Does using external device spare my internal HDD?

Hello everyone,

I've recently come across this thought and wondered if it can possibly extend a computer HDD or SSD lifespan.

By using an external device to access my documents, videos, images or music, I assume that my computer internal HDD consumes less resources, right? (As opposed to using my own internal HDD to do any of these activities?)

So, the Key question here is: Does the regular usage of an external device (such as USB Stick, external HDD or external SSD) spare and, thus, tend to prolong the computer internal HDD or SSD lifespan?

Or is it just a personal wishful thinking?

Thank you for your tips.

Short answer - HDD no (the HDD is still spinning, so wearing out), SSD maybe (less reads and writes to the SSD as data is on another drive, though OS and swap space still on internal drive).

Your HDD will spin up at Power-On, so it will make little difference.

Most SSDs are good for several million writes, so the few that you make will be unlikely to affect its life in the long-term.

However, If you have an External Drive. Using it as a Back-up, will guard against the possible failure of your Internal Drive

Agree with above.   Though running a External Drive all the time is not what they were made for nor the computer it self.

Heightened risk of USB Driver corruption.   Risk of USB port damage.  Slower for game play. 

There is no up side to use external drives continuously nor using thumb drives continuously.

This holds true with the multitude of MTB Reports showing issues with USB or OS Drive info fail/not initialized issue.

"Most IT equipment functions properly for anywhere from five to ten years. However, the typical lifespan of an external hard disk drive (HDD) is only about three to five years. More expensive solid state drives (SSDs) that use flash memory instead of spinning discs generally last ten years or more."

https://www.cegsupport.com/wondering-if-you-external-hard-drive-has-an-expiration-date/

Edited by Pkshadow, 21 January 2024 - 06:37 PM.