OWC SoftRAID V.8.5 Software for macOS and Windows

Other World Computing (OWC) announced the release of SoftRAID 8.5, the latest update to its RAID management software for macOS and Windows.

Packed with dozens of enhancements, SoftRAID 8.5 delivers increases in reliability, functionality, and performance – ensuring next-level data protection, functionality, and system stability for everyone from video editors to IT administrators, novices to power users.

SoftRAID Mac 8.5: Enhanced Resilience and Performance
The SoftRAID 8.5 driver, included with Apple’s macOS 15.4 update, introduces significant improvements for RAID-4/5 volumes, particularly when dealing with failing HDDs and SSDs. The driver now proactively marks a disk as failed upon detecting the first read or write error, ensuring uninterrupted performance by leveraging RAID redundancy to reconstruct data dynamically.

Other key enhancements include:

Improved Disk Failure Handling – Prevents RW errors when a drive in a RAID-4/5 volume fails.
Better Handling of Disconnected Disks – Ensures stability even when multiple disks or enclosures are disconnected while volumes remain mounted.
Enhanced SoftRAID Tool for Administrators – The command-line tool has been refined with expanded functionality, allowing more SoftRAID tasks to be executed from a Terminal window or via scripting.

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SoftRAID Windows 8.5: Expanded RAID Functionality and Stability Updates
SoftRAID 8.5 for Windows introduces a range of new features and critical fixes, further aligning it with the power and flexibility of SoftRAID for Mac.

Key enhancements include:

New Cross-Platform Support – Now supports mounting, reading, and writing non-RAID volumes created on SoftRAID for Mac.
Enhanced RAID-1+0 Management – Users can now change primary disks and remove member disks from RAID-4/5/1+0 (10) volumes.
Diagnostics Tool Upgrade – Improved troubleshooting capabilities with the latest diagnostic enhancements.
Optimized TRIM Handling – Increased efficiency for RAID-4/5 SSD volumes.
Event Log Improvements – More detailed logging for system events.
Added Compatibility – Supports Window Volume Shadow Copy Service, which allows users and apps to create backup copies of files or entire volumes.
Enhanced System Stability and RAID Management – Introduced key updates to improve volume validation, ensure automatic rebuilds, and strengthen RAID-1+0 handling, delivering a highly reliable and resilient experience.

“OWC SoftRAID 8.5 represents our ongoing commitment to delivering cutting-edge RAID solutions that work just as hard as our users do,” said Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO, OWC. “Whether you’re a content creator, IT professional, or someone simply looking for dependable data protection, this update brings even more performance, reliability, and flexibility to both Mac and Windows platforms.”

OWC SoftRAID 8.5 is generally available (GA) as a free update for existing users with an active SoftRAID subscription. New users can purchase SoftRAID from the company webstore.