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Best Free Disk De-fragmenter
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Introduction
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Fragmentation: why it happens Suppose you are browsing the web, downloading your favorite songs and installing an application all at the same time, how does your system write all these files without any interruption to your activity? Well it's simple: it responds to all applications' write requests (I/O operations) by writing all files at a continuous location on your disk. Representation of a disk track:
Yellow: Temporary written internet files The purpose of disk defragmenters is to reorganize such files which are supposed to be together. An ideal situation after defragmentation would look like this:
But what happens when you uninstall, delete, or simply clean your temporary files? Imagine yourself uninstalling the application (game) you installed. The disk could look like this:
The white zone is empty space without fragmentation. A disk looking like this will have just a little or even imperceptible impact on performance. In this case defragmentation is needed but not critical. The last thing you want to see is a hybrid combination. Files very fragmented fig 1 and empty disk space fig3 but instead of contiguous clean sectors you'll find what we call fragmented empty space. And this is what it looks like:
This is the worst case scenario. Overall system performance will be compromised and fragmentation is critical. You should defragment (defrag) or let your defragmenter schedule and execute the defrag process for you. Standard mechanical HDDs (hard disk drives) will benefit from defragmentation and continuous disk use, because when spinning it keeps remagnetizing the HDD plates. But if you own an SSD (solid state drive) you SHOULD NOT defrag or install any defragmenter application because it will shorten the life of the drive. So when testing defragmenter software we are going to evaluate it with some parameters:
Well, it's time for action now and let me introduce you to the de-fragmenters. |
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Discussion
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Unbelievable power user options for everyone without having to configure any script. Just select the option that best suits your needs and it's done. MyDefrag employs an algorithm that places the most used files at the beginning of the disk. This decreases access times because the actuator arm of the hard drive has no need to move to the end of a disk to search a file. If you don't know what a HDD looks like, please see below:
When you turn off your computer (or Windows shut downs your HDD), the actuator arm has a designated "landing zone" (a specific sector at the beginning of the disk) that remains stationary until the next startup. This is to avoid disk scratch and therefore, data loss (data is read via magnetism, touching surfaces is not required). When turned back on, the closest sector to the actuator arm is already near the "landing zone" (beginning of the disk) so it's faster to read files on that sector than others in outer zones of the disk. Also, the surface distance travelled is considerably less in the inner sectors of the disk. So, placing files at the beginning of the disk is the best idea. MyDefrag is not the only defragmenter capable of doing this, as many others include an option. However, MyDefrag achieves this in a much simpler way. This is combined with a good “fast defrag”; the choice of specific options, many others by scripting, and excellent defragmentation methods and simple scheduler options.
This little boy, DiskTune, is not exactly a kid. Despite the use of Windows API to do defragmentation jobs, it's incredibly fast, simple and lightweight. Many useful options just a couple pixels of distance. Direct access to usual options such as Analyze, Defrag (quick), Optimize (rearrange) and Compact (defrag free space). The best thing about DiskTune? The ability to create a shortcut to your desktop and then double-clicking it to run a fully customized defrag. Four words—“one size fits all”.
In terms of defragmentation ability, Defraggler is one of the best choices you could make. It performs a very fast “quick defragmentation” with decent file reorganization but if you perform a complete defrag process, which takes longer, you obtain results that are worthwhile. Your files will be together as they should be as solid as a concrete wall. Defraggler also supports scheduling, low priority and boot defrag. Highly recommended.
Also reviewed but not included: -Puran Defragmenter -O&O defrag free edition -Others
Feel free to suggest any software not already mentioned for review. |
Running on x64 computer requires download and replace DLLs available at Mydefragmenter website
http://www.mydefragmenter.com/help/
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor rmitch45. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
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Tags
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| defrag disk, defragment hard disk, disk defragmenter, free disk defrag software. |
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Comments
I agree with Techsupportalert on many things and this site is one of my favorites.
But I am not sure you are right on this subject...
I know that Auslogics Disk Defrag is faster than MyDefrag, but I am not sure that the defragmentation is better.
Don't forget that MyDefrag is doing optimization with most of its regular scripts and that is a little more than just doing defragmentation. Doing things correctly and entirely always takes time...
Of all paid and free defragmentation softwares, MyDefrag is maybe the most configurable one with its scripts : don't forget we may do our own scripts from the sripting language and from the existing ones.
We may also do the whole defragmentation of our computer by night while we are asleep with the help of the scheduled tasks which will open up the computer, do the defragmentation and afterwhile the computer will shut up by itself if we configure this one correctly.
What can you ask more from a defragmentation tool ?
I think that Jeroen Kessels has done a lot for the defragmentation world and that many paid and free products took inspiration from its work... He really deserves our thanks.
I say something off topic. Midnight Cowboy does a good, difficult job.
In the forum he admonished me, was courteous, yet firm, yet fair.
You know the guidelines, don't push over them. You slow the process of my learning.
I found compelling a test that showed Defraggler tied for best in improving performance.
No more news on Ultradefrag?
{Moderator's Comment} Reference to product with poor WOT rating removed.
How can UltraDefrag, an open-source project on SourceForge, have a poor WOT rating?
Information on UltraDefrag:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UltraDefrag
Ultradefrag does not have a bad WOT rating. I'm not sure, but I don't think the above moderation was about Ultradefrag but about a different product. Ultradefrag has a green WOT rating.
O&O Defrag is being offered over at Download.com for free for the next 24 hours. Does this qualify it for a comment from one of the editors? If so what was the issue (privacy?) a while back with the product that was a negative?
O&O Defrag ,a FREE version is now available! The free version; I could not find it on the vendors' site BUT its available here
http://downloads.pcauthority.com.au/article/19496-oo_defrag_free_edition...
Also available at majorgeeks.
O & O will not be reviewed here.
There was a concerted attempt to spam this product a while back so if anyone wishes to discuss it please start an appropriate thread in the forum.
If more posts about O & O arrive here in the comments they and any others related will all be deleted.
Same privacy issues?
We do not comment about commercial products.
Of the defrag utilities recommended I've now tried both 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' & Defraggler & I'd suggest they take another serious look at Defraggler ASAP!.
I had been using Defraggler & I liked it allot but then I noticed 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' listed here as #1 & top pick etc so I decided to give it a try.
Wile using 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' something just did not seem right?. I was using its deepest scan setting,the one they recommend you only use once a week even tho it takes no time to complete?.
Well all I know is I did 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' bigtime once a week scan a few times then installed Defraggler & BLAM! now that's a freakin defrag! LOL!.
I noticed the very same thing as the first time I used Defraggler,NOTICEABLE RESULTS. I mean you can feel it. 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' on the other hand?,NOTHIN.
Defraggler literally blows 'Auslogics Disk Defrag' away IMO,no comparison.
More scanning options,scheduled scans,way better.
RMc,Canada.
I agree!!!!
Hands-down winner is Defraggler. It is quick, thorough and works. The fact that I can right-click any file or folder and defrag is a definate plus.
I have used JKdefrag, and the only thing I didn't like about it was the TIME not the results.
Auslogics Disk Defrag is simply a joke. Please take it off of your #1 position and better yet, remove it from this site. The simple reason, it does not defrag like it claims. I have tested it (as I do all defrag apps) against each other to determine if the results given by one are substantiated by one or more others.
Auslogics' results are always way off the mark.
As Rawlu stated above: You can feel the difference with Defraggler.
Julie
[Edit] Commercial software reference removed.
Seems I spoke before I should have. I took the time to download the latest version of Auslogics and found that it did work as advertised. Much Better than previously.
Also, it was surprisingly fast and I have nothing else to say other than the 'reviewer' was correct and I was wrong.
Quoted from http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/: "Disk Defrag is FREE for home users".
Quoted from http://www.mydefrag.com/Manual-DownloadAndInstall.html "MyDefrag is fully functional freeware, no cost, no time limit, no advertisements."
So on my enterprise PC, I just switched back to MyDefrag. You should update the Auslogics license type.
Anyway, techsupportalert is great, please pass around my deepest thanks to all the contributors.
Happy new year and best wishes to all readers of this comment :-)
I just used Puran free to defrag on my Toshiba laptop running Vista Home Premium.After it finished I noticed I had 78 GB free on my C drive where as BEFORE the defrag it hovered around 84. I have deleted all but the most recent restore point and that made no difference. Is this normal? I never had this happen with any other degragmenter or even with Puran if I remember correctly...
Today I installed MyDefrag 4.3.1. It now has distinct scripts for System and Data drives to defragment them for Daily, Weekly, or Monthly reorganizing.
I ran the System Weekly script on my C:\ Windows drive and a Data Weekly on my Programs and Data drive.
Today I clearly experience quicker responses for actions I perform. Programs open quicker, Desktop icons are redrawn quicker etc.
Of course, things could get slower in the next days again, or on the longer term. But I clearly feel like my defragging today has better results than the daily Puran defrags I have been performing up to now. I do not think I will use that when I shut down my PC now, which I have been doing for a long time.
Auslogics Disk Defrag has been beaten by the open source UltraDefrag 4.2.0 on my machine.
If others come to the same conclusion this could be our next runner-up in this section.
There is a UltraDefrag 4.4.0 available and 5.0 beta out now.I stopped using Auslogics Disk Defrag now that their site is blocked by Commodos DNS And now have been using UltraDefrag It doesn't seem to do a great job at optimizing files leaving a lot of gaps and the boot time scan I'm not completely satisfide.I would like to test the 5.0 when it comes out .Intel then I think I will switch to Mydefrag I think it has always been the best . It may not be that popular because to change some settings you have to edit the script and the last update is much better.
I have never tried ultradefrag ... looks i will have to give it a try...but will need to uninstall cmt for that...so will do that sumtime later and post my findings
WinContig is a cute little app that will defrag a single file or folder on demand. You know -- for when you're about to zip or iso a large file. They can't be defragmented after zipping.
It's pretty old but running it in XP compatibility mode seems to do the trick in Win7 32bit.
Those of us with noisy disks can measure the performance by ear rather than benchmark. I have been using Jkdefrag and its GUI's for a year on an old system. When I neglect it, it sounds like a creaky old house in a wind storm every time I switch browser tabs. I have to reboot once or twice a day. This is basically the sound of the page file being constantly accessed because there is no Ram left.
After a cleanup and optimization with Jkdefrag it's Peace at last! My browser tabs flip fast and squeak-free. I have always cleaned and defragmented, but got mediocre results in the past.
Optimization made the difference. I went ahead and put Win7 on 2 old systems that purr. My system files only take 8.5Gb of their 20Gb partitions so they have lots of room to move around in. That's the key -- space. I set the gaps to 2 or 3% instead of 1%. This setting is called "free space" in MyDefragPower GUI. You'll have to modify the scripts in MyDefrag or Jkdefrag.
The rest of my 500Gb is for my media files, and they don't change as often, so they can be squished in tighter. I still use a 2% gap, but the drive is 80% full and moves just fine -- as long as it's optimized. It really gets whiny and loud when I let the recycle bin get full and neglect my Jkdefrag.
New version of Defraggler, 2.00.230, released yesterday now supports boot time defragmentation.
Defraggler 2.0 supports Boot-Time Defrag ONLY for some System Files!
You CanNOT Boot-Time Defrag ALL your Hard Disk(s) with Defraggler 2.0!
OK. Thanks for clearing that up.
Why isnt puran defrag mentioned ?
There was a concentrated campaign from whatever source to promote Puran here - see comment #49223
Our editors choose which software to include in their reviews independently, and any attempt to force this choice is likely to yield similar results :)
Can you also include in your review ultradefrag found at http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net
Thank you.
Defraggler v2.0 Beta is available now.
Added complete offline defrag during the boot process with full OS support. Additionally the UI has been improved with a new Drive Map and customizations. Also rearchitected the internal defrag processes to make it faster and more efficient.
Haven't done any tests on it yet. Post your results if you have.
Regards
I have some pretty serious concerns (to me, anyway) about Auslogics Disk Defrag. On the main GUI of the program is a set of three tabs, one of which is titled "System Health". When the "System Health" tab is clicked a 'scan' is automatically started. This 'scan' apparently reads the disk to three reports (junk files, registry errors and security status) in succession.
The errors are reported with links to 'learn more' which takes a user to the Auslogics web page of either the Boostspeed program or antivirus (re-branded BitDefender) for download and/or purchase.
The problem I have with the System Health scanner is that during the scan there is no disk activity reported in task manager or process explorer. There are no disk in/out reads/writes activity. Secondly, the reports of the junk files or registry errors have no option to see details of the reports, only a link to the web site for the Boostspeed product. And the System Health scan seems to make reports in a way that does not make sense. I scanned and Auslogics reported 23 registry errors. I then cleaned my registry with Ccleaner, JV-16 PowerTools and Acelogix Ace Utilities. None of those programs reported more than just a few registry errors but after cleaning with the three Auslogics still reported 23 registry errors. I would sometimes get Auslics to offer different error totals, but nothing consistent with the other programs on my computer.
Finally, the 'scan' ran too smoothly. Even the top programs have pauses while scanning the registry or for junk files. Auslogics had no such pauses. The scanner moved right along in perfect fashion, exactly the same way every time. I have a strong suspician the "scan" was actually just a plugged in video graphic of some sort that gave the impression a scan was actually taking place. The scan certainly reminded me of the "rogue" antivirus 'scans' I have seen the past few years.
This Auslogics program needs a serious second look. If it actually offers up a 'fake' system scan in order to sell its Boostspeed product via 'scareware' then it certainly cannot be considered a recommended program. Can it?
I first saw information about this activity from Auslogics on Wilderssecurity.com a little while back but have been able to confirm that user's comments and concerns.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=268865&highlight=auslogi...
How different are these free utilities from the native Windows defragger? Not much, I think.
From what I can see, they suffer from the same major drawback as the Windows defragger i.e., inability to completely defrag a volume particularly when there are fragmented system files and/or large files present. Agreed, the windows defragger is dead slow, and these utilities may be faster, but none of these are truly automatic set and forget solutions like some of the commercial defrag utilities, and neither do they have shadow copy compatibility mode that protects system restore points (windows defragger doesn't either AFAIK) or advanced customization options.
So, I am a bit puzzled: apart from a nicer GUI, how are these utilities a real improvement over the mediocre in-built defragger.