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How to Fix Slow SSD Performance on Surface Book in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Slow SSD performance on your Surface Book can be frustrating, especially when you expect fast and smooth operation. Fortunately, there are simple ways to improve the speed and responsiveness of your SSD in Windows 11. This guide will walk you through easy steps to fix slow SSD issues.

Each step is explained clearly, so even if you’re not very tech-savvy, you can follow along without trouble. Improving SSD performance can extend the life of your device and make day-to-day tasks much quicker.

Whether your Surface Book feels sluggish during file transfers or app launches, these methods can help restore speed. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the fixes.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to optimize your SSD and keep your Surface running smoothly.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before making any changes, it’s important to:

  • Check your SSD health: Use tools like Windows’ built-in chkdsk or third-party apps to see if your SSD has errors.
  • Ensure your Surface Book is plugged in: Some power-saving modes reduce SSD speed when running on battery.
  • Back up important data: Always keep a backup before making system changes.
  • Update Windows and drivers: Slow SSD performance can sometimes be fixed by installing the latest updates.

Step 1: Check and Adjust Power Settings

Windows 11 may limit SSD speed to save battery power. Adjusting power settings can help your SSD perform better.

  1. Click the Start button and open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Power & battery.
  3. Under Power mode, select Best performance.
  4. Restart your Surface Book to apply the changes.

Why this matters: Power-saving modes reduce hardware speed to save battery life, which can throttle your SSD. Setting it to Best performance lets your SSD run at full speed.

Step 2: Disable Windows Search Indexing Temporarily

Windows Search indexing constantly scans files and folders, which can slow down SSD performance during heavy use.

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Scroll down to find Windows Search.
  3. Right-click it and select Properties.
  4. Click Stop to temporarily disable the service.
  5. Set the Startup type to Manual or Disabled to prevent it from running automatically.
  6. Click OK and check if your SSD performance improves.

Note: Disabling indexing may slow down file searches but can help diagnose if indexing was causing the slowdown.

Step 3: Run Disk Cleanup

Removing unnecessary files can improve overall system performance, including SSD speed.

  1. Search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and open it.
  2. Select your SSD drive (usually C:) and click OK.
  3. Check the boxes for files you want to delete, such as Temporary files and Recycle Bin contents.
  4. Click Clean up system files for more options, repeat drive selection.
  5. After selecting files, click OK then Delete Files.

Why this helps: Freeing up space reduces the SSD’s workload and can improve write/read speeds.

Step 4: Update SSD Firmware and Drivers

Outdated firmware or drivers can cause poor SSD performance. Keeping them updated ensures compatibility and speed.

  1. Go to the official Surface support page.
  2. Download and install the latest firmware and driver updates for your Surface Book.
  3. Alternatively, open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc), expand Disk drives, right-click your SSD, and select Update driver.
  4. Follow the prompts to search automatically for updated drivers.
  5. Restart your device after updates.

Note: Firmware updates are critical as they fix bugs and improve SSD performance at the hardware level.

Step 5: Check for Background Processes Using Task Manager

Some programs may be using your SSD heavily without you knowing, causing slowdowns.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Disk column to sort processes by disk usage.
  3. Identify any programs with high disk usage.
  4. If you find unnecessary apps consuming a lot of resources, right-click them and choose End task.

Why this matters: Heavy disk usage by background apps can reduce SSD responsiveness.

Step 6: Enable TRIM Command

TRIM helps maintain SSD performance over time by cleaning unused data blocks.

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

If the result is DisableDeleteNotify = 0, TRIM is enabled. If it shows 1, run this command to enable it:

fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0

Restart your Surface Book after enabling TRIM.

Why this step is important: TRIM helps the SSD manage space efficiently, which keeps speeds high.

Step 7: Reset Virtual Memory (Paging File)

Windows uses virtual memory on your SSD; incorrect settings can impact SSD speed.

  1. Open Settings, then go to System > About.
  2. Click Advanced system settings on the right side.
  3. Under the Advanced tab, click Settings in Performance.
  4. Go to the Advanced tab again and click Change under Virtual memory.
  5. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
  6. Select your SSD drive, choose Custom size, and set Initial and Maximum sizes to the recommended values shown at the bottom.
  7. Click Set, then OK to apply changes.
  8. Restart your device.

Note: Proper virtual memory settings prevent unnecessary SSD strain and improve performance.

Alternative Advanced Option: Perform a Clean Boot

If slow SSD performance persists, a clean boot can help identify if third-party software causes the issue.

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  3. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
  4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  5. Disable all startup items.
  6. Close Task Manager and click OK in System Configuration.
  7. Restart your Surface Book.

If performance improves, enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my SSD slow on my Surface Book?

Common reasons include power-saving settings limiting SSD speed, outdated drivers, background processes using disk resources, or SSD health issues.

How often should I update my SSD firmware?

Check for firmware updates every few months or when you experience performance problems. Updates fix bugs and improve speed.

Can a full SSD cause slow performance?

Yes, SSDs need some free space to operate efficiently. Try to keep at least 10-15% of the drive free.

Is TRIM enabled by default in Windows 11?

Usually, yes. But it’s good to check and enable it if it’s turned off to maintain SSD health and speed.

Will disabling Windows Search affect my computer?

Disabling indexing can slow down file search speeds but may improve overall SSD performance temporarily.

How do I know if my SSD is failing?

Signs include frequent errors, slow read/write speeds, and system crashes. Use diagnostic tools to check SSD health.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your SSD is still slow, consider these options:

  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Surface support page for help.
  • Use Windows 11 Reset: Back up your data and use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC to reinstall Windows.
  • SSD Replacement: If diagnostics show hardware failure, you may need to replace your SSD.

Conclusion

Slow SSD performance on your Surface Book in Windows 11 can usually be fixed by simple adjustments and maintenance. Start by checking power settings and disabling unnecessary services, then clean up your drive and update firmware. Monitoring background processes and enabling TRIM ensures your SSD stays fast over time.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can enjoy faster file access, quicker app launches, and a more responsive device. Remember to back up your data regularly and keep your system updated for the best performance.

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