Why does your SSD drive keep filling up? It’s not because you’re downloading more videos or music; it’s because you have inadvertently deleted important files. You’ve probably experienced the feeling of being unable to locate a file that you know exists – how mortifying!
It’s time to take stock of your storage situation: did you know that over half of us delete emails and attachments from our inboxes every month, while only 20% manage to avoid this mistake with all their correspondence? If you’re someone who regularly empties their inboxes, it may be prudent to employ an efficient email management system such as Gmail- which boasts over 3 billion emails stored in its archives!
Despite your best efforts, there comes a point when data simply cannot be saved. Perhaps tomorrow is the day that you need to transfer a huge amount of photos onto your computer; maybe it’s footage from a family vacation that needs to be preserved for posterity. Regardless of the situation, there is no doubt about it – you will eventually have to face up to having less space available on your SSD drive!
Your SSD Drive Isn’t Full
Although an SSD is advertised as a more efficient alternative to HDD, this does not mean that its storage capacity cannot be expanded.
If your Solid State Drive (SSD) has reached its maximum capacity and still shows signs of overwriting data onto it, then it is possible that you are utilizing its full potential.
After regular usage, the space on your hard drive will eventually become wasted; a situation in which the file system has no further room available for storing data. Be sure to regularly defragment your hard drive – especially if you are employing an SSD – lest your files become fragmented!
It’s Just Expanding
SSDs are cyclical, so they tend to cycle in and out of use over time. When the drive is idle and not accessed – whether it’s waiting for a swig of power or unplugged during non-work hours – it won’t be using up any space!
Unbeknownst to many users, their SSD may be operating underutilized for days at a time. Yet when that data needs to be accessed again – such as on an unexpected occasion requiring immediate access – its capacity will expand rapidly!
Your SSD Drive Is Actually Losing Space
For many users, SSDs are perceived as space-efficient devices, but this may not be the case. Often running out of space on an SSD is a sign that it has been utilized to its fullest extent – and there remains more room available for data storage!
If you discover that your SSD is filling up faster than anticipated, consider resetting it to its defaults. Don’t forget about all of those saved files and apps either; some programs can utilize every byte of your hard drive space!
Unplugging your system and allowing it to sit idle for a while will allow its components to cool down. This should free up some space on the drive where you can save any data that has yet to be accessed during that period.
Your SSD Drive is Just Getting Old — but What Does it mean for the Drive to be “Old”?
If your SSD is just reaching its final days, this does not necessarily mean it requires replacement. It simply means that the continual wear and tear incurred when using an SSD can eventually lead to reduced lifespan and eventual failure – which could be remedied by updating the firmware of the drive.
To ascertain whether or not your SSD is indeed ‘old’ or experiencing a decline in performance due to age, perform some simple tests. If you notice any decrease in reading speed or increase latency with your old SSD then it would be wise to invest in a newer model instead!
Defragmenting Your Computer’s Operating System Can Cause Issues
If your OS is fragmented, then it could be causing your SSD to run at full speed while consuming more energy than necessary. To prevent this from occurring and to give the driver a rest between intensive usage periods, defragmentation must be performed periodically (every three months or so).
If you’ve just upgraded an SSD, then don’t despair! Here’s how you can tell if the device is in need of defragmentation:
The first method entails authorizing the Windows Disk Management tool for access. If you find yourself unable to complete this step – such as when it does not appear even after launching – don’t fret; simply access Device Manager and locate your SSD drive.
You’re Running out of Free Space on an External HDD as well as your SSD
So, you’ve discovered that your SSD drive is permanently occupied by a plethora of files – what should you do? The solution is surprisingly simple: make use of an external hard drive.
In fact, even if your SSD containing all those precious files has already been filled up to capacity, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to utilize its free space for whatever purposes you like! It’s a useful means for freeing up space on an HDD.
For those who have installed an operating system on the HDD and wish to free up disk space for other purposes, the simplest method is to simply delete any files that are no longer needed or simply relocate them elsewhere on their hard drive.
Conclusion
When you install an SSD, you may be aware of the fact that the entire drive must be used for storing data. That’s because SSDs don’t employ any space-saving technology – they utilize all available space to store data!
Indeed, this means that users must be cautious not to fill up their drives. If you notice that your system is running slower or encountering difficulties while opening files or accessing apps – then chances are that it might be due to an overfilled SSD!
If you find yourself constantly running out of storage on your SSD, there are a few things you can do. First of all, ensure that your computer is running optimally and have all software up-to-date. Then, if possible utilize external hard drives when feasible – they’ll provide plenty of room for files without taxing your system too much.
