S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology)

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) is a system built into hard drives and SSDs that continuously checks their health and performance. It tracks various indicators—like temperature, read/write errors, and runtime—to detect potential issues early. If the system identifies a problem, it can warn users before a drive fails completely, helping prevent data loss. Essentially, S.M.A.R.T. acts as the drive’s own health monitor, providing valuable insights to maintain data safety and optimize performance over time.