Open a command prompt and type this in exactly where "C" below after -DriveLetter is the drive letter of your external drive


Optimize-Volume -DriveLetter C -ReTrim -Verbose


There are a few dedicated pieces of software that can defrag an SSD properly and safely like SSD Optimizer by Auslogics as one but it does not defrag in the true sense rather than trim and relocate files.

 

You can also use the software to copy your old hard drive, for example, the HDD C:/, along with the operating system, to the new SSD using the migration tool. I've enabled Rapid and Overprovisioning under "Performance."

Crucial MX500 SSD firmware and support - www.crucial.com/support/ssd-support/mx500-support
- Crucial MX500 firmware updates

Optimization and update utility
- Storage Executive optimizes and updates your Crucial SSDs on Microsoft Windows computers. Supported drives: Crucial X10 Pro, X9 Pro, X9, X8, X6, P-series, T-series, T500, MX-series, BX-series, M550, and M500 SSDs

Samsug . Magican Software --> https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/magician/

One click to your perfect setup
Design your drive around you. You can customize your dashboard with
your favorite widgets to match your preferences and usage patterns.

Know your SSD, instantly
Get real-time SSD health at a glance. One simple dashboard gives you a clear view of your drive status so you can check system compatibility, get update alerts and keep performance at its peak.

Genuine Authentication
Verify the authenticity of your Samsung SSD to ensure optimal performance and system stability. A quick check for peace of mind and peak reliability.

S.M.A.R.T Check
Spot signs of trouble before it starts. Built-in diagnostics provide a detailed read on drive health and detect early signs of failure — because detection and protection beat recovery.

Diagnostic Scan
Using Diagnostic Scan, you can run a quick test to check for potential issues or functional errors in your SSD. Troubleshooting made fast, simple and effective.

Easy as move, migrate, done
Get up and running fast with Data Migration. Easily and securely transfer your OS, apps and files from your current storage device to your Samsung drive.

One drive, multiple workflows
Personalize your setup to match your workflow with a single drive. Segment your SSD into isolated sections for better data separation, streamlined management and enhanced security.

Always get optimal performance
Power through tasks your way with customizable Performance Optimization. Choose between full power or power efficiency modes, and your drive will deliver the smoothest, snappiest experience for your selection.

Performance Benchmark
Measure what matters to you with performance tests. See how well your drive is operating with read and write speeds — and even customize test conditions such as volume, chunk size and more.

Over Provisioning
Free up a little space to reap a load of benefits. With Over Provisioning, you can allocate drive space to deliver faster performance and more effective routine maintenance — all while extending the overall lifespan of your SSD.

Data protection you won't think twice about
Secure your drive with easy password protection through the settings. Keep full control so only you can access what matters.

 

1.) TRIM ia a command not supported via USB. If Windows "Defragment and Optimize" detects your enclosure as SSD, you can use its OPTIMIZE function or resort to third-party software to force-trim manually or on schedule.
Another option is to make a batch file with "defrag X: /L /U /V" (X is the letter of your SSD) and use it manually, or set up a schedule in Windows Scheduler.

To create a .bat file, paste the defrag X: /L /U /V command into Notepad, hit 'File'->'Save As" and save it as trim.bat
You can then use this file manually or set up on a schedule.

2.) On my systems, Windows 11 recognizes one USB SSD as an SSD and will perform the Trim function on it but will not perform the Trim function on a second USB connected SSD drive. Attempting to execute defrag X: /L /U /V returns an error that the function is not compatible with the drive.

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/811176/trim-on-external-usb-ssd

 

SSD controllers can only use unallocated space (unpartitioned, empty space) for wear levelling automatically. The controller needs the OS to inform it of which areas of allocated space (your NTFS, exFAT, ext4, F2FS ... partitions) it can safely use for wear levelling, because the controller itself has NO knowledge, concept or understanding of the underlying filesystem.

In other words, you always need TRIM support on the hardware side and TRIM support on the software side.

Break it on one end, break it for both.

 

There is a command to check if trim is enabled on your ssd.
There is also a command for re-trimming your ssd. If you are insane. Why?
Typically, ssd controllers do all the maintenance needed as explained before. 999 out of 1000 times, trim is enabled by default in any modern Windows system from win 7 and onwards, even modded superlite versions. Now if your ssd is nearing its end of life, there's not much to do, other than replace it with a new one. To see its remaining life, check it with Crystal Disk Info (CD Mark is for performance bench) or similar app.
Cheers

 

like always.

 

Yes, I highly recommend it! Defragment your SSD at least once a week. You’ll be amazed at how quickly storage issues disappear. After a few months, you’ll never have to worry about that SSD again. Trust me, bro.


In case it's not obvious: DON'T!

 

Last edited: Mar 16, 2026 at 11:39 PM

Nope. Wrong mr.Roboto.
TRIM is supported by USB via UASP which stands for USB Attached SCSI Protocol. Supported from Win8 and on and Linux, it requires the external USB to SATA (or NVME) bridge chip to support UASP, so it can translate the "scsi unmap" command to the ssd. Consider SCSI Unmap as the equivalent of the TRIM command in this situation. And it works with more than one drives connected of course.
Now for something more useful:
For people who want a reliable USB enclosure for their internal ssd (usually sata but also nvme), i will strongly suggest enclosures with ASMedia bridge chips. This works with np. Avoid JMicron chips. Better spend 20 euros and be sure your data will be intact than spend 8-10 and get screwed.
Look for ASmedia ASM235CM for USB 3.x enclosures and ASM2464PD(X) for USB 4 (also certified for Thunderbolt 4), in an enclosure's specs. There may be a few others as well.
Some latest JMicron bridge chips may support UASP but they have a bad rep and are mostly dodgy.
You will know right away if your enclosure supports UASP, because the moment you connect the drive to a Win10/11 comp, it will be identified as a USB bridge enclosure and the SSD brand and model will be recognized as the "enclosed" drive. You might have to install an app for some ssds. For instance I do have the UGreen CM300 (based on ASM235CM USB3.0) with a Samsung QVO 8tb. I also have a couple of other Samsung ssds (970 Evo Plus and 990 Pro) and Samsung Magician installed. The Magician soft correctly identifies my "external" QVO when i connect it to my pc and trim works just fine.
Interestingly enough, macOS seems to not support TRIM over simple USB, while Thunderbolt drives are fine. Even if forcing TRIM via command line it probably won't enable trim on a USB drive, so you are left with how capable is the drive's controller on garbage collection by itself. If some macOs users know otherwise, feel free to correct me here guys. I am not sure what gives with USB4 enclosures that are also TB4 certified and macOS. If they are identified as Thunderbolt drives then trim should work.
Lastly, @PulseWave ... what is this with all the AI answers man. And your change of nicks and still same answering with AI. It is gettin out of hand because not only you don't seem to know the tech behind all you wrote, but it is also funny to the point of ridiculous because the robot gave you a false answer and you parroted what it said without even taking the time to crosscheck it. Are you planning to bless us with more robot wisdom ? Because then, i will have to -politely- press ignore on your nick. I 've no beef with you, but all this with the Ai is pretty much bullshit mate.
Cheers

 

Last edited: Mar 17, 2026 at 12:32 AM

Damn, genuinely never knew some manufacturers offer firmware updates for SSDs (other than Solidigm which I mentioned).

I wonder how common it actually is to offer that? I would guess only companies manufacturing high end SSDs would even bother.

The Samsung SSD program just looks like bloatware though haha. Reminds me of Lenovo Vantage or ASUS armory crate.

 

Most known brands do. Even "lesser" brands like Adata and Patriot. One brand that comes to mind that doesn't have any support "ssd toolbox" is Intenso. They don't even have a firmware update utility. What you see is what you get with Intenso... forever Anyway, seeing how popular Intenso's budget ssds are, you understand people don't care paying 20-30 euros more and get a drive with proper support.

Yep looks kinda gimmicky but it's not, at least for the most part hehe. They made it sort of pretty and easy so simpletons can find their way using it. Based on the assumption that not all users are techies.
Cheers

 

Sometimes it does not automatically trim external SSD drives. That is the only answer I know of.

 

Hey, what's up To be clear, i answered what happens with external ssds on my other reply man. The one you replied to, referred to internal ssds which will trigger trim always, unless the user did something with it deliberately, like disabling trim via cmd line.

 

Thanks I know you are extremely savvy with I.T. I wasn't disagreeing with you
I must have missed that one, that's all. Cheers