Disk Defragment

What are you guys using? I've read a few threads here, where some swear by it, and others not so much.

If it's 'paid', I'd like to not spend very much. Free is always best, of course.




TIA -

 

Isn't disk defragmentation a standard option of windows? Just type it in search and you should find it right away. If not, go to your computer, and rightclick on your hard drive, then click on properties, then on tools: disk defragmentation should be an option there.

Also some anti virus programs (like bitdefender, which I do not suggest because it ruined my computer) have the option of defragmentating your hard drives.

 

The built in defragger in Vista and Windows 7 is VERY GOOD so there's no need to pay for something to do the same job unless you have money burning a whole in your pocket.

Something else to remember, both Vista and Windows 7 perform auto defrag if you leave the computer alone unattended. This is not to be confused with scheduled backup but more in line with OSX which has built in auto defrag and rearranges certain files in it's "Hot Zones".

If you want to perform a strong defrag, run the command prompt as administrator and type defrag c: -w -v

 

Is there a difference between the way I told to defrag and your way to strong defrag?

 

I use the free smart defrag, it`s great.

http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

If you want to defag you boot files use the file below, wait for the dos box to close on it`s own it can take a while.

 

i sometimes use www.defraggler.com, it's quick (can do file-defrag online, not moving the individual files, just their fragments, which i like for data-disks), it's free, it's from the ones who create ccleaner, which is awesome, too.


BUT besides having only ssds now, not needing to defragment, i would right now only rely on the default defragmenter for a system. it works well enough.

 

Hmm. Seems some people use it, and others don't touch it.

I guess this is one of those "things" that could swing either way I guess.



Thanks for the reply.

 

I've used SD in the past on my desktop. I liked the program. Along with CC. Good programs.

I just got info on programs by word of mouth, I haven't been apart of an online community quite like this. Lots of good info here.

 

That's just a command to perform a thorough defrag. You can try the other free ones if you like.

 

puran defrag hands down best ive ever used crazy light super fast and does a better job then perfectdisk ever did on all my machines

 

I use MyDefrag, it's fast and good.

Edit: And free.

 

Diskeeper 2010 Pro. Fast, automatic loaded with features, and prevents most of the fragmentation before it has a chance to occur. Nice update to DK2009.

 

I just tried the recommended puran defrag , and the dos defrag moved all my unmovable files to the beginning of the hdd instead of being stuck in the middle , it`s a pity it`s not free , but it is a 30 day trial.

 

puran is a awesome program and only 19.95 not at all bad imo

 

Use Diskeeper 2010 (paid) on my new system and MyDefrag (free) on the older ones. Both work well. I'll look into the puran. Thanks

 

I appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Hmm thought I read somewhere that the Vista/7 defragger was pretty slow because it stays on low priority and without some sort of graphic indicator I can't tell if it actually is doing anything and how long it will take. Currently using MyDefrag (aka JKdefrag 4.0+) which is free and is considered one of the best defraggers.

 

personally i dont like jk at all. id use perfectdisk way before jk..

 

I use Auslogics Disk Defrag

 

PerfectDisk 10!

Will try the recommended Puran Defrag

 

I just let Windows handle it with default settings.

Occasionally I'll leave my system idle without an internet connection overnight so it has a chance to index, defrag and do whatever else it needs to.

This strategy has worked well with Vista, and now 7 as well.

 

Is Diskeeper 2010 really worth 40 bucks? Does it really prevent most of the defragmentation before it actually happens?

 

I've used it for several years, their newer versions are essentially, set-it and forget-it. They have great support (had troubles with a upgrade download and they sent me the entire program) so yeah, I'm happy with them.

 

I use the default windows defrag.
Works great and is free.

 

no not at all worth the price imo and it uses a lot of resources compared to many others if not all of them. i want a defrag program to defrag not everything else under the sun.. i also do not agree with the way they as a company have treated employee's i used to know who worked there... not cool...

 

and besides everything, there are tons of free alternatives that should do the job just as well. having payed for it just helps the placebo effect of "it does it well".

 

well i do pay for mine but i have to say puran is imo the best out there and only 19$. i have used and own prob every defrag program out there including perfectdisk, disk keeper, disktrix, o&o, paragon etc puran simply does what it says and can move anything. what was the most impressive was it defragged a 500gb drive that had less then 1gb left free without so much as a complaint or issue. 99% of all defrag programs will simply refuse to do this.

 

Hi all,

I still run the Diskeeper 09 version and I think its worth it. Never had a problem with the automatic mode taking up too many resources or conflicting with other programs.

 

i don't want to know how long this took... but yeah, it's cool that it at least did it

 

I've been using Ultimate Defrag for a while now. I like the placement options you can use with it (In my case I keep all of my videos and larger files on the inside of the disk and everything else on the outside for faster read speed.

Not free, though.

 

i use an ssd. not cheap, but solves all the problems *big smile*

 

Ahh, yes, I'd like to do that myself. Once they start selling 500GB SSDs in the $200-range I'm going to get myself a pair of these babies, too. Maybe next year

 

i'm so happy i could offload my data onto a windows home server. so i could dive into the 200$ range right now, storing most of my stuff on the server...

we're nearing the 2$/gb range.. i guess end of next year is more likely the 1$/gb range. current economics don't like to "drive down prices if not needed".

 

I haven't had any problems with the last few Diskeeper versions, and the 2010 version is no different. It works as it says on the cover: automatically and pretty much 'invisibly' in the background; doesn't affect other apps. As for fragmentation prevention I suppose it works since my drives have negligible fragmentation on them ; well it gives a real-time as well as historical estimate of the fragments it has prevented and those that it has defragged so take it FWIW.

I've tried freeware utilities in the past, and I don't have faith in them*. They have pretty much the same limitations as the default defragger...especially when it comes to defragging system files and in low space...might as well use the Windows defragger in that case, atleast its provenance is known.

* The Chinese (?) company that makes one of the more 'popular' freeware defraggers was found to have stolen and used the malware DBs from Malwarebytes for another of their products.
http://malwarebytes.besttechie.net/2009/11/02/iobit-steals-malwarebytes-intellectual-property/

 

For the most part, I would recommend to simply use Windows defragmenter ... once every 6 months or so will be enough (if you keep your system generally clean to begin with).
Though if you do a lot with the HDD, then more frequent de-fragmentation (perhaps once per month) will be enough.

 

Good old built-in Windows Disk Defragment running on a schedule once a week. All you need.

 

Seconded.

I'm not a fan of having a bunch of extra apps and utilities on my system. I want it to be as bare as it can.

 

I use Diskeeper 2010. Also have the Auslogics defragger (free). http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download

 

Do you really think you need two defragmenters?

 

3. he has the one from windows, too

 

Actually, I have 4 defraggers: Diskeeper, Auslogics, Win 7 defragger and Defraggler. I generally use Diskeeper, but when I'm in an obsessive/compulsive state, I use Auslogics to tidy up fragmented files that Diskeeper considers locked. (like Norton logs). No harm.

 

I know this thread has gone stale for a while now, but I have now spent some time with the newest version of O&O's defragmenter, and I have to say that this program may really be worth its money. In contrast to everything else on the market, O&O has introduced a real innovation in this market with their zone defragmentation. What this means is that the partition is divided up into three separate zones by default, and you can choose the zone in which various folders of yours should go, as well as the defragmentation method used for them. For instance, Windows boot and system files are placed at the very beginning of the partition (respecting layout.ini), and so are files in the Program Files folders. The latter ones are placed in alphabetic order (sorted by folders), in order to minimize head movement and thus loading times for programs. Frequently changed small files are placed in the middle zone, and sorted according to access time, and finally very large, and rarely accessed files are placed at the end of the zone. What files are placed where, and how they are defragmented, is configurable.

After using this for a few days now, I must say that this works very well, and it does minimize fragmentation occuring over time, as well as defragmentation effort. As a matter of fact, I used to partition my hard drives mostly in order to obtain just these benefits. O&O eliminates my rationale for doing that, and saves me some work this way.

I would say that if you are willing to spend money on a defragmentation tool, this might be the one to consider.

 

Pirx,

I probably have used all the defrag programs available, including O&O, but think that I'll be skipping this (at least I'm trying very hard to skip trying this ).

Just curious if, during your testing you tried PerfectDisk 10?

I still partition my HD's for reasons other than 'optimal placement' and find that PD10 still makes a beneficial difference to my systems.

Cheers!

 

Yes, I did try PerfectDisk, which used to be my favorite defragmentation tool until just now. I still like it, and I think it's one of the fastest defragmenters out there.

 

Oh Man! You had to say that!

Now, I guess I have to try O&O too.

From your description though, it sounds a lot like the old Norton SpeedDisk with a million different configurations possible, but none that made a difference (except on O&O, it does).

Cheers!

 

Nothing! It's unnecessary. Worry about other things.

 

Krane,

are you saying defragging is unnecessary?

I'd have to disagree:

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5609787#post5609787


Cheers!

 

Defragging is a scheduled task.

 

Windows will take care of it. Anything more is a waste of time, and may in fact, do more harm than good.

 

doesn't make it necessary for most people.

edit: especially thanks to defraggler. anyone that thinks he needs a defragmentation tool is 100% satisfied by this placebo, even while it's free. no, it's not a placebo. of course not. defragmenting is important. blaaah i remember the days i believed in it