SpinRite

Spec sheet

Purpose

SpinRite scans magnetic and solid-state storage to verify, restore, repair, and improve data readability.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Support

GRC says it provides pre- and post-sales assistance and directs users to its technical support resources.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Headquarters

Laguna Hills, California, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Founded

1985Read 28 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Boot requirement

SpinRite 6.1 is a DOS application and cannot boot on systems without BIOS support; GRC offers the BootAble freeware to check compatibility.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Computer compatibility

Version 6.1 requires an Intel or AMD PC with a 32- or 64-bit processor and BIOS or BIOS-compatible firmware; it does not currently run on ARM PCs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Data recovery

The maker says SpinRite attempts to recover unreadable or barely readable data and rewrite recovered data to the media.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Download and boot media

The SpinRite executable runs under Windows to create bootable media, which starts SpinRite under its included FreeDOS system.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Future platform plans

GRC says it is exploring Windows and RTOS-32 versions but cannot commit to a release date.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

No low-level formatting

SpinRite does not low-level format IDE, EIDE, SATA, or SCSI drives.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Performance limit

GRC says SpinRite 6.1 can take a long time on large drives and gives about two hours per terabyte as a rule of thumb for modern directly connected SATA drives.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

SMART monitoring

SpinRite monitors SMART feedback while a drive is under read and write workload.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

SSD maintenance

The maker says SpinRite can refresh solid-state media and recommends running it annually on SSDs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Supported storage

SpinRite works on mass-storage devices independently of operating system and file system, including spinning and solid-state media.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Updates and replacement

GRC says purchasers can use their receipt links or transaction code to retrieve the latest version or replace a lost download.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

USB connections

USB connections can be used when necessary, though GRC says direct PATA or SATA connections are best.Read 30 Sep 2026 · grc.com

Plans and prices

Every SpinRite plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Disk Diagnostic Software#24 of 266.8