Windows 7 64-bit defragger

rikishi19 · 03. Mar 2011, 02:06 AM

Hi

I'm unsure as to whether it is advisable to use third-party defraggers, such as Defraggler on 64-bit windows.

Will this be a wise choice, or would the native windows defrag tool be best?

Cheers

kendall.a · 03. Mar 2011, 02:51 AM

I can't answer your question definitively. I have chosen to only use the built-in Windows 7 defragmenter. I think it does a fine job. I see no need to use a 3rd party tool with Windows 7.

While I am still a freeware junkie, with Windows 7, I'm finding myself using less and less 3rd party tools.

rikishi19 · 03. Mar 2011, 05:11 AM

Ok, I'll stick with the Windows defrag tool until it gives me a reason not to I guess.

Is there any specific things that should be done to prepare before defragging?

I've gone to 7 straight from XP and I know the Windows Defrag in XP worked best by turning off screensavers and running msconfig to boot with no (basic) services, and turning off anti-virus software, which stopped the Defrag process from continually restarting.

rik · 03. Mar 2011, 05:57 AM

I use Mydefrag as it is 'Readyboot' aware, it does a great job but be warned it takes quite a long time to run if you have a large, especially full, disk(s). Defragler is another sound choice.

Rik

kendall.a · 03. Mar 2011, 06:00 AM

I don't do any of that, and I don't see a need to.

However, I do 3 things first:

1. Run CCleaner.
2. Use the "run" command and type "%temp%" (without the quote marks). It will come up with a ton of temporary files. I delete anything older than 2 days old.
3. Go to the Windows/temp directory and delete anything older than 2 days old.

Then, I defrag. Or, if you'd rather, just set defrag to run weekly on it's own.

rikishi19 · 03. Mar 2011, 06:51 AM

OK thanks. Good advice. I didn't know about the temp command. That will be an extra to get rid of the junk that accumulates.

I just remember on my old XP machine it would take almost a day to defrag if I didn't do those steps I mentioned cos it would restart every 5 mins whenever the disk was read/accessed by processes.

Cheers

Sope · 03. Mar 2011, 11:43 AM

I use MyDefrag.
It can take some time especially if you select the monthly defrag option. I usually prefer to use the weekly defrag option to cut down on time and HDD wear.
You can choose to defrag system and data partitions individually with their own specific algorithm.
The graphical representation of the file layout is very good too.

I run CCleaner (including removal of old unneeded system restore points) prior to defrag.

jim · 03. Mar 2011, 01:51 PM

I don't know too much about 7 but I have Vista Home Premium. I read that defragging is just not necessary - at least on Vista. Any expert views on that please?
I also clean out the temp files etc.

03. Mar 2011, 08:38 PM

I believe I read somewhere that Vista an Win 7 are good at preventing fragmentation in the first place.

Imo, unless you're installing a lot of software in a short period of time, or installing programs that take up a lot of space (like games for example), then you really don't need to defrag but about once every six months. If you do it too often, then you can actually shorten the life of the drive even more. The benefits in performance to defragging regularly , are negligible.

rikishi19 · 03. Mar 2011, 08:54 PM

Yes I don't plan on defragging too regularly. I'll have to do it quite regularly in the near future as I do indeed install software that is large. Both a few games and architectural software (which are huge!)

03. Mar 2011, 02:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
rikishi19 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 153	Windows 7 64-bit defragger Hi I'm unsure as to whether it is advisable to use third-party defraggers, such as Defraggler on 64-bit windows. Will this be a wise choice, or would the native windows defrag tool be best? Cheers

03. Mar 2011, 02:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
kendall.a Foundation Editor/Forum Manager Intern Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 2,114	I can't answer your question definitively. I have chosen to only use the built-in Windows 7 defragmenter. I think it does a fine job. I see no need to use a 3rd party tool with Windows 7. While I am still a freeware junkie, with Windows 7, I'm finding myself using less and less 3rd party tools. __________________ <-------Just jammin to some music....

03. Mar 2011, 05:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
rik Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 669	Disk defrag I use Mydefrag as it is 'Readyboot' aware, it does a great job but be warned it takes quite a long time to run if you have a large, especially full, disk(s). Defragler is another sound choice. Rik __________________ If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

03. Mar 2011, 06:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
kendall.a Foundation Editor/Forum Manager Intern Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 2,114	I don't do any of that, and I don't see a need to. However, I do 3 things first: 1. Run CCleaner. 2. Use the "run" command and type "%temp%" (without the quote marks). It will come up with a ton of temporary files. I delete anything older than 2 days old. 3. Go to the Windows/temp directory and delete anything older than 2 days old. Then, I defrag. Or, if you'd rather, just set defrag to run weekly on it's own. __________________ <-------Just jammin to some music....

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03. Mar 2011, 05:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
rikishi19 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 153	Ok, I'll stick with the Windows defrag tool until it gives me a reason not to I guess. Is there any specific things that should be done to prepare before defragging? I've gone to 7 straight from XP and I know the Windows Defrag in XP worked best by turning off screensavers and running msconfig to boot with no (basic) services, and turning off anti-virus software, which stopped the Defrag process from continually restarting.

03. Mar 2011, 06:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
rikishi19 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 153	OK thanks. Good advice. I didn't know about the temp command. That will be an extra to get rid of the junk that accumulates. I just remember on my old XP machine it would take almost a day to defrag if I didn't do those steps I mentioned cos it would restart every 5 mins whenever the disk was read/accessed by processes. Cheers

03. Mar 2011, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 953	I use MyDefrag. It can take some time especially if you select the monthly defrag option. I usually prefer to use the weekly defrag option to cut down on time and HDD wear. You can choose to defrag system and data partitions individually with their own specific algorithm. The graphical representation of the file layout is very good too. I run CCleaner (including removal of old unneeded system restore points) prior to defrag.

03. Mar 2011, 01:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
jim Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Ashford Kent England Posts: 386	I don't know too much about 7 but I have Vista Home Premium. I read that defragging is just not necessary - at least on Vista. Any expert views on that please? I also clean out the temp files etc.

03. Mar 2011, 08:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Abandoned Guest Posts: n/a	I believe I read somewhere that Vista an Win 7 are good at preventing fragmentation in the first place. Imo, unless you're installing a lot of software in a short period of time, or installing programs that take up a lot of space (like games for example), then you really don't need to defrag but about once every six months. If you do it too often, then you can actually shorten the life of the drive even more. The benefits in performance to defragging regularly , are negligible.

03. Mar 2011, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
rikishi19 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 153	Yes I don't plan on defragging too regularly. I'll have to do it quite regularly in the near future as I do indeed install software that is large. Both a few games and architectural software (which are huge!)