[Fixed]: How to Speed Up Hard Disk Drive Transfer Rate

Low hard disk drive transfer rates can significantly impact system performance, leading to slower file access and data processing. This post explores three effective methods to speed up HDD transfer rates. By implementing these strategies, you can effortlessly speed up hard drive transfer rate and enhance overall system efficiency.

Gia

By Gia / Updated on February 26, 2025

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What happens when the hard disk drive transfer rate is low?

The hard disk drive transfer rate refers to the speed at which data is read from or written to a hard disk drive (HDD). It is a critical performance metric that determines how quickly your system can access and process data stored on the drive. When your hard disk drive transfer rate is slower than expected or below optimal levels, it can lead to several performance issues and frustrations, including:

Slower File Access: Opening files or running applications takes longer than usual.
Longer Boot Times: Your operating system takes more time to load during startup.
Delayed Data Transfers: Copying or moving files between drives or folders becomes time-consuming.
Multitasking Issues: Running multiple applications simultaneously may cause slowdowns due to the drive's inability to keep up with data requests.

How to speed up hard disk drive transfer rate?

If your hard disk drive (HDD) is experiencing a slow hard disk drive transfer rate, it can significantly impact your system’s performance. Luckily, fixing this issue is not impossible. To resolve this problem, we recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant, a powerful and user-friendly disk management tool for Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, and Server.

This software provides many excellent features to help you solve various disk partition issues effectively, increasing hard disk drive transfer rate and improving system performance. Below, we’ll show you how to use AOMEI Partition Assistant to increase hard disk drive transfer rates.

Fix 1. Remove Unnecessary Files

When your hard drive is nearly full, it can slow down data access and reduce the hard disk drive data transfer rate. To resolve this issue, consider removing unnecessary files to free up disk space. Follow these steps to delete junk files using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Free up" > "PC Cleaner" at the top menu.

PC Cleaner

Step 2. In the new pop-up window, click "Start Scan" to scan your computer for junk files.

Start Scan

Step 3. Once the scan is complete, all junk files will be displayed. Select the files you want to delete, and then click "Clean All".

After Scanning

Step 4. Then, all selected files will be cleared.

Finished

Tips: In addition to junk files, duplicate files on your drive can take up significant space. You can locate and remove these duplicates to free up even more storage.

Fix 2. Move Applications to Another Location

If your hard disk drive transfer rate is still lower than expected after removing junk files, consider moving applications from the current drive to another one. AOMEI Partition Assistant makes this process safe and effortless, allowing you to transfer applications between partitions without data loss.

Step 1. Click the "Free up" main tab and select "App Mover".

App Mover

Step 2. Select "Mover Apps" in the next window.

Two Options

Step 3. Select one partition you want to move applications from and click "Next".

Select Partition

Step 4. Then, select the applications you want to move and select the target location, and then click "Move".

Select Apps

Step 5. In the pop-up window, click "OK" to start the process.

Move Warning

Fix 3. Defragment the Disk

In addition to low disk space, file fragmentation can also cause a low hard disk drive data transfer rate. This happens because your files are fragmented when stored in non-contiguous sectors on the hard drive. Defragmenting your disk can reorganize files and optimize the hard disk drive transfer rate. Here’s how to run disk defragment using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

Step 1. Right-click the disk you want to defragment and select "Disk Defrag".

Disk Defragment

Step 2. After that, all partitions on the disk will be listed. You can select a partition and click "Analyze" to check it.

Analyze

Step 3. Wait patiently for the process to complete.

Pause

There are three results:
Score≥90: The current partition is in good condition, no need for defragmentation.
60≤Score<90: The current partition has some fragments, suggest to run the defragmentation.
Score<60: There are many fragments in the current partition, suggest to run the defragmentation immediately.

Step 4. You can click “Details” to view more information about the analysis results, or you can directly click “Defrag” to perform defragment.

Defrag

Step 5. After the defragmentation is completed, the partition will be scored according to the defragmentation result.

Bonus Tip: Replace an Old Drive with a New One

Old drives with lower RPMs or outdated interfaces can also significantly limit your hard disk drive transfer rate. If your hard drive is outdated or showing signs of wear, consider upgrading to a faster HDD or switching to an SSD. Follow these steps to replace drives using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

Step 1. Insert a new drive with sufficient storage capacity to hold all the data cloned from the old drive. Initialize the new drive if necessary.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and click "Clone" > "Clone Disk".

Clone Disk

Step 3. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk and click "Next".

Copy Disk Quickly

Step 4. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".

Select Destination Disk

Step 5. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window and click the "Confirm" button to continue.

Edit Disk

Tips: Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk. Alternatively, enable "4K alignment" to improve the read and write speed of the SSD if the target disk is an SSD.

Step 6. Finally, click "Apply" and "Proceed" to start cloning the hard drive.

Note

AOMEI Partition Assistant supports cloning both system drives and data drives. If you are replacing the system drive, adjust the boot order to ensure your system boots from the new drive.

Final Words

A slow hard disk drive transfer rate can be frustrating, but it’s often fixable with the right steps. By freeing up disk space, defragmenting your drive, and replacing outdated hardware, you can optimize your hard disk drive data transfer rate and enhance your system’s efficiency. AOMEI Partition Assistant make the process easier, ensuring you can speed up hard drive transfer rate without hassle.

Gia
Gia · Staff Editor
Gia is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She possesses comprehensive expertise in resolving common computer challenges. Her methodical training equips her to craft articles that have provided indispensable guidance to countless users grappling with technical issues.