Here are my top recommendations that I’ve been suggesting to people for years.
Most apps have similar features, but some only work on specific hard drives.
Your Windows PC includes tools like Windows Error Checking and thechkdsk command.
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Still, others, like those below, are available from hard drive manufacturers and other developers.
Seagate SeaTools
Works from both inside and outside of Windows.
SeaTools for DOS works on any operating system.
Western Digital Dashboard for Windows.
Windows tool lets you test a hard drive from any manufacturer.
SeaTools for DOS can be hard to use and install.
DOS version can deal with only 100 errors before restarting.
DOS edition might not work well with RAID controllers.
They are used to test hard drives by professional computer services but are easy enough for anyone to use.
The Windows version should work with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
There’s also a Linux version.
Seagate now owns the Maxtor brand.
Microsoft Windows Built-In Error Checking
No download necessary.
Also tries to fix any hard drive errors.
Runs on Windows only.
Lacks features found in other free hard drive testing software.
It’s built into all modern versions of Windows.
GSmartControl
Choose from three different tests.
Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Western Digital Dashboard for Windows.
Lets you view the drive’s SMART attributes.
A portable version is available.
Doesn’t support every USB and RAID gear.
When exporting information, it includeseverything, 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.
HDDScan
Works with all hard drives.
No installation need (portable).
Includes a SMART test.
Runs on all modern versions of Windows.
No built-in help docs or tips for using it.
Can’t roll out the program to your box (it runs as a portable program automatically).
HDDScan is a free hard drive testing program for all types of drives, no matter the manufacturer.
It includes aSMARTtest and a surface test.
Samsung HUTIL
Tests hard drives regardless of the OS that’s installed.
Not too difficult to use.
Lets you erase data from the drive, too.
Tests Samsung HDDs only.
Isn’t as easy to install as a desktop-based program.
Must have access to a working computer to set up the program.
Text interface (no buttons you’re free to click).
Hasn’t been updated in many years.
Samsung HUTIL is a free hard drive diagnostic utility for Samsung hard drives.
HUTIL is sometimes called ES-Tool.
This tool is available as anISOimage for burning to a CD or USB drive.
It’s also possible to run HUTIL from abootablefloppy disk.
HUTIL willonlytest Samsung hard drives.
Western Digital Dashboard
Runs from within Windows.
Really easy to use.
Also shows basic information about the drives.
Scans Western Digital hard drives only.
Western Digital Dashboard is free hard drive testing software for Windows that lets you run several hard drive tests.
It supports viewing Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) information.
This tool can also be used to wipe a hard drive using the Write Zerodata sanitization method.
HD Tune
Tests several types of storage devices.
Information can be saved to a screenshot and copied to the clipboard.
The program isn’t confusing to use.
Can’t export results to a text file.
Officially works on up to Windows 7 only.
Only home/personal use is allowed.
Last updated in 2008.
DiskCheckup
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.
Doesn’t scan SCSI or hardware RAIDs.
Free for home/personal use only, not commercial/business.
DiskCheckup should work with most hard drives.
Free EASIS Drive Check
Scan results can be emailed to you automatically.
Runs a surface scan to check for errors.
Checks errors on both internal and external hard drives.
Scan results show useful information.
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.
Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool
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.
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.
It’s available in both a Windows version and an OS-independent, bootable DOS version.
The Windows version is said to work with Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
It might also run just fine in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Download For:
This tests Fujitsu drives only.
Windows Drive Fitness Test (WinDFT)
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.
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.
No longer receives updates.
Windows Drive Fitness Test is free hard drive diagnostic software available for use on most drives available today.
Only USB and other internal hard drives can be scanned.
Macrorit Disk Scanner
Great visuals that are easy to understand.
Doesn’t have to be installed.
Works on several Windows operating systems.
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 simple program that checks for bad sectors on a hard drive.
It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Windows Server support is available for paying customers.
Ariolic Disk Scanner
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.
Doesn’t support HFS (only NTFS and FAT file systems).
Displays an ad after each scan.
The program is portable and just over 1 MB in size.
