I recently installed Windows in dual boot with Linux (on two different SSDs) and I noticed that Windows automatically “shuts down” or stops the HDD if it is not being used.
I have a HDD (WD) connected by SATA cable where I usually keep my games. The HDD is not always in use but it is always constantly running and honestly the noise it makes is quite noticeable. I’m sure I don’t have any program in the background using it constantly.
I have already tried to solve this problem using hdparm and hd-idle and although in theory they work I still hear the noise from the HDD.
Hdparm has 2 -(Yy) flags that should work for you
In fact I tried it and it did work, and I could create a script that does it automatically, the only problem is that how can I make the script detect that there are no processes that depend on the HDD?
If that’s your goal I would set the apm on the disk so it spins down quickly when not active.
hdparm -B 50 -S 30 /dev/disk