its onboard cache, leading to slowdowns in small, constant write operations. This is particularly noticeable when copying files or performing frequent writes.
To identify your SSD’s policy, open Device Manager and navigate to Disk drives. Right-click the drive, select Properties, and click on Policies. Look for two options: Quick removal (default) and Better performance. Selecting Better performance can improve caching behavior, but be aware of the trade-offs.
Power loss is a more significant concern than drive health. If you’re running an internal drive, enabling Better performance might be acceptable. However, if you’re using an external USB drive or a laptop with limited power protection, Quick removal policy is safer.
Before making changes, consider your active Windows power plan and whether aggressive PCIe link power management is affecting storage latency.
Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/this-hidden-windows-setting-is-slowing-down-your-ssd-heres-the-fix