Most users are satisfied with the hard drive utilities that ship with Windows--especially the more powerful partitioning and defragging tools found in Windows Vista and 7. Since you're reading this, though, you're obviously not a 'most' type of user. Here are our ten favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite offering some high-end features, these downloadable programs won't bust your budget.
(For links to all of the downloads in one convenient list, see our '10 Best Free Hard-Drive Utilities' collection.)
Partitioning
Microsoft's DiskPart--included for free on each Vista or Windows 7 installation disc--is a perfectly viable tool for manipulating FAT and NTFS partitions, but only if you're in a command-line kind of mood. The vast majority of the time, I want something fast and graphical that supports all file systems.
Opening Disk Management (Windows 10). Open Control Panel. In most versions of Windows, Control Panel is most easily available from its shortcut on the Start Menu or Apps screen. Tap or click System and Security. Note: System and Security is only found in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. RELATED: 7 Ways To Free Up Hard Disk Space On Windows. These tools are different from disk cleaning applications, which automatically remove temporary and cache files. An analyzer will just scan your drive and give you a better view of what’s using space, so you can delete the stuff you don’t need. EaseUS Todo Backup tool is another cloning software for Windows 10 which you can use for disk cloning. It is effortless to use software and just by making few clicks you can clone the disk. It has Sector to Sector feature that helps in cloning all the files to a fresh hard disk.
Of all the partition utilities I've reviewed, Parted Magic (now in version 6) remains my top pick--not only because it has the free Gnome partition tool (GParted), but also because it has Memtest86+. I'd say that I encounter about one memory problem for every three hard drive problems, so it's nice to have that memory-diagnostic tool around.
If you don't need memory testing, or if you just want an alternative Linux partitioning boot disc, GParted Live is a slightly lighter-weight boot disc that also supports booting from a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. You need to visit the command prompt twice during the boot process, but I have on occasion found that GParted Live boots when the Parted Magic disc will not--and vice versa.
Offering an extremely small footprint and very quick boots, Partition Logic seems to work fine, at least with internal IDE drives. My other favorite freebie is Easeus Partition Manager Home: It's professional in appearance and has all the features I generally need.
SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology)
Today's hard drives have a self-analysis feature that keeps tabs on the drive's health. Unfortunately, although many BIOSs will relay the basic 'Hey, I'm okay (or not)' information to you when you boot the PC, Windows 7 doesn't provide a way to access the details. Several capable utilities allow you to view the information.
If you love the command line, SMART Monitoring Tools might be for you. In a DOS box, entering smartctl -a sda (or sdb, sdc, or the like) will tell you everything you need to know about your hard drive's SMART status--if you can read the sometimes overlapping information.
A better tool for viewing SMART information is Passmark's DiskCheckup. It's free, and you run it only when necessary--it doesn't have any background services sucking up CPU cycles. If you don't run your PC around the clock, this is a better approach. My absolute favorite, though, is the free version of HD Tune; it not only reports drive health (not specified as SMART but the same information nonetheless) but also tests drive performance and scans for disk errors.
If you need constant Windows monitoring for a 24/7 PC, you'll have to pay for a program such as Ariolic Software's Active Smart 2.9 ($30) or LSoft Technologies' Active Hard Disk Monitor ($6 and $15 Pro flavors).
Defragging and Optimizing
In days past (the age of FAT16 and FAT32), regularly defragging a hard drive made a noticeable difference in the speed with which it loaded applications and data--now, not as much. Even so, optimization--placing large, often-used files such as Outlook .pst files in the quickest-to-load location on your hard drive--can speed things up. (For more about the defrag debate, see 'Defragging: Why, How, and Whether.')
One great choice for optimization is an older public-domain version (1.72) of DiskTrix's excellent UltimateDefrag (though that version is now impossible to find at the vendor's site). Despite its age, it still has all the features anyone could want, including the ability to choose individual files to move for faster access.
The Smart Defrag utility has few user-configurable settings--you rely on the program's logic to automatically optimize your drive. It also shows an ad here or there, but the program works well and is smart enough to know that you can't optimize an SSD. UltraDefrag is another very capable defragging and optimizing program that you can run from a command prompt if you so desire.
Disk Usage
If you have no idea what's on your hard drive, or how much of it exists, you have a fascinating and visually appealing way to find out--Disk Space Fan. That isn't fan as in fanatic, but as in the device for moving air. In this case you browse and tunnel down into the data on your hard drive by clicking on a graphic that resembles a fan. The pro features (finding duplicates, delete, move, and so on) are enabled for 15 days; after that, you'll need to pony up $20 to do anything but view. Even without those features, however, the free version is neat. Really. Download it.
There are many free hard drive testing programs available to help you determine what, if anything, is wrong when you suspect there may be a problem with a hard drive.
Tools like Windows Error Checking and the chkdsk command are included in your Windows-based operating system already but some others, like those below, are available from hard drive manufacturers and other developers.
Depending on the issue found, you may need to replace your hard drive if it fails some part of one of these hard drive tests.
Many excellent Commercial Hard Drive Repair Software programs are available as well. Be sure to first try the free hard drive diagnostic software options below before paying for any program!
Seagate SeaTools
What We Like
Works from both inside and outside of Windows
Completely free
SeaTools for DOS works on any operating system
SeaTools for Windows lets you test a hard drive from any manufacturer
What We Don't Like
SeaTools for DOS can be hard to use and install
SeaTools for Windows runs on Windows only
SeaTools for DOS can deal with only 100 errors before restarting
SeaTools for DOS might not work well with RAID controllers
Seagate SeaTools is free hard drive testing software that comes in two forms for home users:
SeaTools Bootable and SeaTools for DOS support Seagate or Maxtor drives and run independent from your operating system on their own USB drive or CD, respectively.
SeaTools for Windows installs on your Windows system. Use it to perform basic and advanced testing of any kind of drive—internal or external—from any manufacturer.
For those looking for SeaTools Desktop, SeaTools Online, or Maxtor's PowerMax software, please note that the two tools above have replaced all three. Seagate now owns the Maxtor brand.
Seagate's SeaTools programs are excellent programs. They're used to test hard drives by professional computer services but are easy enough for anyone to use.
The Windows version of SeaTools works with Windows 10 through Windows XP.
HDDScan
What We Like
Works with all hard drives
No installation need (portable)
Easy to use
Includes a SMART test
Runs on all modern versions of Windows
What We Don't Like
Runs on Windows operating systems only
Doesn't include help docs or tips for how to use the different options
Can't install the program to your computer (it runs as a portable program automatically)
HDDScan is a free hard drive testing program for all types of drives, no matter the manufacturer. It includes a SMART test and a surface test.
The program is easy to use, is completely portable, supports almost all drive interfaces, and seems to be regularly updated.
Use HDDScan in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2003.
DiskCheckup
What We Like
Keeps track of SMART attributes to predict hard drive failure
Can be configured to email you when certain events take place
Well-organized and easy-to-use interface
Small download size
What We Don't Like
Doesn't scan SCSI or hardware RAIDs
Free for home/personal use only, not commercial/business
DiskCheckup is a free hard drive tester that should work with most hard drives.
SMART info like reading error rate, spin-up time, seek error rate, and temperature is displayed, as well as short and extended disk tests.
Details in the SMART section can be configured to send an email or display a notification when their attributes exceed the manufacturer's recommended threshold.
Hard drives that have a SCSI or hardware RAID connection are not supported and can not be detected by DiskCheckup.
DiskCheckup works with Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP and Windows Server 2008/2003.
GSmartControl
What We Like
Choose from three different tests
Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
Lets you view the drive's SMART attributes
A portable version is available
What We Don't Like
Doesn't support every USB and RAID device
When exporting information, it includes everything, not just a specific result you want to save
GSmartControl can run various hard drive tests with detailed results and give an overall health assessment of a drive.
View and save SMART attribute values like the power cycle count, multi-zone error rate, calibration retry count, and many others.
GSmartControl runs three self-tests to find drive faults:
- Short Self-test: Takes around 2 minutes to complete and is used to detect a completely damaged hard drive.
- Extended Self-test: Takes 70 minutes to finish and examines the entire surface of a hard drive to find faults.
- Conveyance Self-test: This is a 5-minute test that's supposed to find damages that occurred during the transporting of a drive.
GSmartControl can be downloaded for Windows as a portable program or as a regular program with a normal installer. It works with Windows 10 through Windows XP. It's also available for Linux and Mac operating systems as well as included in a couple of LiveCD/LiveUSB programs.
Windows Drive Fitness Test (WinDFT)
What We Like
Very easy to use
There are two HDD testing functions
An option lets you perform a deep test for better results
Lets you test more than one drive consecutively
SMART attributes can be viewed
Also lets you erase a hard drive
What We Don't Like
Can't scan the primary hard drive where Windows is installed
No tutorials, instructions, or tips are included in the program
Unable to change where the LOG file is saved
Works on Windows operating systems only
Windows Drive Fitness Test is free hard drive diagnostic software available for use on most drives available today.
The download link below installs the Windows Drive Fitness Test software to the Windows OS, but you can't use the program to scan the drive that has Windows installed. Only USB and other internal hard drives can be scanned with Windows Drive Fitness Test.
Install WinDFT to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Samsung HUTIL
What We Like
Tests hard drives regardless of the OS that's installed
Not too difficult to use
Lets you erase data from the drive, too
What We Don't Like
Windows Disk Utility Equivalent
Tests Samsung HDDs only
Isn't as easy to install as a desktop-based program
You have to have access to a working computer in order to set up the program
The interface is completely text (no buttons you can click)
Samsung HUTIL is a free hard drive diagnostic utility for Samsung hard drives. HUTIL is sometimes called ES-Tool.
Samsung's HUTIL tool is available as an ISO image for burning to a CD or USB drive. This feature makes HUTIL operating system independent and a better testing tool, in general, than those designed for use within Windows. It's also possible to run HUTIL from a bootable floppy disk.
Because Samsung HUTIL is a bootable program, you'll need a working hard drive and OS to burn it to a disc or USB device.
HUTIL will only test Samsung hard drives. HUTIL will load and find your non-Samsung drive but you will not be able to run any diagnostics on the drive.
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic (DLGDIAG)
What We Like
Runs from within Windows
The Windows program can scan hard drives from any manufacturer
Lets you boot to the program if you don't have Windows (or have no OS installed)
The Windows version is easy to use
Lets you scan external and internal HDDs
Also shows basic information about the drives
What We Don't Like
The DOS program scans Western Digital hard drives only
The DOS program isn't as easy to set up as the Windows version
Using the DOS program might be harder than its Windows counterpart
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostics is free hard drive testing software that's available for download in both a portable Windows program as well as a bootable, ISO file and allows for a number of hard drive tests.
Bart's Stuff Test
What We Like
Runs a stress test by writing data to the drive
Tests all hard drives, internal and external, regardless of the OS or file system
Lets you tweak lots of settings
Really easy to use and understand
Runs in portable mode
What We Don't Like
No option to install it to your computer
Officially supports up to Windows XP only
No longer gets updated with improvements or new features
Bart's Stuff Test is a free, Windows-based hard drive stress test.
There aren't a lot of options in Bart's Stuff Test and it's not as thorough as some other tests on this list.
All things considered, Bart's Stuff Test is a decent addition to your hard drive testing arsenal, especially if you're having problems testing with an ISO based tool above but want something besides the Windows default tool.
Bart's Stuff Test is said to work only with Windows XP through Windows 95. However, we tested the most recent version of Windows 10 and Windows 8 without any errors.
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool
What We Like
One of the easiest hard drive testing apps to use
Provides two hard drive testing functions
Runs from within Windows, but there's also a floppy version if you don't have Windows
What We Don't Like
Tests Fujitsu hard drives only
The bootable program runs from a floppy disk only (not a disc or flash drive)
The floppy program isn't as easy to install and use as the Windows version
The desktop program runs on Windows only
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool is a free hard drive testing tool designed for Fujitsu hard drives.
The Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool is available in both a Windows version and an operating system independent, bootable DOS version. However, the bootable version is designed for floppy disks—an image that works with a CD or USB drive is not available.
Two tests are available with Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool, a 'Quick Test' (about three minutes) and a 'Comprehensive Test' (time will vary based on hard drive size).
The Windows version of Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool should work in all versions of Windows, from Windows 10 to Windows 2000.
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool will perform hard drive tests on Fujitsu drives only. If you have any other make of hard drive, try one of the manufacturer independent tests listed toward the beginning of this list.
Windows Disk Tools Open Source
HD Tune
What We Like
Tests several types of storage devices
Includes helpful tests
Information can be saved to a screenshot and copied to the clipboard
The program isn't confusing to use
What We Don't Like
Can't export results to a text file like most programs support
Officially works on up to Windows 7 only, not newer Windows OSs
Only home/personal use is allowed
HD Tune is a Windows-based hard driver tester that works with any internal or external hard drive, SSD, or memory card.
You can run a benchmark read test with HD Tune, check the health status with Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, and run an error scan.
Only Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000 are said to be supported, though we used HD Tune in Windows 10 and Windows 8, too.
Free EASIS Drive Check
What We Like
Scan results can be emailed to you automatically
Runs a surface scan to check for errors
Shows SMART attributes
Checks errors on both internal and external hard drives
Scan results show useful information
What We Don't Like
Hasn't been updated in a long time (the last official supported OS is Windows 7)
Works on Windows computers only
Doesn't include as many features as most other hard drive testers
Free EASIS Drive Check is a hard drive tester that incorporates two main testing utilities—a sector test and a SMART value reader.
The SMART test lists more than 40 values about a hard drive while the sector test checks the surface of the media for reading errors.
The report of either test can be read straight from the program when complete, configured to be sent to you by email or printed off.
Free EASIS Drive Check is said to work with Windows 2000 through Windows 7, but I was able to use it properly on Windows 8 and 10 as well.
Microsoft Windows Built-In Error Checking
What We Like
No download necessary
Also tries to fix any hard drive errors
What We Don't Like
Runs on Windows only
Lacks features found in other free hard drive testing software
Error Checking, sometimes referred to as scandisk, is a hard drive testing tool that comes with Microsoft Windows that can scan your hard drive in search of a wide range of errors and correct many of them.
Macrorit Disk Scanner
What We Like
Great visuals that are easy to understand
Doesn't have to be installed
Works on several Windows operating systems
Updates often
What We Don't Like
Excludes features found only in the paid versions
Free only for personal/home use
Scans just one drive at a time
Includes external links you might accidentally click
Macrorit Disk Scanner is a simple program that checks for bad sectors on a hard drive. It's easy to use and you can start using it in no time since it's fully portable and doesn't need to be installed.
The majority of this screen is used as a visual representation of the progress of the scan and clearly indicates if there's damage.
The operating systems that run Macrorit Disk Scanner include Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows Home Server, and Windows Server 2012/2008/2003.
Ariolic Disk Scanner
What We Like
Checks any hard drive for bad sectors
Shows which files are affected by errors
Portable (no installation necessary)
Very clean interface that's not distracting or confusing to use
What We Don't Like
Doesn't support HFS (only NTFS and FAT file systems)
Ariolic Disk Scanner is similar to Macrorit Disk Scanner in that it's just a read-only scan of a drive to check for bad sectors. It has a minimal interface with only one button, and is easy to understand if any parts of the drive contain bad sectors.
The program is portable and just over 1 MB in size.
One thing that's different than Macrorit Disk Scanner is that Ariolic Disk Scanner lists the files where read errors occurred.
We tested Ariolic Disk Scanner in Windows 10 and XP only, but it should also work with other versions of Windows.