Microsoft's latest update reveals the reasons why your Windows SSD might not be performing at its best.

      Digital Trends may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links on our site. Why should you trust us?

      A hidden NVMe driver could potentially enhance speeds, but there are drawbacks for typical users.

      Microsoft has discreetly integrated a powerful storage technology into Windows, generating excitement among enthusiasts regarding its impact on SSD performance. The company rolled out a native NVMe driver in Windows Server 2025 that circumvents long-standing legacy bottlenecks in Windows' communication with modern solid-state drives. While this update wasn't officially intended for Windows 11, enterprising users have discovered a method to activate it there as well. More significantly, early findings indicate that one can achieve noticeably better speeds from their NVMe SSD with some modifications.

      For years, Windows has utilized a general-purpose storage strategy known as SCSI translation. Even when connecting a high-speed NVMe drive capable of processing thousands of parallel I/O commands, the operating system redirects those commands through an outdated, hard-drive-centric pathway, introducing latency and restricting throughput. The newly introduced native NVMe driver eliminates this translation, enabling the drive to interact more directly with Windows. In enterprise systems that officially employ this driver, Microsoft reports substantial improvements in random IOPS and reduced CPU overhead.

      The downside of accessing increased SSD speeds

      Interestingly, the tech community has identified that this same driver is included in specific consumer OS builds as well. By simply adding a few keys to the Windows registry, users can activate the native NVMe driver instead of the traditional SCSI-based one. Initial reports on Reddit and other forums regarding benchmark tests indicate throughput gains, with some tests showing as much as a 45% increase in transfer speeds.

      Enabling NVMe native drivers in Windows 11 (tested on 25H2) has shown to be effective. Users can open the registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetPoliciesMicrosoftFeatureManagementOverrides, and add DWORD 32 Bits: “735209102”=dword:00000001 and “1853569164”=dword:00000001…

      The enhancement in speed is most significant in random access workloads, which are more critical for responsiveness and system agility than for purely sequential data transfers. However, there are risks involved. Altering the registry can lead to data corruption or boot problems if not done correctly, so it is highly recommended to perform full backups before attempting such changes. Additionally, compatibility with third-party SSD tools and some backup software may vary when the driver is altered, as highlighted by Tom’s Hardware.

      For the typical user, the speed enhancements may not result in substantial improvements for daily activities like gaming load times or simple file transfers, as most mainstream operations already perform swiftly on modern NVMe drives. However, for power users, storage experts, or those who run IOPS-intensive applications, having more direct access to the hardware could be quite advantageous. If you are interested and comfortable with making registry changes, you can follow the steps outlined in the post above.

      Varun is a seasoned technology journalist and editor with over eight years of experience in consumer tech media. His work encompasses…

      Your next prebuilt PC may be delivered with no RAM.

      Paradox Customs has introduced a distinctive option in its prebuilt PC configurator: the choice to order a system without any RAM installed. The boutique builder asserts that this move directly addresses the significant memory shortage and soaring DRAM prices currently affecting the industry, which have made it challenging for system builders to maintain kits in stock at a stable price. For purchasers who already have RAM available or seek better deals elsewhere, this option allows them to circumvent the "RAM tax" that has been inflating prebuilt costs.

      A practical response to an unpredictable market.

      Mozilla is set to unveil a Firefox AI kill switch, but its release is not imminent. In response to an open letter on Reddit aimed at Mozilla’s new CEO, a Mozilla representative writing as user anthony-firefox stated that a genuine kill switch to disable AI features will arrive in Q1 2026. This reply aims to reassure concerned users about two aspects: Firefox must cater to a diverse user base, including developers, Linux users, students, parents, and those who prefer default settings, and it will continue to prioritize user control. The letter, authored by a self-proclaimed developer and everyday user, suggests that the issue lies more in execution than in ambition, especially when user feedback goes unaddressed.

      The upskilling opportunity: AI PCs are vital for workforce transformation.

      The impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace is now a practical reality. AI tools enhance processes, create content, and extract insights at unprecedented speeds. However, for some professionals, utilizing AI's potential can seem out of reach—not due to technological barriers, but rather because they have not been educated on how to utilize it effectively. AI PCs are set to change that landscape. These next-generation devices come equipped with on-device AI optimization, natural language models, and smart workflows integrated into