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!
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Seagate SeaTools
What We Like
It's a one-stop Mac maintenance tool that can protect and tune up your Mac. If you just switched to Mac from a PC and prefer apps that are easy to use, consider Stellar SpeedUp Mac as it all starts with one-click to scan and fix all found Mac issues. It cleans up your Mac hard drive, remove cache and login, keeping empty archive folders, you might have forgotten, which significantly increase your Mac Speed Cleaner, safer, healthier Mac is.
It's hard to conclude the culprits without a thorough diagnosis of your Mac Mini. The reasons that could cause a Mac to run slowly can range from hardware issues, software and macOS system issues, and user behaviors. An open source tool called DelayedLauncher can help you speed up Mac login times. It works by delaying the launch of various macOS login items, and you can fine-tune it to your heart’s content.
Itool For Mac
- 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 is a program that installs on your Windows system. You can do 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.
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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.
There are several tools included in HDDScan, including a SMART test and a surface test.
The program is very easy to use, is completely portable, supports almost all drive interfaces, and seems to be regularly updated.
You can use HDDScan in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2003.
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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 the ability to run a short and extended disk test.
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.
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GSmartControl
What We Like
- There are three tests you can choose to run
- 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.
You can view and save SMART attribute values like the power cycle count, multi-zone error rate, calibration retry count, and many others.
GSmartControl can run 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.
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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.
Unfortunately, only USB and other internal hard drives can be scanned with Windows Drive Fitness Test.
You can install WinDFT to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
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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
- 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 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.
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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 Diagnostic (DLGDIAG) 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.
See the installation instructions from Western Digital in the link below for details.
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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, I tested the most recent version of Windows 10 and Windows 8 without any issues.
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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 (FJDT) is available in both a Windows version and an operating system independent, bootable DOS version. Unfortunately, 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.
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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 (SMART), and run an error scan.
Only Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000 are said to be supported, though I was also able to use HD Tune in Windows 10 and Windows 8, too.
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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 has two main testing utility built-in—a sector test and a SMART value reader.
The SMART test can list over 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.
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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.
This tool can also attempt to correct a number of hard drive problems.
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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 very 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.
One thing in particular that I like about Macrorit Disk Scanner is that you can see how much time is remaining before the scan is over, which some hard drive scanners don't show.
The operating systems that can run Macrorit Disk Scanner are Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows Home Server, and Windows Server 2012/2008/2003.
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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 very 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 completely 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. This sounds like a useful feature but I, unfortunately, was unable to confirm it because my scan returned no errors.
Chrome Cleanup Tool For Mac
I tested Ariolic Disk Scanner in Windows 10 and XP only, but it should also work with other versions of Windows.
Stellar SpeedUp Mac frees up disk space and enhance system performance by removing unwanted files, duplicates and unused applications from Macintosh Hard drive.
Removes Logs, Trash, Leftovers, junk, and manages extensions from your Mac
- Speeds up both the boot volume as well as the other volumes
- Completely uninstalls unwanted Applications in simple 'Drag and Drop' operation
- Removes duplicate files from iTunes, iPhoto, iMovies, iWork and Aperture
- Compatible with OS X El Capitan 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 and 10.6
Awarded by
DailyTut
It automatically scans the entire hard disk drive super fast and displays all the relevant files to remove and complete the uninstallation. Read More
Speed Up A Slow Mac
iGeeksBlog
At its very best, SpeedUp Mac can help you get your Mac back on track with rapid processing time and no delays in opening files and apps. Read More
Key Features:
Automatically Speed Up the Boot Volume
Stellar Speedup Mac automatically detects the boot volume and recommends for scan. The software scans all the Log files, System Junks, Trashes & Leftovers, Manage Extensions, Cache files, universal binaries, language files, large files, and duplicate files, which make the Mac slow and unresponsive. The tool then lists them all in the software interface, which you can remove with a single click of the button.
Remove Junks with Full Version
With the full version of the software, you can remove the Log files, System Junks, Trashes & Leftovers, and Manage Extensions from the boot volume of your Mac. Further, you can remove unwanted applications and reduplicate files-language packs easily.
Speed Up Other Mac Volumes
You can go for a custom scan where you can clean up the volumes other than the Boot volume of your Mac. The software intelligently lists all the secondary volumes in your Mac and runs the modules to remove the Universal Binaries, Language Files, Large files, and Duplicate files from them.
Uninstall any Application by Drag & Drop
Uninstall any unwanted Application, Widget (System as well as User installed) or Plug-in from your Mac by simple ‘Dragging and Drop’ to the Application Uninstaller Area. You can enable the 'Automatic uninstaller' option to uninstall an application, when dragged into the Trash. The 'Applications' option lists all the applications installed inside the Application folder of the system, so that you can easily choose among them to uninstall the unwanted ones. Similarly, the 'Widgets' and 'Plugins' options helps in listing all the Widgets and Plug-ins installed in the Mac system, from which you can select the unwanted ones to uninstall.
Additional Advantages
Quick Look Button to Preview before Removing Files
Preview all Image, Audio or even Video files, and any other data then and there before removing them from the system. You can select the file and click 'Quick Look' button on the tool bar to get a quick preview of the file, which will avoid removing a needed file.
Scheduler to Automate Tasks
Scheduler preferences can be defined to perform various clean up my Mac tasks at a desired Time and Date. Tasks will be automatically executed at the specified time, when the software runs. The scheduler can also be helpful in launching and updating Speed Up Mac.
Filters to Refine Searching Unwanted Files
The Filter Settings option facilitates to set filters, so that you can search the exact categories of file types. With this feature, you can include or exclude any particular category of file types by setting filters.
Automatic Cleaning of Mac Removable Devices
Preferences can be set to automatically remove all unwanted junk files from the device, each time the removable device gets connected to the Mac system. The software cleans the 'Thumbs.db ' file and various junk folders, such as 'DS_Store', 'Spotlight-V100', and 'RECYCLED'.
Duplicate File Finder
Software robustly scans for all duplicate files lying on the Mac hard drive. It finds & removes duplicate files from iWork, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovies and Aperture. You can recover back plenty of disk spaces by eliminating these duplicate files from Mac OS X.
Compatibility & Support
Stellar Speedup Mac offers compatibility to a wide range of Mac OS X variants.
Cleans up: Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.7 Lion and 10.6 Snow Leopard
Cleans up: Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.7 Lion and 10.6 Snow Leopard
Try Stellar SpeedUp Mac for giving your Mac the rocket speed by removing all junks
Software Specifications
Operating SystemOS X 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 & 10.6
Hard Disk55 MB of Free Space
PhysicalYes
Single User LicenseCan use only on a single system
FAQ's
Yes. With the Speed up Mac software, you can quite easily remove unwanted stored caches, duplicate pictures, videos, music files, unwanted large files and those leftovers files that somehow were left on your Mac hard drive.
The software runs deep scan throughout the drive; goes inside the folders to hunt down cache files, redundant iTunes, iPhoto, iMovies, iWork and Aperture files, unused large files, extensions, language packs, etc. Thus, the software saves a good amount of time and human efforts and ultimately removes all the junks found during the scan.
Without a doubt Yes. This is one of the best feature of Stellar Speedup Mac software that helps you remove all duplicate files from Aperture, iWork, iMovies, iPhoto and iTunes. Furthermore, you can remove duplicates data from Documents, Movies, Compressed Files, Applications and Sound files. Go to Stellar Speedup Mac << Preferences << Files to know more….
Also ReadHow to Remove Duplicate Videos and Pictures from Mac Hard Drive
Yes, cleaning junks, duplicates and large files from an external hard drive or SD card is possible with the Stellar Speedup Mac software. Connect your external storage media to macOS port(s) and start the application. You require to switch to Custom Scan to run deep cleaning of junks from external HDD or SD storage device.
Also ReadHow do I clean Mac Startup disk & secondary partitions with Stellar Speedup Mac?
Stellar Speedup Mac software possesses a built-in Mac Uninstaller to provide user a single interface for removing a selected application and its associated files completely from macOS. At times, the Mac's default drag-drop feature fails to remove an application entirely. Some or more leftovers stays behind due to improper uninstallation. However, Stellar Speedup Mac addresses this issue and ensures that no associated files remain on the disk drive. To know more visit Stellar Speedup Mac << Preferences << Advanced << Enable Automatic Uninstaller.
Also ReadHow to uninstall Mac applications using Stellar Speedup Mac?
Best Clean Up Tool For Mac
No, the software cannot restore the language files, once deleted. However, you can get them back by reinstalling the Mac OS X. Or else, if those language files belong to any application, you need to reinstall the application to get them back.
To apply scheduler preferences, follow below steps:
Run the Stellar Speed up Mac software.
Click SpeedUp Mac from the Toolbar. Click Preferences > Scheduler tab.
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