Best Defragmenting Software? (Windows)

J

jmackay

2[H]4U
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What is the best software out there to use? I don't like the built in windows one much and can't remember the name of the one I've used in the past, diskkeeper or something I think.

Anyway, what do you use and/or recommend?
 
Are there any still around that will lump all the data together, leaving only data then a big ol' area of empty space after?

I've seen some lately that don't seem to bother to do that anymore.

Sometimes you don't care about as much about having everything defragged, as much as you care about having a big hole of empty space for creating a new file that will already not be fragmented to begin with.

I remember long ago Norton Speeddisk (eh, I know!) allowed you to bring all data to the top or bottom, for just this very reason...

Do any still allow this?
 
The one I use now-a-days is the Auslogics Disk Defrag. It's quick, it's free, and works in Vista without a hitch.

If you are actually paying for a defrag, I would go with Perfect Disk, or O and O for a really close second. I like the O & O GUI better, but Perfect Disk, i think, does a better job with defrag.

I haven't used Diskkeeper since like 1999, so i really cant say, but looking at their website and new screenshots for the latest installment, It seems to me they have gone downhill.
 
Old Hippie said:
I've used them all. UltimateDefrag is my current fav.
Click to expand...

Hmm, there website looks like a joke though...

Now watch your programs launch faster! Your games perform like Now watch your programs launch faster! Your games perform like they never have! Experience a Windows Desktop and Operating System with the same sprightly performance as when your PC was brand new!
Click to expand...
:eek:

Looks like something I'd get in my spam email :p
 
Vopt was recommended by PCworld.com. I have been useing it for the last year and I highly recommend it.
It comes with additional useful utilities included.

Try it for free before you buy it. You can download the software for free 30 trial.
 
There are no "best" all around defragmenting utilities.
But as of late, the most recommended are Diskeeper, O&O and Perfectdisk.
You really can't go wrong with either of those.
Although each has their pros and cons, in the end it does the job.

I personally have been using O&O for the longest time, then just a few months ago switched to Diskeeper 2007 premier and for the most part, I don't regret at all. Tried perfectdisk, but for some reason I just didn't like it over the other 2.

For just manual defragging, Perfectdisk seems to run the most complete jobs in 1 pass - then comes O&O and finally Diskeeper. For automatic defrag, Diskeeper leads the pack. I like to have it on, and it defrags in the background when there are minimal load on the system. I really don't even notice it running in the background.

Diskeeper also has some features that are not in the others, such as Fragshield and IFAAST. Some claim that those two technologies are worthless, but I beg to differ.

For the most part, it's all in the matter of personal preference. Why don't you download some trial versions, test it out and see which one you like the best.

edit*

Check this link out. They have both reps from Raxco and Diskeeper answering some valid questions.
 
Thanks, I was reading that link earlier today. I'll probably stick with diskeeper since I have a copy of it somewhere, don't think its too outdated either. Realized I haven't defraged this new computer yet :eek: :eek: :p
 
Ouch the last pages of that thread have quite a few people claiming that perfectdisk has some major problems with its boot time or whatever scan that ends up killing your OS install...

Are there any 3rd party tests done anywhere? Like the ones performed by that on antivirus group?
 
Well, for the hell of it I installed perfectdisk again last night. After the defragmentation, upon reboot the system seemed a bit slower overall. And I don't really like the way PD handles the boot defrag. So I ended up uninstalling it yet again, and now I'm back to Diskeeper.

I'm not stating that neither is inferior to each other. But just from my experiences, I would stick with Diskeeper or O&O. Both which has never failed me.
I also love the fact that, with DK I don't have to worry about defragging - since it monitors your resources and automatically defrags for optimal performance. Considering the processing power and the amount of resources that are available especially during my slumber, it's a plus that it's not wasted. >_<
 
Yeah I just reinstalled diskeeper, interface hasn't changed too much from what I remember. Not sure if the invis defrag thing will work at all though since I run folding@home when I'm not gaming / working. Ah well will see.. and man my poor HD was fragmented bad :p 293gb used / 500 and never defragged lol
 
It will not work while you're folding...
Also, if you have your paging file on your main drive, it is a good idea to disable it first.

The best way, in my opinion:

- Disable paging file, hibernation (make sure file is deleted after it's disabled), system restore points (or disable the whole thing outright if you don't need the restore points). Delete all temporary internet files and such.
- Run fragshield to set up a decent amount of reserved space for the MFT
- Upon reboot, manually defrag the drive.
- Once it's done, set up boottime defrag.
- Re-enable pagefile, hibernation (if needed) and system restore (if needed).
 
enyceexdanny said:
It will not work while you're folding...
Also, if you have your paging file on your main drive, it is a good idea to disable it first.

The best way, in my opinion:

- Disable paging file, hibernation (make sure file is deleted after it's disabled), system restore points (or disable the whole thing outright if you don't need the restore points). Delete all temporary internet files and such.
- Run fragshield to set up a decent amount of reserved space for the MFT
- Upon reboot, manually defrag the drive.
- Once it's done, set up boottime defrag.
- Re-enable pagefile, hibernation (if needed) and system restore (if needed).
Click to expand...

You can never complete disable the page file, it is always there.
 
Ah, yeah I forgot about that. But if you set it to a different drive, it will be removed from the os drive. o.o
 
:D
jmackay said:
Yeah I just reinstalled diskeeper, interface hasn't changed too much from what I remember. Not sure if the invis defrag thing will work at all though since I run folding@home when I'm not gaming / working. Ah well will see.. and man my poor HD was fragmented bad :p 293gb used / 500 and never defragged lol
Click to expand...


2[H]4U
Click to expand...

I am constantly amazed.
 
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