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Best Free Disk De-fragmenter

 
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  Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide
Introduction

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.

Discussion

 

MyDefrag

Well ladies and gentlemen, MyDefrag has been dethroned. I rarely move around the top product, for I once thought that no program could beat the programming skills that have developed such masterpieces such as MyDefrag and JKDefrag. However I stand corrected. The last couple of releases for MyDefrag were very frustrating experiences for me. That being said, I waited around in hopes of a better version being released. This corrected version, has yet to be released. On the other hand, Auslogics latest release (3.1.1.80) is way ahead of the competition. I found the defragmentation time to be incredibly fast. Analyzing my disks took seconds, and for the first time in a while, the long process of defragmenting my hard drive was shrunk to minutes. I now officially recommend Auslogics as the best free disk defragmenter.

 

A great free program here is MyDefrag, which is actually the successor to a very popular program called JkDefrag. JkDefrag has been a favorite among many computer users for years. It provides stability and performance within a very lightweight package. I've been folowing MyDefrag since its beta, and I have been very impressed with the software.  Aside from the Slow Optimize, all the processes run very fast. With other defragmenters, I was always irritated because no matter how many times I would defragment, upon analyzing afterwards, I would still have fragmented files that refused to defragment. MyDefrag completely solved the problem for me. Those stubborn files were ironed out and in my testing I personally saw increases in disk performance.

 Defraggler

Close behind is Defraggler – a solid combination of performance, stability and usability from Piriform. We have been watching Defraggler since its Beta release and now that some of the early bugs have been ironed out with its most recent version, it’s a good, safe bet. With a very clean interface design based on the common Windows defrag interface, Defraggler is incredibly easy to use and offers all the options you need to keep your machine running smoothly – including the ability to defragment individual files and folders as well as an in-built defragmentation scheduler. As an added bonus, excessive Software – the guys behind the popular Power Defragmenter interface – have released a shell extension called Enhanced Defraggler Shell which allows Defraggler to be run directly from the Windows Explorer context menu.

 

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.
 


Related Products and Link

Enhanced Defraggler Shell for Defraggler from eXcessive Software.

Desktop Utilities with Diskeeper Lite V9 from Intel.

Instructions to remove nag screen from Diskeeper Lite.

Quick Selection Guide

Auslogics Disk Defrag    Rating 9 of 10  Gizmo's Top Pick

Pros   Auslogics is back!
Cons   none
Developer Home Page   http://auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag
Download link   http://auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download
File Size   2.2 mb   Version 3.1.3.100   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements 7/Vista/2008/XP/2003
64 Bit version available   64 Bit version available

MyDefrag    Rating 8 of 10

Pros   Frequently updated and well maintained.
Cons   Latest releases have been poor.
Developer Home Page   http://www.mydefrag.com/index.html
Download link   http://www.mydefrag.com/Manual-DownloadAndInstall.html
File Size   1.9 mb   Version 4.2.9   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, 2008, Win7, and for X64.
64 Bit version available   64 Bit version available   Portable version available Portable version available

Defraggler    Rating 8 of 10

Pros   Very solid piece of software. Updated regularly.
Cons   No optimization feature yet.
Developer Home Page   http://www.defraggler.com/
Download link   http://www.defraggler.com/download
File Size   3.95 mb   Version v1.17.172    License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements This version will install on PCs running Windows 7, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista. 64-bit OSs are also supported.
Portable version available   Portable version available

MyDefragGUI    Rating 10 of 10

Pros   Great graphical interface for MyDefrag
Cons   none!
Developer Home Page   http://www.mydefrag.net/
Download link   http://www.mydefrag.net/
File Size   2.17 mb   Version 2.1   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements runs under Windows 2000 / XP / Server 2003 / MCE / Vista / X64 / Server 2008 / 7
Portable version available   Portable version available

This software category is maintained by volunteer editor drewbee

 

 

 

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4.52055
Average: 4.5 (73 votes)
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Comments

by Unknown (not verified) on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 23:53  (#56855)

I remember I tried Puran Defrag which is not free at all which aggravated me since it is such a great program.
Most sites harp about Smart Defrag as the greatest Defrag program ever and it surprised me that no one here mentioned it.

I use Jkdefrag so Mydefrag appeals to me but I am torn between trying Auslogics defrag first.

by Unknown (not verified) on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 00:03  (#56857)

Ok...I am ridding my computer of all Iobit crap.
I'd had no idea.

by CrankCase (not verified) on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 14:05  (#56817)

If only the Windows 7 defragger were able to deal with the boot sector and registry then the game would be over, other than for people wanting to waste their lives searching for piddling little differences.

by ArsTecnica (not verified) on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 16:59  (#56761)

I've made a test with 10 freeware defrag programs, you can find it here:

[link removed]

(it's in italian)

by Anupam on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 17:07  (#56762)

Sorry ArsTecnica, as per our site policy, we do not allow links to sites which are non-English. Sorry to disappoint you.

by Fistikas (not verified) on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 08:26  (#56749)

Here, it is a nice article I found on thewindowsclub.com on Aug. 26.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-defrag-mft-page-file-registry-system-files-in-windows-7

by keith on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 04:34  (#56429)

Maybe someone can explain Auslogics settings.How best to set up.By checking move system files to begining,seems that should have been checked by default and should the VSS really be checked.Also aboght defrag priority its set on normal should the other two ever be ran. And is it ever good to run it in safe mode [like my defrag]and what setting.
the site doesn't explain any of that.

by morrig on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 12:55  (#54805)

New Disk Defrag tool from people of Glary Utilities worth a try-

http://www.glarysoft.com/products/utilities/disk-speedup/

Just tried ,speedy and also does auto.

by luee (not verified) on Mon, 07/05/2010 - 06:10  (#53773)

Just tried the built in W disk defrag. 4% in about 10 min. A little different in W7 than previous. Could not find the charts just gave a % readout. Seemed fast and efficient though, no slowdown.

Was reading the reviews on my defrag from Cnet one poster said it could destroy system restore points in opt. mode?

...Cons: If you use System Restore, depending on your OS, you may lose its functionality as many or all restore points may vanish if you select a performance level that includes Optimization. No support other than a small users forum. ...

Scared me off.

by Anonymous on Mon, 06/14/2010 - 07:57  (#52082)

Win 7 32-bit, here!

I tried Auslogics but went back to MyDefrag.
Auslogics is a Toy...

MyDefrag is a solid-rock application that
offers real Defragmentation!

I will also try Puran Free, as I am intrigued by
its Boot-Defrag Mode.

Be in Touch...

by billy22taxi on Wed, 08/11/2010 - 00:20  (#55759)

Have just tried to update Auslogics Disk Defrag to version 3.1.8.150. Avira AntiVir Personal reports - Virus or unwanted program 'APPL/Agent.8192.VQ [program]'
detected in file 'C:\Documents and Settings\PC User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\RUMJ3ISO\disk-defrag-setup[1].exe.
Action performed: Deny access. - Have uninstalled Auslogics just incase.

by Anupam on Wed, 08/11/2010 - 03:49  (#55770)

Its a false positive. I uploaded the latest version to VirusTotal, and the result was 0/42.

by Anonymous on Thu, 06/24/2010 - 20:13  (#53035)

Well, I tried Puran Free, as I was intrigued by its Boot-Defrag Mode.
It takes some time the 1st time to Boot-Defrag.
The other times, it is Faster!

I found it very Handy for Fast Defrags!

MyDefrag offers more Thorough Defragmentation than any other App!

Auslogics has been the worst of all!
It took about 5 minutes to Defrag my Hards Disks.

When it signaled that No further Defragmentation Needed,
I tried MyDefrag with found much Defragmentation and
took about 40 minutes to Defrag my Hard Disks!

In my second Desktop, Auslogics found 10% Defragmentation.
After using Auslogics, it showed that No further Defrag Needed.
Then, I used the Boot-Defrag Mode of Puran Free, and it took about
25 minutes to Fully-Defrag my Hard Disks that Auslogics implied that
they needed No defragmentation!

*Conclussion*

-For Effective but Fast Defrag: Puran Free Boot-Defrag.
-For the most Thorough Defrag: ΜyDefrag.

-For Fooling around: Auslogics;
a Toy Defrag offering No advantage over
the Windows Seven Built-in Defrag Tool!

by I agree (not verified) on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 11:17  (#54942)

I agree, I myself have tried Auslogics, I clicked Analyze, it came up with 0 fragmentation. I then ran Defraggler and even it came up with at least 59 files fragmented. I'm defiantly going to try MyDefrag though, it is sounding solid by the way people are talking about it, I care more for density in a defragmentation program then speed.

by Anonymous on Sun, 06/13/2010 - 11:46  (#52020)

The Microsoft defragmenter is the best free defragmenter I have come across. They bought the technology from a company which was at the time the only company defragmenting nt file systems. I have tried the free deframeters mentioned here but they do not do as thorough a job as the free Microsoft defragmenter that comes with the operating system.

by Anonymous on Sun, 06/13/2010 - 21:02  (#52046)

Which OS?

Let's hope it's not Windows 7 because just before you someone else already said that it's good. Let's not post the same message over and over again.

by Anonymous on Tue, 06/15/2010 - 01:08  (#52126)

XP

by Anonymous on Sun, 06/13/2010 - 22:20  (#52052)

it's probably not xp! cause xp defragger is not quite up to it compared to w7 defragger, which as you say has already been mentioned!

by Anonymous on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 19:05  (#52632)

The best free defrag for the NT 5.2 file system i.e. xp, and that is the one provided with the operating system.

Window 7 is based on the NT 6.1 file system. I don't know what the best defrag is for that file system.

by Anonymous on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 21:31  (#52657)

win7 defragger perhaps :)

by Anonymous on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 21:18  (#52653)

Why do you _think_ that is?

Why do you think defraggers with more options don't even make a difference at all?

by Anonymous on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 19:08  (#51851)

Microsofts defrag program that comes with Windows 7 is excellent "defragged" stubborn files other programs could not , no fancy interface just does the job 0% fragment .

by Anonymous on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 21:24  (#51438)

I tried Auslogics and concluded that it is fast in defrag mode only and if fragmentation percent is not too large. But defrag mode only leaves a lot of files spread apart. When combined with optimize option, files are somewhat reogranized but program runs slower. However, this became a problem when defragging many files in a big disk as the program ends but with as much as 30% still fragmented even when reran several times. Auslogics also couldn't handle properly if your disk free space is less than 10%. I also tried Defraggler and it seems to be similar although slower than Auslogics. It too has a limited function if your disk free space is less than 10%.

by Anonymous on Sat, 05/29/2010 - 16:06  (#50561)

What advantage is there to using a free 3rd-party Defragmenter, as opposed to just using the built-in Windows Disk Defragmenter? Is there anything "wrong" with the basic one that comes with your computer? I defrag my computer often so I'm curious if I should start using a freeware version.

by drewbee on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 16:05  (#51639)

Not necessarily. Depending on your OS, the built in defrag can be great.

For instance, the included Windows 7 defrag is one of the best.

by Anonymous on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:57  (#51649)

'For instance, the included Windows 7 defrag is one of the best.'

you're not wrong there!

by rustyk42 on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 21:26  (#50009)

Why no IOBIT Smart Defrag? I have read that it's one of the best, I use it and it works great. Just wandering.
Thanx

by Anupam on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 21:34  (#50011)

Maybe you know about the IObit-MBAM debacle. After that, we do not recommend their products.

by Anonymous on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 02:42  (#49974)

Hi Guys,

Here's my test. I'll defrag a drive and then watch its disk drive light during normal use. How active is it? How does that activity change over time? I'll monitor the drive for a week or more.

I've tried all the defraggers listed here and a couple of commercial ones as well. But I always end up returning to MyDefrag. My actual drive activity is greatly reduced compared to the rest. And, with MyDefrag it stays that way much longer.

Regards - BWrangler

by Kissol on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 20:39  (#50007)

- " ... and then watch its disk drive light during normal use. How active is it? How does that activity change over time? I'll monitor the drive for a week or more".

@ BWrangler, thanks to share with us your test.

I have a question: can you teach me how to do similar test? Do you use a tool to do that?

by Anonymous on Fri, 05/21/2010 - 01:11  (#50019)

Hi Kissol,

I just glance at the light from time to time as I use my computer.

Regards - BWrangler

by Kissol on Sat, 05/22/2010 - 19:12  (#50098)

Thanks for the info, BWrangler.

by Anonymous on Mon, 05/17/2010 - 07:17  (#49828)

Puran Defrag 7.1 has been released...

by Anonymous on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 19:16  (#49232)

Now lets test ultra defrag.

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 17:47  (#49566)

Not so good It leaves a lot of gaps,but their improving.

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 17:49  (#49567)

Oops the not so good refers to ultradefrag

by drewbee on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 16:21  (#49223)

Just a quick update.

I've tried out Puran, and maybe it's all the fanboy comments and spam clouding my review of it, but I just don't like the software.

For one, the download is confusing in my opinion.

The website has two different softwares, a regular, and a free. The regular being a trial. However the website states "Now get a professional defragmenter for your computer at no price at all. This is Puran Defrag Free Edition which is exactly the same as its commercial version except you do not need to pay for it.

Does this mean that the free version is the same as the trial? What is the point of the trial listed? I reviewed the free version, but by reviewing it am I also reviewing the "regular" version?

Quite simply, the different versions are misleading. Furthermore, for so much trouble, there are 3 listed programs above that are just as good (if not better in my opinion) than Puran.

Not to mention the site is littered with grammatical mistakes, making me trust them even less. I know this is not relevant, but I thought I should add this.

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/25/2010 - 19:41  (#50306)

Could you share why My Defrag lost 1st place...? Just wondering...
Steve H.

by Duszolap on Sat, 05/08/2010 - 12:24  (#49334)

Interesting discussion here:) I did not manage to read whole thread but as always in topic of defragmeters - as many peoples as many opinions.

Well... I just wonder if using alternative software is always a best option - maybe sometimes is mor than needed?

I realize that most system in build apps could be replaced by their better alternative but in case of Windows 7 I think that in-build defragmenter is anything you need (similar opinion I have about firewall which is absolutely sufficient for average users). Of course I may be wrong so I will gladly hear your opinions (with arguments please!) why any of review defragmenters is better than Windows 7 defrag.

by majoMo on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 18:00  (#49295)

Hi drewbee,

- "What is the point of the trial listed?"

Statement in download page: "Free for private and non-commercial use only." - if someone wants to do a commercial use he needs to buy the trial version.

- "Not to mention the site is littered with gramatical mistakes".

IMO isn't an issue that allows to ban a software; better is to appreciate their defrag performance (with optimization feature e.g.). If the user wants to choose a defraf app. with a good and clear english language home page is better to use Defraggler e.g., since MyDefrag, Puran, DiskTune developers don't have the english language like native tongue.

In fact a technical approach is needed; a fanboys feelings doesn't matter here.

by Kraig on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 12:44  (#49231)

Thank you for your up date, and all the work you do as editor of this page. I can not thank you enough!

by Anonymous on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 06:52  (#49183)

To The Editor

I love this site, and have the utmost respect for you and your writers, even when we disagree. But I don't understand this statement :

Puran:
The editor has already posted this in the comments below.
"Puran is being reviewed, please give me ample time to do a thorough review."
Please respect how long it takes to adequately evaluate these products and add them to the review. Until this happens, any further repetition about Puran will be regarded as spam and deleted.

I don't think there are any statements on this page, that is putting a lot of pressure on the editor of this page, to hurry up and review Puran. I think we all understand that these things take time, and that he/she is doing this as a free service (On their own free time.) to those that visit this site. I think you have set a bad president, on this issue. I even have some statements on this site about Puran, and the need for a review. It is just a discussion, and not in anyway meant to cause your editor distress. I am just asking for a free and open discussion. I could understand if someone had said something that was derogatory towards the editor of this page. Delete those comments, not the whole discussion. Thank you for your time, and the free service you provide, it is invaluable to the common computer user, like me!!

All the best to you and your editors, that give of there time and resources to do these reviews for free. They are true GREATNESS!!

Thank You,
Craig

by Anupam on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 07:11  (#49185)

Hi Craig, thanks for posting. Thanks for your understanding and appreciation. People like you understand the situation, and we are grateful for that. The reason you don't see comments on this page, that are pressurizing the editor... it is because we have removed those comments. We certainly do not remove comments which contribute towards a positive discussion, and are useful. But, comments which are derogatory to the editor, or towards any team member of the site will be removed. Also, I don't know if you have followed this page regularly, but there had been a flood of comments regarding Puran, and we had a tough time dealing with those. The comments were kinda fanboy kind, and they did not contribute anything useful, except saying "include Puran in the review", or, "its the best". Repeatedly posting such comments is of no use... you will agree too. So, these kinds of comments have been removed, and we had to post that note. So, I hope that you will now understand our situation. We assure you that we do not remove any comments which provide a useful and positive discussion.

Thanks for posting.

by Anonymous on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 07:26  (#49186)

Thank you for your response.

I will not comment on this again. Just know that not everyone reads the whole page, so you might get repeated comments that are not useful. Just delete those. No big deal. But your statement breads non discussion on Puran. You will hear no more from me on this issue. YOUR SITE IS AWESOME!

Thanks,
Craig

by MidnightCowboy on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 09:16  (#49192)

There is a slightly broader issue here in that inevitably some genuine comments will get swallowed up within our spam management process. This of course is more likely to happen during periods when a particular comments section is being targeted. We adopt this policy simply because it works and having seen some forums brought to their knees by spam we have no plans to change it. If though at any point someone feels that a comment has been removed without justification then I am always happy to reconsider this on an individual basis, but only after receiving of a PM request to do so.

MC
Site Manager

by Anupam on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 07:34  (#49187)

Hi Craig,
Of course we delete just the non-useful comments only. Also, statement says that repetition on Puran will be deleted. The comments section is still open to positive and useful discussion on Puran, or any other defragment software. But, if comments are not useful, and just repeated Puran fanboy comments, those will be deleted. Please do not get us wrong. If the statement in the note puts forward such point that we breed non discussion, then we will try to rephrase it. Thanks.

by Kraig on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 15:08  (#49216)

I respect this site so much, that I just now registered with the site. So I will not show up as Anonymous any more. I had to misspell my name, as someone else is already using Craig as a user name.
Once again, thank you for all the feed back!

by MidnightCowboy on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 15:16  (#49217)

Welcome Kraig, thanks for joining us.

by jon4t2 on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 17:25  (#49139)

If you're using full-disk encryption, choose your disk defragmenter carefully. If the encryption software relies on the absolute location (address) of any files on the encrypted drive, pick a defragmenter that will leave these files alone. At my last job, installation of McAfee Endpoint was mandatory. UltraDefrag was recommended as a compatible defragmenter. (Auslogic's defragmenter was known to break Endpoint.)

by Anonymous on Thu, 04/22/2010 - 20:09  (#48210)

It's funny that Auslogics' "optimize" function works fine on my XP desktop but it scattered all the files on my Vista laptop. another Vista shortcoming maybe?

by Anonymous on Thu, 04/22/2010 - 03:57  (#48164)

I have been doing my own none expert testing with different disk defrags over the years uncludding the ones listed on this site.first i left my defrag on my computer for disk analyzing sence you can't tell whats going on with othor defrags that show little sqare boxes.After running the defrags then analyzing on mydefrag they allways left thing looking like a mess the more you use them.
Im done testing for now and using mydefrag.the file placement looks a lot better.Again i am not an expert on this and was not testing for performance.Yet things seem to be running better now that i am permanently using mydefrag our at lest Intel i Noe something different.

keith

by DanielRego on Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:47  (#47769)

I suggest the editor do a review of DiskTune.

The most striking feature is defragmentation of the MFT in online mode, ie. without boot time procedure.

DiskTune also does disk optimization based on "file placement for booting and general usage".

Seems like a worthy contender that needs a review.

Also, hope to see the review for Puran Defrag soon. I currently use it, as does Donn Edwards, and it really seems to be a thorough product.

by rik on Thu, 04/15/2010 - 10:12  (#47680)

There are 64 bit versions of MyDefrag and Defraggler but, as yet, no 64 bit version of Auslogics that I can find.

Rik - Category Editor, Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software

by Anonymous on Wed, 04/14/2010 - 17:57  (#47638)

if you use w7, you'll find that an extra defrag tool is v rarely needed! everytime disk is checked, it comes up as 0% fragmented!

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 19:08  (#49572)

no comments on this? just checked drive (2 partitions) again after various installs and uninstalls, still 0% fragged!

by Anonymous on Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:34  (#50390)

It only because auto-defrag being scheduled weekly! Although my partitions have 0% fragmentation, I experience huge performance degradation because the files spread all over the disk. Auslogics "Defrag & Optimize" helps me get back that performance lost by arranging the files closer to each others. Also I'm waiting for the review on Puran, seem like promising techniques I read on its website.

by Anonymous on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 18:05  (#50906)

xp does the same auto defrag, eg when pc is idle, but there is still loads of frag! w7 appears to have overcome this!

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 21:02  (#49583)

Here's a comment: not everyone uses W7.

by Anonymous on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 21:11  (#49584)

fair enough. but as the post says; IF you use win7! quite a few people do you know.

by Anonymous on Wed, 04/14/2010 - 12:52  (#47625)

Here is my contribution.

I tested the following defragmenters on a really full hard-drive (95% full and the disk is 150 Gb) and I'm using Vista 32. I use a laptop.

Raxco Perfect Disk 11: was unable to defragment a virtual machine, which was a file of 4GB. All the other defragmenters failed too. Running contig displayed a weird error message. Finally, I ran a tool to erase unused sectors, then compact the image, and the defragmenters were able to defrag it.
Frankly, it was my preferred defragmenter, but I hate the tons of installed services that are running. I don't see the point of scheduling defragmentation with their interface, when Windows does the scheduling.

Contig: useful to defragment a single file, but I much prefer Defraggler. This was the only defragmenter that showed a message explaining why it was unable to defrag the 4Gb+ file.

Defraggler: useful to optimize files. I use it to analyze the files, and optimize only the smaller ones.
My second preferred defragmenter.

MyDefrag: I was using it until recently, but now, I completely abandoned it. I still don't understand why it moves ALL the files when you do a full optimization.
It's easy to reproduce: run the monthly defrag, stop the process at 5%, then rerun a monthly defrag. It moves all the files again and again, WTF ?

Ultradefrag: I ran it once, and it seemed very fast, but the interface is terrible, and it does only file defragmentation. But there is an interesting boot defrag, that I did not test.

Auslogics Disk Defrag: after uninstalling Raxco, I tested this one and found it excellent !
It optimizes the disk by:
- defragmenting the files
- then moving the fragmented files at the end of the disk
- then defragmenting again the files
- then move the files to fill the gaps
Now, I'm using it regularly, and it's my preferred defragmenter.

BTW, I'd like to add an important information:
defragmenting is not good for the disks !
On SSD, it also reduces their life !
Defragmenting IDE or SATA disks tend to deteriorate the physical mechanisms.
I really don't recommend realtime defrag, and I think a defragmentation should only occur once in a while.
Also, the defragmenters tend to leave the empty space at the end of the disk, where the access is slower.

Puran Defrag: I ran it for tests, and I liked the boot defrag, but frankly, it was unable to defragment large files. The algorithm is very buggy when moving large files with small empty space.

Finally, it would be great if a defragmenter was able to order the files for improving boot time. I remember the BootVis tool, which benchmarked the boot, but why didn't anybody optimize the files with this kind of data ?
I'd love to see my disk boot faster because the boot files are contiguous (and I mean physically: the first loaded file is in the first position, the second loaded file at the second position, etc...), leaving no heads seeks to get the files.

by Anonymous on Fri, 04/16/2010 - 12:31  (#47771)

"Defragmenting IDE or SATA disks tend to deteriorate the physical mechanisms"

Please, more Info on this???

by drewbee on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 15:58  (#47379)

Perhaps you may be reading my review incorrectly. Let me clarify the order and structure of how the programs are rated. Just because MyDefrag and Defraggler are behind Auslogics, this does not in any way go to say that they are NOT good programs. In that sense, I beg to differ. I find both MyDefrag and Defraggler excellent defragmentation choices! Which is why I included them in the list, and is why I praised them highly in both of my reviews.

Once again, I must stress, unless I the editor clearly state that I do not recommend a program, then I in fact do recommend it. Moreover, I simply recommend Auslogics the highest.

I will state what I have said in the past. I believe Auslogics is the best piece of defragmentation software for the average user who stumbles across this site. As an editor, I have to make sure my recommendation appeal to this type of user.

However, I do encourage you the reader to try out all the software on this list. I believe it is all good software and it all deserves a chance.

Thankyou for your time
keep the posts coming

Drew

by Anonymous on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 18:10  (#47385)

At the risk of putting more burden upon you, when you get a chance perhaps you could put in your review page what criteria you use in selecting a defragmenter (thereby identifying which defrag's performance is better than another). Percentage of fragments post-defrag, speed of boot time, placement of files, speed of defrag, etc? I think it would help readers in judging and selecting a defrag. Most of the time, I can barely tell one from another.

Thanks for your time and efforts!

by Anonymous on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 23:44  (#47402)

Forgive me for my post sounding like the subsequent posts below! I didn't mean to infringe on the other comments. I just wondered how to judge a defragger.

Thanks again!

by drewbee on Thu, 04/08/2010 - 21:06  (#47261)

Puran is being reviewed, please give me ample time to do a thorough review.

by Anonymous on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:18  (#47361)

Thanks for your time and efforts.

by Anonymous on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 08:25  (#47291)

It is Not only about Puran.

The issue is what made you to conclude that
MyDefrag and Defraggler are worse than Auslogics.

Defragmenting Faster does Not mean defragmenting Better!

After Defragmenting with Auslogics,
it took both MyDefrag OR Defraggler
about half an hour to Fully Defrag my W7 32-bit system.

by Anonymous on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:25  (#47362)

To classify is to choose. It is not easy to pleasure all the particular choices.

What is important is to have a good app. alternatives, like 'drewbee' gives to us.

by Anonymous on Wed, 04/07/2010 - 11:52  (#47160)

I used my Windows 7 built-in Disk Defragmenter.

Then, I installed and used Auslogics.
It found only 1% Fragmentation.
I used Auslogics to defrag my System
until it signaled that No further Defragmentation is required.

Then, I used MyDefrag.
It took about half an hour to Defrag my System
although Auslogics claimed it had been perfectly Defragmented!

I Restored a System Image.
I used my Windows 7 built-in Disk Defragmenter.

Then, I installed and used Auslogics.
It again found only 1% Fragmentation.
I used Auslogics to defrag my System
until it signaled that No further Defragmentation is required.

Then, I used Defraggler.
It took about twenty (20') minutes to Defrag my System
although Auslogics claimed it had been perfectly Defragmented!

I would really like to know on what Criteria you Rated
Auslogics as your No.1 Freeware Defragmentation Tool.

by Anonymous on Tue, 06/01/2010 - 18:38  (#50833)

Are you using defrag or defrag and optimize? Also consider the possibility those other programs are moving files that really don't need to be moved. I switched to Auslogic from Diskeeper for that very reason.

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