EXternal HDD

[goch]

Norton 360 will not optimise or clean my external Free Agent HDD - it says this drive is unsupported. Is there any way I can get Norton to clean and optimise my external HDD?

[bjm]

@goch

Norton 360 will not optimise or clean my external Free Agent HDD - it says this drive is unsupported. Is there any way I can get Norton to clean and optimise my external HDD?

Helo @goch

What do you mean by “clean”? → trim?

Note: regarding Optimize → Norton calls Windows

Does Windows recognize your external Free Agent HDD?
Just use Windows → Optimize Drives

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/defragment-optimize-your-data-drives-in-windows-54d4fed1-c96e-46db-b843-8c6b34bd27a4

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Note: my external Seagate (G:) = Unsupported drive

Your Norton product optimizes your permanent disks to improve your PC’s efficiency and speed.

Optimize and defragment your computer with Optimize Disk [here]

[goch]

Before the latest 360 update I used to optimise all my disks in Windows and then repeat optimisation in Norton as advised by the IT Manager where I used to work. Always there was less fragmentation after using 360. So I still use Windoes but can’t follow up with Norton on my external HDD.
The option to optimise/defrag using Optimise Disk manually is not available on my verson of 360 Platinum - version 24.10.9535

[bjm]

@goch

The option to optimize/defrag using Optimise Disk manually is not available on my version of 360 Platinum - version 24.10.9535

Hello @goch
Did you select the drives that you want to optimize?

@goch

So I still use Windoes but can’t follow up with Norton on my external HDD.

appears external are unsupported

[goch]

Forgot to say - by ‘clean’ I meant defrag…

[bjm]

@goch

The option to optimize/defrag using Optimise Disk manually is not available on my version of 360 Platinum - version 24.10.9535

Optimize your computer disks manually

1. Open your Norton device security product.
2. On the left pane, click Performance.
3. In the Performance dashboard, in the Optimize Disk tile, click Open.
4. In the Optimize Disk window, select the drives that you want to optimize.
5. Click Optimize Selected/Optimize All.
6. When the optimization task finishes, click Done.

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360-deluxe/current/solutions/v20240108183610758

[goch]

This is what I see - I cannot select my Free Agent drive and there is no ‘All’ option…

[bjm]

@goch

This is what I see - I cannot select my Free Agent drive and there is no ‘All’ option…

Yes, me too [here]
I’ll imagine external are not supported…until we hear otherwise.

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Where did I put my v24 User Guide?
Oh wait…Norton did not publish v24 User Guide

[goch]

Thanks for digging around…
Bit of a retrograde step from the previous version!
Just thought I’d check my (updated) Norton Utilities Ultimate - it doesn’t even list my external drive.

[bjm]

Yeah, Norton doc does say “permanent” disks.
Maybe, permanent = internal

Your Norton product optimizes your permanent disks to improve your PC’s efficiency and speed.

Optimize and defragment your computer with Optimize Disk [here]

@goch

Bit of a retrograde step from the previous version!

So, v22 defragged your external drive?

[mgirons]

I’m on Windows 11, everything appears to be on OS (C:) drive with partitions. Have a permanent USB Seagate connected for file history, just plugged in another USB drive, neither are listed by Norton. Settings I have Auto off. When doing an Optimise or Disk check use those as supplied in Windows.

[goch]

Previous version of 360 had the ‘All’ option, and degree of fragmentation on the Free Agent HDD was always lower or zero after taking that option. So I presume it did.

[goch]

I’m on Windows 10. Don’t think that makes any difference…