Added a New Drive Just for Files - How to Turn it off From Constantly Running

I received a new machine, Dell 8960.  It came with an SSD for ©, an HDD as a second drive (D) for files, and I added another HDD drive (E) that I already had for more files that I don't use much.

After watching Resource Monitor, I'm fairly certain the drive I added (E) is constantly running when the computer is on Standby or Sleep.  It's noisy, and I don't use it much, so I'd like to have it not running much.

What settings do I change to have this drive not run most of the time?

Thank you for your time in advance.

Edited by Tumbo, 13 February 2024 - 08:06 PM.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/EgUvQu8UbFRvrOJPdEvwGHh

I uninstalled Avast, put the machine to sleep, and the noise starts up.  I restarted to make sure the uninstall was complete, put the machine back to sleep, noise starts up again...

Also does it if the computer is on after a few minutes with no use (Standby?).  If I move the mouse or use keyboard, no sound, dead quiet.

How do I turn off windows search?

Wondering if I could just disable this drive temporarily via Device Manager to verify it as the source of the noise?

I turned off Windows Search.....noise persists.

I disabled the drive.  After restart, noise is gone, so it is that drive.

Curious if leaving a drive that is not used much disabled would actually be a good thing, or if that for some reason this would not be good practice?

I had added it as a second drive in my older XPS8500....I just moved it over to the new machine....always worked fine....

Edited by Tumbo, 13 February 2024 - 09:20 PM.