Comment by kasabali

2 years ago

AFAIK Windows runs TRIM when you format a partition. So you can create a dummy partition and format it. Then you can either delete or simply not use it.

On Linux, blkdiscard can be used in the same manner (create a dummy partition and run blkdiscard on it ex. *blkdiscard /dev/sda2).

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kasabali

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bravetraveler  2 years ago

If one prefers working with LVM for their devices, that can be a similar wrench. Making/removing a logical volume can do the same

It depends on 'issue_discards' being set in the config

This has drifted over time. I haven't quite rationalized why. Hoping someone can remind me if nothing else, away from a real computer for a bit.

formerly_proven  2 years ago

Windows by default issues TRIMs basically instantly when deleting a file, and runs "Optimize disk" (which trims all free space) on a schedule by default as well.

rzzzt  2 years ago

You can go into Properties > Tools > Optimize, the same button that runs defrag on spinning drives runs TRIM on solid state devices.

FooBarWidget  2 years ago

What about external SSDs over USB? How do you trim those?

  • wtallis  2 years ago

    There are trim-equivalent commands in the ATA, SCSI, and NVMe command sets. So the OS can issue the SCSI command to the USB device that's using UASP, and the bridge chip inside the external SSD can translate that to the ATA or NVMe counterpart before passing it on to the SSD controller behind the bridge. Not all external SSDs or bridge chips actually support trim passthrough, but these days it's standard functionality.