CrystalDiskMark

Looking for a reliable way to test your hard drive or SSD speed? CrystalDiskMark is a popular, free tool that lets you do just that. It’s open source, safe to use, and widely trusted by both casual users and tech enthusiasts for checking drive performance and health. Whether you’re curious about read/write speeds or just want to make sure your storage is running optimally, this app has you covered.

CrystalDiskMark works by simulating real world usage reading and writing data in various patterns and sequences to give you a clear picture of how your drive performs under different conditions. It supports multiple test modes, including peak performance, real world simulation, and even a demo mode. One of its standout features is the 4KiB Q8T8 test, which uses small 4k file sizes to really push your drive and measure its performance under heavier loads.

Compatibility is broad CrystalDiskMark runs on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and Vista, though it’s worth noting that older systems like Windows XP or 95/98 aren’t supported. You can grab it easily from the Microsoft Store just search, install, and you’re ready to go. And if you’re into customization, the app offers fun theme options, including special editions featuring anime style mascots like Shizuku and Tokka. It’s these little personal touches that make the experience more engaging.

While CrystalDiskMark is incredibly useful, there are a few things to keep in mind. Running intensive benchmarks frequently can wear down SSDs or USB drives over time, so it’s best used sparingly. Also, results aren’t comparable across major versions of the app, and if you run it with administrator rights, network drives won’t show up in the results. Still, for most users, it remains a go to tool for accurate, easy to understand drive testing.

If you ever need alternatives, apps like AS SSD Benchmark, Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, or ATTO Disk Benchmark offer similar functionality. But CrystalDiskMark stands out for its balance of depth, accessibility, and that extra bit of personality. Give it a try it’s a lightweight, powerful way to keep tabs on your storage health and performance.