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Back up important files as soon as you can. A Windows SSD health warning is serious enough to protect your data before lengthy troubleshooting, but it does not identify the exact hardware fault or tell you which replacement drive fits your PC. After backing up, inspect the affected disk’s health details in Settings and contact Microsoft support or your PC manufacturer for help with next steps.
What to do first
- Back up important files. Copy irreplaceable documents, photos, and other files to a separate destination, such as an external drive, network location, or cloud storage. Check that the copy is complete and that you can access it.
- Open the disk’s health details. Select the warning notification if it is available, or open the affected disk’s Properties in Settings to see the warning type and reported health attributes.
- Get device-specific help. Microsoft recommends backing up and contacting Microsoft support about additional concerns or issues. If the PC is managed by work or school, contact its IT team; for hardware diagnosis or repair options, the PC manufacturer may also be able to help.
These steps follow Microsoft’s guidance for a critical storage-device warning, which applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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Where to check the warning in Windows
Windows 11
Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes. Select the affected disk, choose Properties, and review its health details.
Windows 10
Go to Settings > System > Storage > Manage disks and volumes, then select the affected disk and open its properties.
#1 Best Overall
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Settings labels can vary between releases. If the route differs on your PC, search Settings for Disks & volumes.
What the different critical warnings mean
| Warning | What Windows says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spare capacity is low | Available spare capacity has fallen below the device manufacturer’s safety threshold. | Back up important data and seek device-specific guidance. This is a health warning, not a recommendation to fix the problem by deleting files or running cleanup tools. |
| Reliability is degraded | Significant media-related errors or an internal error to the NVM subsystem has degraded reliability. | Protect your files promptly and ask Microsoft or the PC manufacturer about diagnosis and repair options. |
| Drive is set to read-only | Data remains accessible, but the device blocks new writes. | If files are still readable, copy critical data to another destination. Avoid repeated write-heavy repair attempts while securing your files. |
These warnings indicate a storage-health concern; they do not diagnose the precise physical cause or identify a replacement part. A software cleanup, defragmentation, or Windows reinstall should not be treated as a fix for hardware degradation.
Rank #2
- Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
- Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
- Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
How to interpret the other health values
Windows may also show estimated remaining life, available spare, and temperature. Treat these as reported indicators, not a guaranteed countdown or standalone diagnosis:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Estimated remaining life is an approximate percentage based on the manufacturer’s prediction. Microsoft says it is capped at 0%; reaching that value does not automatically mean the device has failed.
- Available spare is a normalized percentage from 0% to 100%.
- Temperature is reported in degrees Celsius.
Windows monitors NVM SSDs with this feature, not SATA SSDs or hard disk drives. A SATA SSD or HDD that shows no Windows warning has not thereby been proven healthy.
Rank #3
- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Choose a backup that gives you a separate copy
The immediate goal is to preserve a copy of your files somewhere other than the at-risk disk. Microsoft describes cloud storage, an external drive, and a network drive as backup options. An external hard drive for PC backup can be useful when you have large or numerous files to copy, or limited internet access. Cloud backup can make files available across devices, but requires internet access and enough cloud storage. The right destination depends on how much data you need to protect, what you already have, and how you need to access it; these options do not make the internal SSD healthy.
Microsoft’s backup-solution guide explains the available approaches. Windows Backup can protect files, themes, settings, installed apps, and Wi-Fi information, with backed-up information stored with your Microsoft account. Review what is included and confirm that the backup has completed before relying on it; see Microsoft’s guide to backing up and restoring with Windows Backup.
Rank #4
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
If the warning is on your Windows boot drive
Prioritize files that cannot be replaced, then verify that the backup is accessible. If the drive is read-only, Windows may still let you read and copy files even though it blocks new writes. Avoid repeated attempts to repair or heavily write to the drive while important data is not yet secured.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Do not immediately reset the PC or reinstall Windows as a response to a hardware-health warning. Those steps can put data at risk and do not address the SSD’s physical condition. A Windows recovery USB is useful for restoring or reinstalling Windows, but it is not a personal-file backup: Microsoft says a Recovery Drive creates USB recovery media for returning the PC to its original state, including after a hard drive is replaced, and does not include personal files. Keep recovery media and a separate file backup distinct.
Best Value
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Does the warning mean you must replace the SSD?
The warning alone does not establish whether replacement is required, what caused the alert, or which SSD is compatible with your PC. Before buying a drive, check the computer manufacturer’s service information or ask qualified support to confirm the model’s form factor, interface, capacity requirements, and service options. If replacing a system disk, also account for data migration or Windows recovery, encryption recovery keys, and any warranty or service coverage.
Microsoft’s separate article about Storage Spaces in Windows covers a Windows storage feature; it does not determine which replacement SSD fits an individual PC.
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