To disable Windows write caching, open Device Manager, expand Disk drives, open your drive’s Properties > Policies, and uncheck Enable write caching on the device. Select OK to save the change. These steps apply to Windows 11 and Windows 10 when the drive and its storage driver expose the setting.
The short version
- Main method: Open your drive’s Policies tab through Device Manager and uncheck Enable write caching on the device.
- External drives: Select Quick removal (default) under Removal policy.
- Per drive: Repeat the change for each drive you want to configure.
- Other routes: You can also reach drive policies through Disk Management, File Explorer, or Computer Management, depending on the drive.
| Route or option | When to use it | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Device Manager | HDDs and consumer SSDs whose drivers expose the setting | Uncheck Enable write caching on the device |
| Quick removal (default) | External storage, including USB and Thunderbolt drives | Select it under Removal policy |
| Disk Management | Drives with a configurable write cache policy | Open Policies from the disk’s properties |
| File Explorer | Supported drives listed in This PC | Open device properties through Hardware |
| Computer Management | External drives exposing a removal policy | Reach Quick removal (default) through Device Manager |
| Windows disk cache API | Custom administrative software with suitable privileges and device support | Set WriteCacheEnabled to FALSE |
Turn off write caching in Device Manager
Right-click Start and select Device Manager. Expand Disk drives, then right-click the drive you want to change and select Properties.
Open the Policies tab and uncheck Enable write caching on the device. Select OK to save the setting. Repeat these steps for each drive whose write caching you want to disable.
You can use this method for HDDs and consumer SSDs whose storage drivers expose the checkbox. Solidigm supports this procedure for its consumer SSDs but excludes manual disabling on its datacenter SSDs, so do not apply these steps to those models.
Select Quick removal for an external drive
Connect your external drive and identify it in File Explorer. Right-click Start and select Disk Management. In the lower pane, right-click the device’s label and select Properties > Policies.
Under Removal policy, select Quick removal (default), then select OK. You can use this removal policy for external storage, including USB and Thunderbolt drives, on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
If the Policies tab is absent, select Hardware, select the removable drive under All disk drives, then select Properties > Policies. Choose Quick removal (default) and select OK.
Use Disk Management for the cache checkbox
You can also reach the write cache checkbox through Disk Management on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Use this route when your drive exposes a configurable write cache policy.
Right-click Start and select Disk Management. In the lower pane, right-click the target disk’s number or label, such as Disk 2, and select Properties. Open Policies, uncheck Enable write caching on the device, and select OK.
Open hardware policies through File Explorer
In File Explorer, open This PC. Right-click the target drive and select Properties, then open the Hardware tab. Select the physical drive and choose Properties.
Select Change settings if required to expose editable device properties, then open Policies. Uncheck Enable write caching on the device and select OK. You can use this route on Windows 11 and Windows 10, subject to drive and driver support.
Reach external drive policies through Computer Management
For an external drive that exposes Removal policy, you can use Computer Management on Windows 11 and Windows 10. It opens the same device policy available through the standalone Device Manager.
Right-click Start and select Computer Management, or open it by running compmgmt.msc. Select Device Manager, expand Disk drives, then right-click the target external drive and select Properties > Policies. Select Quick removal (default), then select OK.
Automate the change with the Windows disk cache API
For administrative automation, you can use the Windows disk cache API in a custom Windows desktop utility, including on Windows 11. Your utility needs suitable privileges and a disk and driver that support changing the cache configuration. This is a programming interface, not a built-in command or consumer menu.
Retrieve the existing DISK_CACHE_INFORMATION using IOCTL_DISK_GET_CACHE_INFORMATION. Set WriteCacheEnabled to FALSE while preserving the other fields, then submit the structure through DeviceIoControl with IOCTL_DISK_SET_CACHE_INFORMATION. Query the setting again to verify the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quick removal already the default in Windows?
Yes, Quick removal has been the default for external storage since Windows 10 version 1809. That default also applies to Windows 11.
Will my external drive keep its removal policy after reconnecting?
Yes, the removal policy persists when you reconnect the device to the same port on the same computer. The setting applies to that device individually.
Is Accountek’s write caching procedure a setting inside Connected?
No, Accountek’s procedure for Connected clients changes a Windows device setting. You make the change through the drive’s hardware properties, rather than inside Connected.
Does the disk cache API’s minimum Windows version guarantee compatibility?
No, Microsoft lists Windows XP as the minimum client for the interface, but that minimum does not guarantee support by every device. Your disk and driver must support changing the cache configuration.