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Introduction
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A disk defragmenter is a key toolkit element for keeping your PC running optimally. Disk fragmentation occurs through normal everyday use of your PC; over time your system becomes unable to store related data on your disk in a sequential (contiguous) manner, and must "fragment" files across different physical locations on your hard drive. This increases the number of times your hard drive must spin (or "seek"), which slows down the process of reading and writing files. Defragmentation software compresses files and free space back into contiguous blocks. Here is an example of a contiguous file system:
Here is an example of a fragmented file system:
Defragmenting your hard drive on a regular basis is a sound housekeeping habit; a chore that most home users should do once a month. By Defragmenting your system, one can greatly increase system performance. Your computer will be able to read files much quicker. It will also relieve stress on your hard drive. |
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Discussion
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Another major option in the playing field of free disk defragmenters is Ultra Defrag. Dubbed the "Open Source" defragmenter, it is a highly capable disk defragmenter that has been on the field for a very long time. It is currently in its fifth release. I found the features to be laid out very well, and the defragmentation speed was above average. This being said, the program's vista support is troublesome. Granted, there are guides to getting the program to running on vista, but for a program not to have native support for vista is a bit too much for me. I will continue to keep the program installed on my XP machine, as it is a good piece of software; however in my opinion, it is not worth the trouble in vista. In spite of this, here is the guide to installing the program on vista. To go along with MyDefrag, there is an excellent addon dubbed "MyDefragGUI." MyDefragGUI provides an enhanced graphical user interface for MyDefrag. It allows the user to access all the advanced features of MyDefrag in one easy console. If you use MyDefrag, then you know that instead of a GUI (graphical user interface) MyDefrag instead uses a series of start menue entries. For those of us who feel uncomfortable with that method, MyDefragGUI provides an excellent alternative.
If your needs for a glossy graphical interface are not a driving factor, Contig from SysInternals is a robust command line utility which defrags one file at a time and results in excellent performance gains. It's fast and safe, but the command line can turn off users. Fortunately, eXcessive software has built an excellent user interface for Contig, called Power Defragmenter that turns Contig into a really usable product. The latest release of Power Defragmenter offers a very nice “TripleMode” option which runs Contig in three passes; defragmenting any remaining fragmented files with each pass. |
Our top pick here is 
Close behind is 
Another company investing heavily in product development of late is Auslogics with its |
Related Products and Link
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Enhanced Defraggler Shell for Defraggler from eXcessive Software. Desktop Utilities with Diskeeper Lite V9 from Intel. Instructions to remove nag screen from Diskeeper Lite. |
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v4.2.1 
Unrestricted Freeware 
Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, 2008, and for X64.
Portable version available
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor drewbee
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IObit software gone with the wind...
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download
new Auslogics 3.0.3.50
Didn't Smart Defrag used to be on this list? Why was it taken off?
Please see the forum thread here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/security/2275-iobit.html#...
I had been using Mydefrag for some time now. But it seems that 4.2.5 is not getting better. I just installed Auslogic yesterday and that is an immediate improvement in start on my win7. I'm really getting very disappointed with Mydefrag. The difference of about 10sec. I time the load time as was told by Mydefrag manual.
Defraggler... beware of new version.. on uninstall it leaves options to "defrag folder with Defraggler" and also on right click Icon openings..
I had to registry edit the icon option and still have folder option..uninstall does NOT remove this!
I think Auslogics Disk Defrag is a great program whose developers work hard to continually improve it. They also offer a slick screensaver app for the defrag program at:
www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag-screen-saver/download
If you have any complaints or know of any bugs with this or any other freeware you use or try out, I'm sure the companies would appreciate your input.
The great thing about Auslogics Disk Defrag is the file tab shows you which files cannot be defragged, and then you can use Unlocker to try defragging that specific file or to (try to) remove that file if you think it's not needed.
Why is Ultimate Defrag (free version) not listed? Also MyDefrag review needs to be updated, im really hating this new version except i dont know where else to go, for instance now program needs to be installed. Power Defragmenter (3.x) is still a very limited GUI for contig what a crap...
I recently came across Flexomizer http://www.flexomizer.com/PermaLink,guid,ce99367e-158c-487a-879d-b32145c... defrag tool. Has anyone ever tried it?
Appears to be more than five years old unless I'm missing a newer version somewhere?
If this is the case then more up to date offerings like MyDefrag and Auslogics have to be a better option.
Auslogics Disk Defrag 3 is out!
http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag
Is this normal: I ran the optimize function on Auslogics for the first time yesterday, and since then every time I finish defragmenting or optimizing the analyze box is always filled with red squares, and this was not the case before the first time I optimized. So do all those red squares mean the disk has not been defragmented?
what you need to do is turn off system restore points. just google it or you can download mydefrag and read about it in the manual.
I uninstalled Auslogics defrag and downloaded MyDefrag. It worked OK but then I downloaded MyDefrag GUI and it seems to work better. I also downloaded SmartDefrag.
Both MD-GUI and SD work great: they defragmented everything and optimized my hard disk. And both are WAY better than Auslogics defrag. Now I just have to decide which one to keep, since having both seems a waste of disk space. So there's my 2 cents.
If you run version 3 of Auslogics Disk Defrag on a system with two monitors (running the release version of 64 bit Windows 7, but it shouldn't make a difference) the main program window appears half on one monitor, half on the other. Fixing this in their code requires a simple change to a constant value passed to the CreateWindow API call. Frankly, this shows poor attention to detail and makes me less inclined to give the software a try.
Rik Mayell - Category Editor Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software
Downloaded after reading your post (thanks). I had defragged this drive once since setting up my new system two months ago but it's never been optimized. I have x64 Vista with a 160g drive but this is dual booted 50/50 with Ubuntu. Auslogics defragged 750 files and optimized the whole partition in just over 10 minutes which i didn't think was bad since there were 8 movies amongst that lot which always slow proceedings somewhat. Nice GUI plus automatic defrag option now in this version and I was quite impressed. I'm no expert in this field though so it will be interesting to see some comments from others who are.
Auslogics DiskDefrag is now at 3.0.2.40 Beta. They have fixed several bugs including missing Add/Delete buttons in the Exclusion window when settings are not at 96dpi, Error message when selecting Settings button, and Scheduler problems. When this release comes out of beta I think it should go to the #1 spot.
MyDefrag v4.2.1 is now available and has changed slightly from the current description on this page. Now it's more user friendly IMO. The standard defrag options have been renamed to Optimize Monthly, Weekly and Daily (which is more intuitive IMHO), and it now comes with a basic but effective GUI built in as standard.
Great find!
The review will be updated.
Yes Mydefrag still Version 4.2 is more frendly and use again 5% SPU!
this defrag is awesum.. I used CC and always had to defrag 3 times..
switched to Mydefrag and ran the monthly optimize and it immediately made my computer faster on loading and file search...
MyDefragGUI 2.1
offers a better GUI for MyDefrag.
-Home Page:
http://mydefrag.8qm.de/
-Download Page:
http://mydefrag.8qm.de/#1
yes this has already been added.
For anyone trying the Auslogics Defrag 3 Beta, this is a reply from Auslogics concerning my feedback to them:
"We already located and fixed problems with missing buttons (this issue arises on systems with displays which are set to 120 DPI or other non standard display settings). Also we fixed problem with debug mode.
These fixes will be available in our next Disk Defrag 3 Beta build which will be available shortly. Once you get it please let us know if both problems disappeared or not.
Thanks for your feedback."
Thanks for the update. It's always encouraging to see a quick and constructive response when users raise such issues with the vendor.
P.S. If you are using other than 96dpi, you can change to it temporarily, set your exclusions, then change back.
I shall not comment on mydefrag (aka jkdefrag)as I have not tried that software since back in the jkdefrag days. I recall that I was not particularly impressed at the time but exactly why I thought that, I can't remember. But I can state from experience that Auslogics is an excellent defrag piece of software and has been on my system for quite some time. Defraggler is nice in that it gives you the option of selecting the files/folders that you want to defrag but it is slow when working on the entire hard drive. IObit smart defrag remains on my system because I like the disk optimizer that is not available in the Auslogics software (I do not work with betas so if auslogics has included optimizing, I am not aware). Diskeeper Lite, IMHO, should not even be included in this list of defrag software. Anytime it takes 12mb of software to defrag a HD, there is something seriously wrong. Other than the facts that Diskeeper Lite will disable some things, take an excessive amount of time to run and is bloated for openers, I guess that some still like the software. You may have gathered that I am not impressed with it. I want to state that the above is my personal opinion and should not be considered the beliefs of the editors/owners of this site. It is also my opinion that this is a great site.
dazeydog
Your opinions are as valuable as our own. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Coming from you, I consider that a compliment. Being able to state your opinion (without being asinine) is one of the reasons I like this site, ergo,
you are quite welcome and I hope it helps someone. BTW, I see that Auslogics in incorporating "optimizing" in their package.....that ought to be real interesting when looking at the ratings for defrag packages.
dazeydog
Maybe I'm paranoid but I always get a little worried when I see the word "optimize" creeping into feature lists. Iobit tripped up with this when they first moved from Advanced Windows Care to Advanced Systems Care, and it took a while to iron out the bugs.
One of the main strengths of Auslogics has always been it's reliability to "do no harm". I just hope they don't inadvertently upset this by tinkering around with the features.
I agree though that these developments should make Auslogics worthy of another look and I'll be interested to see what drewbee thinks when he comes to review the category.
Auslogics has released DiskDefrag 3beta. Among other things they have added an optimization option and it is very fast. As with most beta software though is has some bugs. When this release goes out of beta I'm sure it will put them at the top of the heap for disk defraggers. You can download it here: www.auslogics.com/en/disk-defrag-3/
Here is a report I sent back to them after I tried the beta:
"I am quite impressed with the 3.0.0.25 Beta especially the optimization option and speed. Good Job!
It took me a minute or two to figure out that I had to maximize the window to see the disk map.
One problem I have is that the 'Add' and 'Delete' buttons are missing from the Settings> Program Settings> Exclusion window, so I am not able to exclude any folders.
Also, once when I clicked on the Settings button, a window popped up referring to the debug mode for Auslogics BoostSpeed and said to shut if off to go to the Help button and select turn off debug mode. I am not using BoostSpeed so I don't know where that came from.
I hope this feedback this helps.
Thanks"
As per my routine Auslogics will be reviewed after it leaves beta.
Thankyou for bringing the program update to my attention.
Keep the comments coming and keep checking back.
Drew
I have tried it and its absolutely delightful. It simply has more than any other single defragger and looks better than any of them.
Having been around the industry for some time I guess it was inevitable that Auslogics would improve their own product in light of new introductions and developments from elsewhere. I used the previous version and found it suited my needs perfectly. I would just maybe advise a little caution with this one whilst it is still in beta format.
he's right for those of u on vista you won't nessarly need 1 of these products like smart defrag
I think MyDefrag is far superior to all the other free defraggers listed here, and just as good as commercial defraggers. Am I correct?
I also notice in Advanced System Care 3 from IObit, they have a new utility called top freeware and guess what, you click it and it brings you to this great site, well this is a great site for top freeware after all..
This is good, everyone who uses ASC will discover this great site and find out the top freeware!
anyone know how to defrag a remote pc?
I think to defragment your drive in the background during system idle time is the worst idea in computer history.
I was using IObit.Com Smart Defrag for a month, and my laptop shows a bluescreen of death quite often. Lenovo service center told me there are many bad track on my disk, and change a new one for me.
First off I would get a second opinion on your disk. You can even scan it yourself for errors with a free program like HD Tune.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/HD-Tune.shtml
I'm not suggesting that you service centre is deliberately misleading you but I've seen this so many times before. Otherwise, I've never known a defrag tool cause physical damage but I'll stand corrected if anyone knows differently.
For the future, before you install any important software check out their forum first. All of the issues good or bad will be on display there and will help you make a more informed choice. If they don't have a forum then choose something else because if it's not worth supporting then it's not worth having.
I have used My Defrag for years and believe it is the best available. I also have ASC and Glary. I mostly use Glary. It has features that ASC does not. One of the best is the easy access it provides to Windows built in utilities- Disk Check and System File Checker. I would certainly use Disk Check if I suspected anything wrong with my drive and SFC is one of the first checks Microsoft Tech Support suggest if you have program problems. While these are built in Windows programs my guess is most people do not know how to access them. Glary makes it easy. I have never had a problem caused by these programs but there are features in Glary and other similar programs that I would not feel confident using, duplicate file checker for one.
Since several months I have set MyDefrag and Auslogics. Both are fast and accurate. After I defrag my hard disks with MyDefrag and afterwards I check with Auslogics it indicates that all disks are defragmented and upside down I get the same result. Therefore both softwares work well and used together one can check results. Besides MyDefrag optimizes disks and Auslogics can be set to defrag all disks when the PC is idle. Auslogics can also be set to defrag after deleting Temp Files although I prefer to clean my PC with CCleaner before defragmenting. When I don't defragment for 2 or 3 days and after I do, I notice a little improvement in my PC in the sense everything is smoother and a little faster. I quit using Defraggler since results weren't consistent, in fact I never knew if my disks were completely defragmented. Regarding Smart Defrag it slowed down my PC, sometimes it froze it and the process of defragmentation wasn't fast.
I was disappointed with MyDefrag, to put it bluntly it didn't work on my system!
First I tried the slow optimise but it was using up almost 100% CPU and I couldn't use my computer for any other tasks.
I expected it to take a while so I left it overnight (Started about 9pm) but by late afternoon the slow optimise still hadn't finished.
I decided to halt the program and try the fast optimise, but even that after about 5/6 hours wasn't finished and the CPU was also hovering aound the 100% rate.
I stopped the program thinking that I might have a corrupt download or install.
I completely uninstalled the program and did a fresh down load and a fresh install.
I tried the fast optimiser again but once again the CPU was 100%.
I then decided to see if JK defrag fared any better.
I did a fast optimise and the CPU was only about 5%- 10%...... great...I could use my computer again for other tasks!
Whilst the JK defrag wasn't exactly lightning fast at least I could get both the disk map and statistics all on the same page and yep after about 4/5 hours it did actually finish.
The result?
Well the start up screen is definitely quicker to display, however my Speed Touch modem now takes a few more seconds to load than before, so I've gained some time and I have lost some time.
For JK Defrag I'll give it 3/5
For My Defrag I can only award it 1/5 I'm afraid.
Other Defrag programs I have used were Auslogic and Smart Defrag both were quicker than JK Defrag although I'm not sure if JK Defrag was perhaps a little more thorough.
I'll keep JK Defrag,Smart Defrag and Auslogic on my PC and might do some side by side comparisons when time permits, but you can have back My Defrag.....my system doesn't like it!
KL
Oxford
MyDefrag and Auslogics correlate perfectly, they are fast and accurate.
I've tried a lot but these two are lately my definitive choice.
MyDefrag Slow Optimize took 10 hours to defrag my 160GB hardisk and only finish haft it job before I turn it off.
Too slow.
It seems like my hard drive was too full.
I freed up some space and the process finished much faster.
Glad to hear that.
I have never experienced problems with the program but personal experiences are always appreciated!
Here is also an article to check out everyone: http://lifehacker.com/5348638/five-best-disk-defragmenters
1 more for quicksys disk defrag
quiksys review coming up soon...
I hope your review mentions that QuickSys Disk defrag hijacks your IE homepage and installs Ask toolbar despite being told not to during installation. Fortunately I have a backup image.
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