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How to Find if my PC has HDD, SSD, or NVMe

In this guide, we will be answering three questions- whether your PC has HDD, SSD, or NVMe, does your PC has SATA SSD or NVMe SSD, and finally, the steps to find the name of the hard disk. There exist three different types of disk drives for a computer- HDD, SSD, and NVMe. Hard Disk Drives [HDD] are the traditional storage devices that use an electromechanical approach to store and retrieve data.

On the other hand, the Solid State Drives or SSDs store data on flash memory. Likewise, Non-Volatile Memory Express is also an SSD but instead of a cable, it uses M.2 form factor to connect to the motherboard. Moreover, they also use the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface, and hence they are technically known as NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD.

However, do keep in mind that if you only hear the term SSD, then it would be pointing to the SATA SSD and not the NVMe one. Out of these three, NVMe is the fastest one, which is followed by SSD, and finally the HDD. So with this, you must have got a decent idea regarding the difference between the three drivers. Let’s now address the elephant in the room-

Does my PC have HDD or SSD?

PC has HDD SSD NVMe

There exists three different methods through which you could get this answer- using Windows Optimize Drives Tool, via Powershell, and using Task Manager. We have listed all these three methods below, you may refer to the one that is in sync with your requirement. Do note that this section will only answer if your PC has HDD or SSD. Once you get the answer [and if it is SSD], you should move over to the next section and get the answer regarding the type of SSD your PC has- SATA or NVMe.

Check via Task Manager

  1. Bring up the Task Manager via Ctrl+Shift+Esc shortcut keys.
  2. Now go to the Performance tab.
  3. You will be able to view whether your drive is HDD or SSD.

Check Using Windows Optimize Drives

  1. Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows+R shortcut keys.
  2. Then type in the below command and hit Enter to launch Optimize Drives.
    dfrgui
  3. Now check the Media Type section. It will let you know if your drive is SSD or HDD.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

Check via Powershell

  1. Launch Powershell as an administrator from the Start Menu
  2. Then type in the below command and hit Enter
    Get-PhysicalDisk
  3. Now refer to the Media Type section and you will get the answer.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

Does my PC have SATA SSD or NVMe SSD?

So your PC does has an SSD, but which one is it, whether SATA or NVMe? Well, this is what this section will help to find out. For that, you may refer to either of the two methods- via the Settings menu or using Device Manager.

Check via Settings Menu

  1. Launch the Settings menu via Windows+I shortcut keys.
  2. Then go to System > Storage page > Advanced storage settings > Disks and Volumes.
  3. After that, select the hard disk of your choice and click on Settings.
  4. Now refer to the Bus Type section, it will list out NVMe or SATA.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

Check using Device Manager

  1. Use Windows+X and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
  2. Then expand the Disk drives section, right-click on your Drive name [see next section], and select Properties.PC has HDD SSD NVMe
  3. Now go to the Details tab and select Hardware Ids under Properties drop-down menu.
  4. You will get a few values, with either the NVMe or SATA keyword.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

How to Find the Name of the Hard Disk

So now that you whether your PC has HDD, SSD, or NVMe, let’s also make you aware of the steps to find the name of your hard drive.

Check via Task Manager

  1. Bring up the Task Manager via Ctrl+Shift+Esc shortcut keys.
  2. Now go to the Performance tab and you will be able to view the name of your hard disk at the top right.PC has HDD SSD NVMe
  3. Copy it and search it on Google. You will get the answer if it is HDD, SSD, or NVMe.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

Check using Powershell

  1. Launch Powershell as an administrator from the Start Menu
  2. Then type in the below command and hit Enter
    Get-PhysicalDisk
  3. Now refer to the Friendly Name section and it will list out your hard disk name.
  4. Copy it and search it on Google. You will get to know if it is HDD, SSD, or NVMe.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

Check via System Information Tool

  1. To begin with, open Run via Windows+R shortcut keys
  2. Then type in the below command to launch the System Information Tool
    msinfo32
  3. After that, go to Components > Storage > Disks from the left-hand side.
  4. Refer to the value under Model Number. Copy it and find it on Google, as before.PC has HDD SSD NVMe

So with this, we round off this guide on how you could find if your PC has HDD, SSD, or NVMe. Along with that, the steps to check for SATA SSD or NVMe SSD as well as the steps to find the name of the hard disk have also been discussed. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.


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  • Chris Markis

    I think you are missing the Question. Example part number:
    SK hynix SC311 SATA 128GB SSD

    This an SSD.
    Is it 2.5″ SATA or m.2 SATA ??

    If you copy this part number to GOOGLE, it shows “both” types.
    So, when I’m scanning Computer Hardware, how can I tell which it is?
    2.5″ SATA or m.2 SATA ?

    Thank you in advance. 🙂

  • Nice