Minimize writes to SSD disks with Windows 7

Solution 1:

Move the temp folders to other partitions

Each user has a designated Temp folder (e.g. C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp) as well as there's the system wide one C:\Windows\Temp. Applications usually access them via the environment variables TEMP and TMP; so actually changing them is quite easy (at least system wide and for the current user).

Solution 2:

Move the page file

Ensure that this is located on another partition.

Solution 3:

Disable hibernation (if not needed)

Hibernation has two main benefits: (relatively) fast booting from power-off; and the ability to continue working exactly where you left off. SSDs greatly improve the boot time and application launch times, which somewhat offsets the usefulness of hibernation.

The hibernation file must be on the boot partition, so it is a significant waste of space (assuming the OS is on the SSD). And permanently freeing as much space as possible can help improve the SSD's performance. It should also eliminate a significant amount of wear on the SSD, compared with hibernate being used often.

Hibernation can be disabled by typing the following in the Command Prompt (as administrator):

powercfg /hibernate off