Windows 7 remains in the ranking of the most successful products of the Windows family, as evidenced by demand statistics: as of 2017, its share among operating systems used to access the Internet is 30.6%.
Its main advantages include a comfortable user interface, including: an improved Start menu structure, a dual-mode taskbar, with the ability to work in an enlarged and classic view, new styles and themes, a simplified mechanism for connecting to wireless networks. It has a powerful multimedia system, is compatible with a variety of the latest applications, and is able to support modern technologies used to create new equipment. And most importantly: it is a stable and reliable operating system with an improved mechanism for dynamic maintenance and recovery.
Given the enduring interest of users in Windows 7, any tools that optimize its work are in high demand.
What is defragmentation and why is it needed
When writing to a formatted (new) hard disk, the files are placed sequentially on it, gradually filling in the free space with information. However, in the process of work, accompanied by copying, deleting, transferring files, its clusters (fragments) turn out to be remote from each other. When accessing a file, the read head of the hard drive must look for these pieces in different cells of the disk, which slows down the work, and the user experiences discomfort.
The process of defragmentation is to organize the disk space by moving fragments of files that are divided among themselves in the process of work, and combining them into a single block. In addition, the defragmenter program moves filled cells to the beginning hard drive, and all free areas are located at the end, which also speeds up the work of the head. Accessing files located in neighboring cells is much faster, which increases the efficiency of the disk.
A “tidy and tidy” hard drive with logically correctly arranged clusters in disk space is the key to efficient and stable computer operation, and defragmentation allows you to restore this order. After this procedure, files and programs begin to load much faster, this is especially noticeable in multi-resource computer games. There are also special programs that defragment the boot area of the system, thereby speeding up the boot of the OS. Defragmentation is part of a set of measures to optimize your computer, which significantly improves its performance.
It is useful to carry out defragmentation at least once a month, and with an intensive load: frequent copies, deletions, data transfers, it is better to set an automatic procedure in the background on certain days of the week.
When defragmentation is not possible
If the disk was formatted with a file system other than NTFS, FAT or FAT32, defragmentation will not be possible. Not all utilities can defragment network locations. This process will also fail if there are serious errors in the disk operation (HDD features).
Note: forSSD disk defragmentation does not make sense, since the speed of accessing file fragments in this technology is so high that it does not depend on their location, and therefore utilities usually ignore fragmentationSSD drive.
Varieties of defragmenter programs
There are two types of programs used to defragment disk space:
Built-in defragmenter operating system;
external utilities.
Let's take a look at the benefits of each option.
Windows 7 built-in defragmenter
The convenience of the built-in utility is that it is Russian-language, free and easy to use. In order to use it, you need to go to the "Disk Properties" tab, find the "Service" item and select the "Disk Defragmenter" action. When prompted, you must confirm the action with an administrator password.
You can first check the disk for the need for defragmentation: if the fragmentation level does not exceed 10%, there is no reason for concern and defragmentation can be postponed for now, otherwise it is better to perform this action.
The duration of the procedure depends on the volume of the disk and the degree of "disorder" on it, it can last from several tens of minutes to several hours, so it is best to run it at night. In addition, the operation of the utility in the background can affect the performance of the computer, since at this moment there is a large consumption of the resource capacities of the device.
Windows 7 external utilities from different developers
Some experts consider the built-in defragmenter of the operating system to be rather weak, ineffective and incapable of efficiently organizing files, so they prefer to use third-party (external) utilities.
Note: before running a third-party defragmentation utility, check the automatic configuration of the built-in one. Running both programs at the same time can adversely affect the operation of the computer, slow down its performance and shorten the life of the hard drive.
Defragmenters for Windows 7: a brief overview of current utilities
Consider the five most popular products.
O&O Defrag Free
A free utility (developed by O&O Software GmbH), which is currently the most downloaded. The advantage of this program is a user-friendly interface, compatibility with different operating systems and high-quality defragmentation: after it, the computer starts to work noticeably faster. The utility is easy to install, can operate in the background or run at will (when configuring, you need to check the appropriate ones) checkboxes. An additional bonus to the program is a utility to check the disk for errors. chkdsk.
It ranks second in the ranking of the most popular defragmenter utilities. Also a free product, developed by Piriform, which gave us at least popular program- CCleaner. The advantage of Defraggler is a simple, intuitive interface, compactness and high quality of work. The program is downloaded from the developer's website and has a Russian version.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
The advantage of this utility (developed by Auslogics Software Pty Ltd ) are high defragmentation speed, simple and user-friendly interface, low resource consumption, visualization of the process, the ability to defragment several disks simultaneously, work with disks larger than a terabyte. Distributed for free. The utility significantly optimizes the computer, the processes of launching applications and games become much faster.
IObit Smart Defrag
A free "smart" defragmenter from IObit Information Technology. It features an attractive interface and extensive functionality that allows you to select various settings according to the criteria: launch on certain days, when a critical level of fragmentation is reached, etc. Can run in the background, automatically activating when optimization is needed.
PerfectDisk Professional
HDD defragmenter from Raxco Software (USA), especially preferred when working with large data sets. Functional, has a Russian version, is used both with local drives and with network drives. Defragmentation is done by optimizing every file in the system. The SMARTPlacement technology used redistributes disk space according to unique usage scenarios. A feature of the program is the ability to use for SSD optimizations disks.
On the Internet today there are more than a dozen different utilities that optimize the file structure of disk space. The task of a disciplined user is to remember and periodically perform this procedure, improving the speed of the computer and increasing its performance. Works well in the latter case.
All file systems store information in small clusters, so to accommodate any file, not one cluster is required, but rather a large number of them. When writing a file, the OS provides the required number of free clusters, but it is not at all necessary that the allocated clusters will be located sequentially. Of course, when you first copy files to a new hard drive, they will be written to adjacent clusters. But after some time, when the size of the files increases in the process of editing them (when at a certain stage the clusters allocated for a particular file will not be enough to write it) or when writing large files to an already fairly full disk, which simply does not have the required number of adjacent free clusters , the files will be fragmented. Over time, the number of fragmented files, as well as the degree of their fragmentation, increases. This process occurs most quickly when actively overwriting files (with frequent saving and deleting files, moving files and folders, actively installing / uninstalling applications), as well as when working with a disk that is more than half full. Fragmented files remain fully functional, but reading them slows down, because each time you open such files, the system is forced to search for all fragments of the file, which slows down its reaction time. In addition, severe disk fragmentation (due to the increased use of read heads, which require many moves across the disk to read all parts of fragmented files) can lead to a reduction in its service life. Therefore, periodically it is necessary to resort to the disk defragmentation process. To defragment disks, you can use the built-in Windows Disk Defragmenter utility, called by the command "Start" > "Programs" > "Accessories" > "Utilities" > "Disk Defragmenter". This program is based on an outdated commercial version of the Diskeeper package and allows you to defragment volumes formatted in file systems ah FAT, FAT32 and NTFS. The scanning depth during its operation is quite large, and most files are defragmented, but in terms of performance this solution is noticeably inferior to many alternative packages, and the range of settings in it is limited to the bare minimum. In addition, Windows Disk Defragmenter requires at least 15% free disk space for its operation (and it can be much less) and places files without any optimization, while a number of similar solutions implement certain optimization technologies that allow you to get some gain in download speed. In addition, this defragmenter does not merge all the free space on the volume - as a result, the likelihood of a rapid increase in the level of disk fragmentation in the future remains. And the possibilities of automating the defragmentation process in this program are limited. Therefore, it is much more convenient to use other defragmenters, some of which we will consider in this article, but first we will dwell on several features of the defragmentation process itself.
Features of hard drive defragmentation
- Most defragmenters can reorganize files in the background, but it is still unlikely to use resource-intensive applications, so it is wiser to start the defragmentation process when there is no activity on the computer (for example, at the end of the working day) or at the time when operations are performed on the computer, do not require special system resources.
- If the disks are more than 75% full, then in order to perform a full defragmentation, you need to turn to defragmenters that are less demanding on the amount of free space, and carry out the procedure in two stages - first, perform a quick partial defragmentation (this will allow you to get larger blocks of free space) and only then full.
- As a rule, for daily (weekly) defragmentation, it is more reasonable to limit yourself to fast defragmentation methods - some files will remain fragmented, but in general, access to many of the files will be accelerated. But at the same time, sometimes (as needed) you should set aside time for a complete defragmentation, running it with a high priority - better at those moments when you are not using your computer. As for the continuous defragmentation mode offered in some defragmenters, its usefulness is a moot point. Of course, on the one hand, this approach can really reduce the need for frequent full defragmentation. On the other hand, continuous defragmentation leads to increased load on the hard drive, which can shorten the life of the drive.
- It is wiser to remove junk files from the computer before starting defragmentation, and also exclude from consideration the system files pagefile.sys and hiberfil.sys, which are used by the system as temporary files and are recreated at the beginning of each Windows session.
- In fact, not only user files are fragmented on the disk, but also service files of the operating system - system files and the main file table (MFT), which is a directory of all files on a particular partition and stores records about the location of each file, their attributes, etc. If the defragmenter has a built-in functionality for defragmenting the named service files, then, as a rule, the MFT is defragmented immediately after the corresponding option is enabled, and system files, access to which is blocked by the operating system, only through the so-called offline defragmentation performed after restarting the computer, but before starting Windows.
Programs for defragmenting hard drives
List of solutions on the market that can be used for defragmentation hard drives, wide enough. Among them, there are both paid packages with wide functionality, and free, but quite useful programs. All the utilities discussed in the article, with the exception of Paragon Total Defrag, are based on the API (Application Programming Interface, an application programming interface, which is a set of basic functions that a programmer can use to access the functionality of a software component). When using this technology, defragmentation is carried out in the background (this is convenient, since some access to the computer is preserved), but some small part of the files will remain fragmented (for example, some service files), which, however, in most cases is completely uncritical. Paragon Total Defrag, in addition to background defragmentation, can also perform full low-level defragmentation, which allows you to achieve almost zero fragmentation, but requires exclusive access to the system.Perfect Disk 10
Developer: Raxco Software Inc.Distribution size: 47.6 MB
Spreading: Shareware PerfectDisk is one of the best solutions for defragmenting hard drives. The package supports FAT16, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems and can handle large volumes up to several terabytes. It provides defragmentation of entire disks (more than one disk can be selected), as well as individual most fragmented files. The latter is useful if you need to quickly optimize access to, say, a mail database, a video clip, etc. All files are processed, including large files, system files, and the MFT area, the latter can not only be defragmented, but also relocated, taking into account optimization. Thanks to the support of Space Restoration Technology, free disk space is also defragmented, which is done by combining free sectors into the largest possible blocks. For the utility to work, a minimum of free space (from 1%) is enough, and defragmentation of files and free areas is done in just one pass (and not two, as is done in many other defragmenters). PerfectDisk can defragment automatically and manually. In the first case, the utility will independently launch defragmentation according to the specified schedule or when the computer is not active - the latter can be implemented in two ways: through the StealthPatrol mode or the screensaver mode. The operation of the utility in automatic mode is configured using the wizard, and it itself works in the background rather imperceptibly for the user. Manual defragmentation allows the user to independently manage the defragmentation by specifying the scope of its implementation and the method used. The program is presented in several editions - for home users, the Home and Professional editions may be of interest. The professional edition has all the features of the Home edition and additionally includes the Space Explorer and Space Reports modules that provide disk space analysis, and tools for removing temporary and other unnecessary files, as well as duplicate files. The demo version of the program (there is no Russian-language localization) is fully functional and operational for 30 days. The cost of the commercial version depends on the edition: Home - $ 29.99, Professional - $ 39.99. The program has a lot of settings, but the intuitive interface allows you to get used to this solution relatively quickly. The program window has three tabs - the "Defragmentation" tab combines tools for analyzing and defragmenting disks, system and user files. The "AutoPilot Schedulng" tab provides the ability to configure automatic defragmentation - on a schedule, in screensaver mode or through StealthPatrol mode. The "Product Resources" tab provides access to various kinds of help information. Access to the properties of the utility is provided on any of these tabs. To start disk analysis in PerfectDisk, open the "Defragmentation" tab, select desired disk and click on the "Analyze" button or use the command of the same name from the context menu. Based on the results of the analysis, the program will provide very extensive information. For example, after analysis, you can see not only a fragmentation map, but also find out the level of fragmentation of files, directories, free space, MFT, etc., identify the most fragmented files with their size and paths, and get recommendations on the defragmentation strategy in this particular case . You can find out more information about the number of files on the disk, as well as the most fragmented and "excluded" files (that is, files to which access is denied) To manually defragment disks in the Defragmentation tab, select a disk (or several disks), specify defragmentation method and click the "Start" button. There are three defragmentation methods available: Defragment Only Pass, SMARTPlacement defragmentation, and Consolidate Free Space. With simplified defragmentation, which requires a minimum of time, only those files are defragmented for which free blocks of the required size are found - all other files are skipped, and free areas are not combined into large blocks. When SMARTPlacement technology is connected, free blocks are merged, and files are placed in accordance with the activity of their update, which minimizes their re-fragmentation in the future. The "Consolidate Free Space" method defragments all files and free areas, but does not optimize the file layout. To speed up defragmentation, individual files can be excluded from consideration by creating a list of excluded files in the drive properties ("Drive Properties" command from the context menu, "Excluded Files" tab). You can also delete temporary files before starting defragmentation. If it is necessary to defragment individual files, click on the "Selected Files" button, in the "Defragment Selected Files" window that opens, indicate the files of interest and click on the "Defragment" button.
Defragmentation of system files, access to which is blocked by the operating system, is started by clicking on the "System Files" button and is performed after a reboot. First, in the drive properties ("Drive Properties" command from the context menu, the "Offline Defragmentation" tab), you need to specify which objects you want to defragment.
It is possible to carry out defragmentation without user intervention, in automatic mode. This is configured on the "AutoPilot Schedulng" tab, where you can, for example, enable defragmentation in screensaver mode, which will ensure that this process is carried out when the user is definitely not on the PC. It is not difficult to do this - you just need to specify the disk, select the defragmentation method and determine the frequency of this procedure.
There is functionality for setting a certain defragmentation threshold, upon reaching which defragmentation stops, and controlling the priority level - by changing it, it is easy to block the utility for a while, or vice versa - to provide it with large resources. All this is regulated through the program properties, which can be accessed on any of the tabs.
Diskeeper 2009
Developer: Diskeeper CorporationDistribution size: 28.5 MB
Spreading: Shareware Diskeeper is one of the most popular hard drive defragmentation solutions. The package supports NTFS, FAT16 and FAT32 file systems, can work with volumes up to 1 TB and provides defragmentation of various types of files, including large files, system files and MFTs, as well as very fragmented files containing millions of fragments. However, it is slower than many other solutions. According to the developers, it can defragment disks with only about 1% of free space, but in practice, with such a small volume, the utility usually ignores large files. Diskeeper allows you to defragment a disk in automatic or manual modes. In the first case, the utility works as a background application, without interfering with the user's normal work (this is implemented thanks to continuous monitoring using InvisiTasking technology), and independently decides on the defragmentation method, the process time (taking into account the degree of fragmentation) and its priority. You can also set the program to run defragmentation according to a specific schedule. With manual defragmentation, launched on demand, the choice of the defragmentation method and the priority of this process is carried out by the user. If necessary, at certain intervals, the defragmentation process in manual mode is easy to block, and at others (if you are not working at a computer), on the contrary, set a high priority for the process. Manual defragmentation can be performed in parallel with other activities on the computer, because thanks to I/O Smart technology, the defragmentation process is paused during disk I/O operations. It is possible to simultaneously run analysis / defragmentation not only for one, but also for several disks at once, but there is no defragmentation of folders and files. There is also Boot-Time Defragmentation, designed to defragment the MFT and the swap file. The program is presented in several editions - for home users, the Home and Professional editions may be of interest. The professional edition has all the features of the Home edition and can already work with volumes up to 2 TB. It also additionally has support for I-FAAST (Intelligent File Access Acceleration Sequencing Technology) optimization technology and FragShield 2.0 tools (reduce the degree of fragmentation of critical system files and help configure paging files in such a way that future fragmentation is less likely). The demo version of the program (partial Russian-language localization) is fully functional and operational for 30 days. The cost of the commercial version depends on the edition: Home - $29.95, Professional - $59.95 does not provide. By default, the program window has three panels - two basic horizontal and one additional vertical ("Quick Launch" panel), which can be easily disabled through the "View" menu. The horizontal panels display disks and operations with them, while the vertical one contains tabs with help information. To start disk analysis, just select one of them (or several at once) and select the "Action" > "Analyze" command from the main menu or the "Analyze" command from the context menu. Based on the results of the analysis, very detailed reports are generated, according to which you can not only identify the initial state of the disk and its level of fragmentation after reorganizing the files, but also, for example, find out what the performance loss was due to the level of fragmentation that took place. By default, the program enables automatic defragmentation for all disks found in the system - to disable it, click on the "Properties" button and uncheck the "Enable automatic defragmentation on the selected volumes" item. Manual defragmentation is started using the "Defragment" command (from the "Action" menu or the context menu). Two methods of defragmentation are offered - Quick and Recommended, the choice of the desired method is carried out through the properties of manual defragmentation ("Manual Defragmentation Properties" button). When using the first method (this method is not available in the Home Edition), the time spent on defragmentation is less, but its effectiveness is lower, since free areas are not merged in this case. In the case of the Recommended method, which is set by default, the defragmentation process is longer and includes not only file defragmentation, but also partial consolidation of free disk space. In the same window, you can also activate the function to automatically reduce the priority of defragmentation during disk I / O operations ("Enable I/O Smart" checkbox).
In terms of optimization, Diskeeper implemented I-FAAST technology (Professional edition only), which takes into account the degree of activity of accessing files when placing files. In addition, the package provides for the possibility of more efficient defragmentation of large files - this means their partial reorganization, after which the files remain fragmented, but to a lesser extent (perhaps this option is useful if there is not enough free space or there is very little time to complete the process) . An exception is allowed when defragmenting specified files and folders - say, temporary files that will be deleted soon. This is done through the list of exclusions (command "Action" > "Configure Diskeeper" > "Diskeeper Configuration Properties", tab "File Exclusion").
O&O Defrag 11.5 (Professional Edition)
Developer: O&O Software GmbHDistribution size: 13.6 MB
Spreading: shareware O&O Defrag - handy defragmenter with wide functionality. The program supports FAT, FAT32, NTFS and EFS file systems, can work with large volumes up to several terabytes, and stands out with two unique technologies. Thanks to ActivityGuard technology, the utility monitors the activity of the computer and ensures that the defragmentation process is carried out in the background without being noticed, reducing or increasing its activity in a timely manner. And support for OneButtonDefrag technology allows you to fully automate the defragmentation process and carry it out in accordance with user-defined settings when a certain level of fragmentation is fixed on the disk. Defragmentation can be performed on demand or automatically - according to a schedule or when the computer is inactive ("Screen Saver Mode"). The program works even with fairly small amounts of free space (5%) and allows you to run the defragmentation process not only for one, but also for several or even all disks installed on the computer. There is also selective defragmentation of files and folders, however, it is implemented in a way that is not quite usual for defragmenters - through the explorer context menu. But it does not provide for the consolidation of free space into a single area. In addition, O&O Defrag may have problems processing individual files if the program cannot find a free disk area of sufficient size - in this case, the utility, having fixed a certain percentage of the work done, for a long time (if not forever) "thinks about life", and the process often has to be removed. After that, you can make the program work again only by manually starting the O&O Defrag service. So, in our opinion, not everything is perfect in the algorithm of this program. At the same time, in fairness, it should still be noted that if the named problem is not observed on a particular disk, then the program does its job perfectly. The demo version of the program (there is no Russian-language localization) is fully functional and operational for 30 days. The commercial version costs $49.95. In practice, using O&O Defrag is easy. The program window has four tabs - the "Defragmentation" tab combines tools for analyzing and defragmenting disks. The "Jobs and Reports" tab provides management of reports on the work done, the "View" tab provides access to information about the disk and files (disk map, disk status, etc.). ), you can download updates and view help information from the "Help" tab. Analysis of selected disks is launched by clicking on the "Analysis" button or by selecting the "Analyze" command from the context menu. Based on the results, detailed statistics are provided in several versions: in the form of a disk map showing empty space, an MFT area, defragmented files, etc. (by clicking on any block, you can see all the files it contains) and a disk status pie chart indicating the level its fragmentation. The program provides five defragmentation methods that differ in optimization strategies: Stealth, Space, Complete/Access, Complete/Modified and Complete/Name. The first two methods allow you to achieve results in the shortest possible time, but are less effective. These methods are recommended for initial defragmentation of never-before-defragmented drives. If you select the Stealth method, the program tries to optimize the available free disk space, while not all files are defragmented, and no optimization of their placement is provided. The developers recommend using this method to defragment disks with a very large number of files (more than 500,000) and/or with very little free space (5%). The Space method aims to increase the size of contiguous free areas and ensures defragmentation of all files, but can only work if there is a large enough free disk space and a relatively small number of files; recommended for background defragmentation. Even more free disk space is required in the Complete/Access, Complete/Modified and Complete/Name methods, which provide a complete defragmentation of all available files (including large and system files, as well as the MFT area) with optimization of their placement. The difference between these methods is in the optimization strategies. Thus, with the Complete/Modified method, files are located taking into account their modification, which is effective on disks where some files, in particular, databases, are regularly modified. And when you select the Complete/Name method, the files are sorted in alphabetical order - this is useful for quickly launching system libraries on disks where files are rarely modified. Defragmentation of one or several selected disks is started by selecting the desired defragmentation method from the context menu (or by pressing certain keyboard shortcuts) or immediately for all disks installed on the computer by clicking on the "Defragment Computer" button (in the latter case, the Space method is used automatically).
To speed up the defragmentation process, analysis and movement of individual files can be excluded - such files are specified directly in the program settings ("Settings" button, "General" tab).
Offline defragmentation is also provided (defragmentation before the OS starts, which allows you to defragment locked system files) - this mode is enabled in the program settings ("Settings" button, "Offline Defragmentation" tab).
Paragon Total Defrag 2009
Developer: Paragon Software GroupDistribution size: 17.4 MB
Spreading: Shareware Paragon Total Defrag is a defragmenter offered both standalone (only in the English edition) and as part of Partition Manager and Home Expert solutions. The first of these solutions is positioned as a universal tool for working with partitions and data on hard drives and allows you to perform any standard operations with partitions, as well as a number of other actions, including disk defragmentation. The second solution is a hard disk maintenance software package that can solve almost any problem that may arise during the operation of a hard disk, quickly and with only minimal computer experience. Both solutions have Russian-language localizations and are offered to Russian users at more attractive prices (490 rubles and 690 rubles, respectively), so purchasing Paragon Total Defrag as part of them is more reasonable. Paragon Total Defrag is a powerful and efficient defragmenter, yet relatively easy to use. It supports FAT16 / 32, NTFS, Linux Ext2 / 3 and Linux ReiserFS file systems and, unlike most similar solutions (and in this article, unlike all other utilities), it can perform not only background, but also full low-level defragmentation systems. As a result, an almost zero level of fragmentation is provided, and the files are placed taking into account the optimization strategy. This process is carried out in the mode of exclusive access (with restarting the computer) to the partition and turns out to be quite lengthy - at the same time, there can be no question of any possibility of access to the computer for this period. During defragmentation, all files are processed, including large (even more than 128 GB) and system files, as well as the MFT area, and the contents of temporary files can be ignored. It is possible to rewrite the MFT in a more compact way (MFT compression), which also improves the speed of accessing files on NTFS partitions. Defragmentation is performed with a minimum amount of free disk space (1%), and with such a minimum of free space, not many defragmenters can work. But it is impossible to use Paragon Total Defrag for any kind of selective defragmentation (defragmentation of folders and files or free space), since nothing of the kind is provided in this utility. There are also no automation options, which, however, is quite logical, since running low-level defragmentation on the machine is at least unreasonable. The demo version of the program is functional for 30 days, but has limited functionality - some of the operations in it work only in virtual mode. The commercial version costs $29.95. By default, the program window has three panels - two basic horizontal and one additional vertical, which is easy to disable through the command menu. The horizontal panels display disks and operations with them (the top of the panels also has access to help), and the vertical one contains tabs with help information. The technology of working with Paragon Total Defrag is, in general, simple. First, in the "Disk Map" disk map, you should select the desired disk, and then start the operation of interest - that is, disk analysis or defragmentation, and then patiently wait for the end of the process. True, there are some nuances here - the program performs a preliminary disk analysis immediately after selecting it in the disk map, however, for a more detailed analysis, you will have to use the Partition > Defragment > "Analyze Fragmentation" command. If the disk is not bootable, then the program will carry out such an analysis and display the results without rebooting the system, otherwise you cannot do without it. In addition to disk analysis, you can also test its surface (Partition > "Test Surface"). As for defragmentation (the "Defragment Partition" button or the Partition > Defragment > "Defragment Partition…" command), there are two modes for its implementation - fast (Fast mode) and slow (Safe mode), which are selected through the program settings (Tools > settings). By default, "fast defragmentation" (Fast mode) is launched for the selected partition, however, if in the current operating system (say, the system partition is selected), the program cannot get the access to the partition it requires, then it will offer to restart the computer in a special mode. Before rebooting, you will need to define the settings for the operation, in the list of which you can refuse to save the contents of the Pagefile.sys and/or Hiberfile.sys files and set the desired data sorting option (sort files according to their size or the time they were last updated).
In "Fast mode" access to the computer is not blocked, and the operation is relatively fast and can be stopped if necessary. But when defragmenting in this mode, a power outage, hardware failure, or system failure can lead to data loss (this is a problem with all defragmenters). If the "Safe mode" is set, such a sad outcome of events is completely excluded, since a copy will be created for each file beforehand. True, this will take a lot of time, and there can be no talk of any activity on the computer during the defragmentation period, so it is wiser to start the process at night. Interrupting the process and restarting the computer during defragmentation in this mode is completely unacceptable. But everything will be reliable, and the results of defragmentation will be better, since the program will be able to access all the files. For comparison, we recall that when defragmenting in the background (that is, through the API), some part of the files (that is, those files that the program could not access) always remain fragmented.
Vopt 9.12
Developer: Golden Bow SystemsDistribution size: 3.52 MB
Spreading: Shareware Vopt is a handy tool for defragmenting hard drives, which has gained popularity due to the high speed of file reorganization and the unobtrusiveness of this process when running in the background. The utility supports FAT, FAT32 and NTFS file systems, can work with large volumes, the size of which can reach 16 TB, and has a very efficient defragmentation algorithm. It can defragment all files, including large files, system files and MFT area, and can defragment automatically on a schedule (daily, weekly, when the system is turned on, idle, etc.) or on demand. In the second case, the user is allowed to select a defragmentation method, change the priority of this operation, and adjust the optimization parameters. The program can be launched from command line. The demo version of the program (there is a Russian-language localization) is fully functional and operational for 30 days, after which you will have to pay $ 40 for the program. The technology of using Vopt does not cause any difficulties. The window of the program without any panels and tabs is just a command menu and a workspace. In the case of launch on demand, select the disk of interest (the "Partition" command) and start the desired operation by clicking on the "Analyze" or "Defragment" buttons. If we are talking about defragmentation, then you can activate this process for several disks at once - however, already through the "Defragment" > "Several Partitions" command. But this utility does not know how to defragment individual folders and files. Before starting defragmentation, you can clean the system of junk files (temporary and deleted files, cookies, etc.) using the command "Purge" > "Purge". If necessary, the process of disk analysis/defragmentation can be stopped, the resumption of these processes is not provided. Based on the results of disk analysis and defragmentation, brief statistics are provided, and on the disk map, not only empty space, defragmented files, etc., but also hidden metafiles, files excluded during defragmentation, prefetch files, etc. are highlighted in different colors.
In total, two defragmentation methods are provided: fast - Fastest and slow, but with a deeper reorganization of files - Tighter, in the Russian version they are translated as "Speed" and "Dense" respectively. The method can be changed through advanced settings ("Defragmentation" command). Here you can also change the defragmentation priority and enable / disable the checkbox responsible for moving system recovery files to the end of the disk. An exclusion is also allowed when defragmenting individual folders and files (including by mask), as well as large files ("Defragmentation" > "Exclusions"). In addition, in the window opened from the "Status" menu, it is allowed to drag individual files with the mouse to another part of the disk space.
Additionally, the utility allows you to check the disk for errors and the appearance of possible failures, evaluate its performance ("Health" menu), as well as obtain information about the system and change a number of settings in it ("Utilities" menu).
Ashampoo Magical Defrag 2.34
Developer: Ashampoo GmbH & Co KGDistribution size: 9.9 MB
Spreading: Shareware Ashampoo's Magical Defrag, a well-publicized program, is positioned as a solution for real-time continuous defragmentation. With support for Fragmentation Protection technology, after the initial defragmentation, it continuously monitors changing files and automatically defragments them immediately after the change, which helps prevent the need for frequent full defragmentation. The demo version of the program (there is a Russian-language localization) is fully functional and operational for 10 days, if desired, the testing period can be extended up to 30 days. The commercial version costs $14.99. Using Ashampoo Magical Defrag is as easy as shelling pears. It is enough to install the utility and forget about it altogether, since, in fact, no settings are required in it (there is only a workspace and a simple command menu in the program window) - the only thing you need to specify is a list of disks of interest.
The utility, without any user intervention, will carry out a complete defragmentation, and then continue to monitor changing files and will automatically defragment them, accompanying its actions with the display of brief statistical information.
In the course of its continuous activity, the program works in the background and loads the system only at moments of waiting, automatically stopping as soon as the user or some of the programs starts working, and in its latest modification it practically does not interfere with work. When testing one of the previous versions (we don’t remember which one), work with some applications slowed down significantly, despite the assurances of the developers that this could not be observed in any way. So now, in general, everything is quite convenient and practically not burdensome for the user, if it were not for the very controversial usefulness of continuous defragmentation, since such defragmentation increases the load on the disk, processor, etc., which can lead to their faster wear. If you share these concerns, then the monitoring service responsible for continuous defragmentation can be disabled directly from the program and run on-demand defragmentation. True, this will become possible only after the initial full defragmentation is carried out, since the option to run on demand otherwise is simply absent in the program window. Of course, with this approach, the advantage of this utility over other defragmenters (that is, avoiding frequent full defragmentation due to continuous defragmentation) will be completely lost, but there's nothing to be done... And if Ashampoo Magical Defrag attracts you with its extremely simple interface, then why not, although we would prefer any of the other solutions considered.
MyDefrag 4.1
Developer: Jeroen KesselsDistribution size: 1.6 MB
Spreading: The free MyDefrag program (until recently known as JkDefrag) is a compact disk defragmentation utility that features an efficient algorithm for optimizing file placement and high speed. It can be launched both through the Start menu and the command line with the connection of specific scripts, as well as a screensaver that activates the defragmentation process in case of computer downtime. Of course, almost all the considered utilities can be launched through the command line, but this program simply has many features implemented only in the command line launch mode, so we stopped there. It is possible to start MyDefrag automatically through the Windows scheduler. The graphical interface of this utility is more than spartan (a window with a working area and a modest menu), the settings are minimal, and it is impossible to limit the list of analyzed / defragmented disks through it (data on all media are automatically defragmented sequentially). If you wish, you can still run MyDefrag on one disk and even defragment individual files and folders with this utility, but this can only be done from the command line, for which, for example, you should enter the command "C: Program FilesMyDefrag v4.1ScriptsFastOptimize. MyD "C:" (only drive C will be defragmented). In addition, the utility does not know how to defragment files locked by the system, but in terms of the effectiveness of defragmenting all other files it is ahead of many commercial solutions. The program (there is a Russian localization) can be downloaded and used completely free of charge. Processes disk analysis, defragmentation and optimization in MyDefrag are launched separately (different scripts are responsible for them) - if we talk about the graphical interface, then by different commands in the Start menu.For example, disk analysis is activated by the command "Start" > "MyDefrag" > "Analyze Only" The results of the work are displayed as changing messages in the utility window and are also recorded in the LOG file.
Only defragmentation of files can be run without their optimization ("Defragment Only"), but this is not a good idea, since no file placement optimization will be performed in this case. Optimization is run separately, and two algorithms are provided - fast ("Fast Optimize") and slow ("Slow Optimize"). When using the fast algorithm, fragmented files are ignored, the fragments of which are separated only by empty blocks, while the slow optimization ensures that all files are processed without exception. At the same time, the principles for moving files when the utility is launched via the command line can be different: sorting by modification activity, alphabetically, creation time, size, etc. For example, files are divided into three groups according to the activity of their modification - the most actively used files of the first group are placed at the beginning of the disk (which means that access to them will be much faster than if they were written in the middle of the disk or at the end), files the second and third groups follow them. In addition, between the first and second groups, 1% of free space is left for recording temporary files, which also somewhat speeds up the system. If necessary, the analysis/defragmentation/optimization process can be temporarily or completely stopped.
When the utility is launched via the command line, it is possible to manage a whole list of its settings - for example, it is possible to launch it with a low priority, it is allowed to exclude individual files and folders when searching, etc.
Auslogics Disk Defrag 2.1.0.25
Developer: AusLogics Inc.Distribution size: 1.84 MB
Spreading: free Auslogics Disk Defrag is a simple, convenient and fast utility for defragmenting files and organizing clusters. The program supports FAT, FAT32 and NTFS file systems and easily copes with defragmenting most of the files, however, it often skips large files - this happens if there are no free sections of the corresponding length on the disk, since the program algorithm combines disparate free blocks for this purpose not provided. It also skips system-locked files (particularly the swap file) and MFT files. The program (there is a Russian-language localization) can be downloaded and used completely free of charge. The use of Auslogics Disk Defrag in practice does not cause any difficulties, since its interface is very simple (there is only a workspace and a modest menu in the window), and the settings are minimal. Simply check the box next to the disk of interest and start its analysis ("Action" > "Analysis of the selected") or the defragmentation process ("Action" > "Defragment the selected" or the "Defragmentation" button).
Brief results of defragmentation are issued immediately after its completion in an automatically opened window. In addition, it is easy to get more detailed information about the work done by clicking on the link "View full report".
At the same time, some control over the program settings is also provided. So, to speed up the defragmentation process, it is possible to delete temporary files before it starts (you need to enable the corresponding checkbox in the settings - the command "Settings" > "Program settings" > "Advanced"), as well as exclude individual files and folders during the operation ("Settings " > "Program Settings" > "Exceptions"). It is also possible to defragment individual folders and files ("Action" > ...).
In addition, the program can work on a schedule and supports auto-defragmentation (defragmentation of files when the computer is idle). It also allows you to change the priority of defragmentation, temporarily suspend or stop it altogether if necessary, and can turn off the computer after the defragmentation is completed.
Defraggler 1.12.152
Developer: Piriform Ltd.Distribution size: 865 kb
Spreading: free Defraggler is a very simple and convenient tool for defragmentation, characterized by high speed. The program is extremely easy to manage, does not require any settings and is very compact - to run it you need only one file that can be copied to a flash drive and later used on any computer without installation. The program supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems and can process even very large files, but it skips system-locked files and the MFT area. There is no optimization when placing files. The program (there is a Russian-language localization) can be downloaded and used completely free of charge. The Defraggler window has two horizontal panes that display drives and disk operations. The principle of application of the program is simple. First, upon request, it analyzes the specified disk (the "Analyze" button) and gives a complete list of files with fragmentation, and for each file you can see the full path and the number of fragments.
And then, also at the request of the user, it can defragment the entire disk as a whole (the "Defragmentation" button) or only the specified folders or files ("Action" > "Defragment folder" or "Action" > "Defragment file"). But it will not be possible to run the defragmentation of several disks in the program at once. If necessary, the running defragmentation process can be suspended or stopped completely. You can evaluate the results of the program's work visually - by looking at the disk map, as well as by looking at the number of fragmented files on the tab corresponding to the disk.
Moving files during defragmentation can be done taking into account optimization, when large files (all or only those with certain extensions) will be moved to the end of the disk ("Settings" > "Options" > "Defragmentation"). During defragmentation, it is possible to merge free disk space (for this, you will need to enable the appropriate settings). And the defragmentation itself is performed in normal or background modes, and at the end of it, the program can turn off the computer.
To speed up the defragmentation process, instead of standard defragmentation, you can defragment using accelerated technology ("Action" > "Quick Defrag Drive"), when individual files will be ignored by the program - say, too large or, conversely, too small files, files that have more than the specified number fragments, etc. The rules for such restrictions are set in the settings ("Settings" > "Options" > "Quick Defrag"). In addition, you can directly specify the files and folders to exclude during defragmentation (Settings > Options > Exclusions).
For advanced users, functionality is provided to automate defragmentation operations through the command line and adjust the INI file using scripts.
Conclusion
We settled on several popular defragmenters. Which one is better? In our humble opinion, PerfectDisk, which provides full-fledged defragmentation with optimization of file placement and full automation of this process, and with a limited amount of free disk space (see table). The Diskeeper option is much less attractive due to its slower performance and less efficient defragmentation. For those who want to achieve a more complete defragmentation, it is wiser to stop at Paragon Total Defrag, since this is the only solution that provides an almost zero level of fragmentation, but then you should immediately tune in to a very long waiting process and the complete impossibility of working on the computer during the defragmentation process. If you are interested in a faster solution to the problem, then you should turn your eyes to Vopt or MyDefrag. The first utility differs simply in its record speed of defragmentation, but it is paid. The second one also works very fast and is also free, but, alas, not so convenient. However, it should be borne in mind that although both of these solutions are attractive as tools for organizing quick daily defragmentation (and of sufficient quality), they are unlikely to fully help in difficult cases, when, for example, free disk space is small. Well, if you need to regularly defragment only a few large files that slow down when loading (video clips, mail databases, etc.), then using Auslogics software Disk Defrag or Defraggler. Of course, PerfectDisk, O&O Defrag and MyDefrag also have similar functionality, but the first two utilities are paid, and MyDefrag will have to be launched from the command line to solve this problem, which will obviously not inspire all users. In addition, do not forget that defragmentation (despite all the usefulness of this procedure) is a dangerous thing, because under adverse circumstances (say, a power outage), some data may be lost, so regular backup of information will never be superfluous. Table. Third party defragmenter functionality versus Windows Disk Defragmenter * Battery Mode - puts the hard disk defragmentation process on standby when the laptop is disconnected from the mains and resumes defragmentation when it is connected to the network.Defraggler (Russian Defragler) is free program for defragmenting the hard drive, which will be equally useful for optimizing SSD drives. This utility can work both with whole partitions and with individual files and directories.
Why you need to defragment
Defragmentation allows you to achieve performance improvements when performing file operations, which, as a rule, gradually decrease over time due to file fragmentation.
Fragmentation is a process in which a single file is divided into several parts (fragments). If there are many such fragments, then the hard disk needs more time to search for all the parts, and its performance decreases accordingly. In addition, a significant number of fragmented files can adversely affect the hard drive resource.
In turn, performing defragmentation (i.e., the reverse process), on the contrary, increases performance and prolongs the life of the drive, so it is recommended to do it regularly - about once a month.
How to defragment
This procedure can be performed using regular Windows tools or use one of the special defragmenter programs, in this case we will talk about Defraggler.
To do this, select one of the sections in the program menu, provided that there are several of them, and then initiate the analysis procedure to determine the number of fragmented files by pressing the appropriate button, if the number of such files does not exceed 10%, then defragmentation can be omitted (percentage fragmentation is not significant). But, if this value is significantly higher, then this procedure should definitely be performed.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the defragmentation process is by no means a momentary matter, and depending on the size of the HDD, it can take more than one hour, while using significant PC system resources. Therefore, it is optimal to perform defragmentation at a time when the computer is not in use.
By the way, Defragler, like other software products from Piriform (, ), is distinguished by ease of use and a pleasant, intuitive interface in Russian.
Download Defraggler for free, without registration.
Defraggler is a free hard drive defragmenter and SSD optimization software.
Version: Defraggler 2.22.995
Size: 6.1 MB
Operating system: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP
Russian language
Program status: Free
Developer: Piriform
What's new in version: List of changes
If your computer thinks for a long time when accessing any files on your computer, you need to defragment hard drive.
defragmentation- the process of updating and optimizing the logical structure of a disk partition in order to ensure that files are stored in a continuous sequence of clusters. After defragmentation, the reading and writing of files, and, consequently, the operation of programs, are accelerated, due to the fact that sequential read and write operations are faster than random accesses (for example, a hard disk does not require head movement). Another definition of defragmentation is the redistribution of files on a disk so that they are arranged in contiguous areas.
Well, it became all clear that defragmentation is needed to speed up reading and writing files, and which program should I use? Which one is more efficient? Here are the questions to answer this article 5 best hard drive defragmentation software.
Auslogics Disk Defrag (Free)
Auslogics Disk Defrag is a simple disk defragmenter program. You can defrag multiple drives or select individual files or folders to defragment. Auslogics allows you to set the application priority and can turn off your computer after the defragmentation is complete, if you want to defragment your hard drives while you sleep, but do not want to leave your computer on all night. Auslogics Disk Defrag is a free and portable application.
MyDefrag (Formerly JKDefrag) (Free)
is an effective tool for defragmenting disks. You can run it in default mode and get not only a defragmented disk, but also an optimized file layout; or you can customize via scripts and further enhance your disk optimization for your specific tasks. Even without customizing the script, MyDefrag does an excellent job of defragmenting files and moving them around to get the optimal hard drive space. Files that are frequently used are grouped together to increase performance. MyDefrag scans the space allocated to the system and moves files from that space back to more appropriate locations.
PerfectDisk Enterprise Suite (paid)
Perfect Disk One of PerfectDisk's biggest claims is being famous for its "Space Restoration Technology" feature. In addition to optimizing disks during defragmentation, PerfectDisk controls disk writes so that later files are written in the most efficient way in order to reduce subsequent disk defragmentations. PerfectDisk also analyzes data usage and optimizes template creation for your file usage and work style. Can be scheduled or configured to run the program when the computer is idle for continuous defragmentation.
(is free)
From the same company that makes the popular apps CCleaner and Recuva, is a portable defrag tool. It can scan multiple drives as well as individual drives, folders, or individual files for some quick, specific defrags. When Defraggler scans a drive, it shows you all the fragmented files and lets you either choose to defrag normally or batch defrag.
Diskeeper (paid)
Like PerfectDisk, Diskeeper comes with extra features, usually for which you will have to pay. In addition to the basic defragmentation functions, Diskeeper can perform a quick defragmentation of system files at startup without loading the operating system. Diskeeper, like PerfectDisk, has a system for continuously defragmenting files and optimizing new files for disk storage as it runs. When defragmenting multiple hard drives, Diskeeper chooses different algorithms based on the drive, such as optimizing the operating system in ways other than storage.
Defragmenters significantly speed up reading and writing files to a computer's hard drive, while increasing its performance. operating room Windows system by default, it has a built-in program for solving this kind of task, but it is not as effective as third-party software. It will be discussed below.
Defragmentation is a very important optimization process, this procedure allows you to arrange file fragments in an order convenient for the operating system, while speeding up the hard drive and the entire PC as a whole. The programs presented in the article are successfully solving this problem.
The first defragmenter that can bypass the efficiency of the built-in Windows defragmenter is a product from Auslogics. It can monitor HDD with built-in S.M.A.R.T. Can defragment hard drives larger than 1TB. Works with FAT16, FAT32, NTFS file systems in 32 and 64 bit operating systems. If you want to automate the optimization process, the program has a function to create tasks for their execution without user intervention.
Auslogics Disk Defrag is completely free, but the developers have inserted ads wherever possible. During installation, there is a risk of getting a lot of unnecessary adware in addition.
A very simple program that has several defragmentation algorithms in its arsenal and supports working with Flash drives. All actions performed are recorded in a log file, which can be viewed and analyzed at any time. A set of scripts will allow you to choose the most suitable option for optimizing disk volumes, depending on the degree of fragmentation.
MayDefrag is free, but the problem is that it was only partially Russified. Most of the information windows have not been translated yet. The software has not been supported by the developer for a long time, but remains relevant to this day.
Like the product from Auslogics, Defraggler has a task scheduler feature to automate processes. It has only two main tools: analysis and defragmentation, but such a program does not need more.
The interface is Russian-language, there are optimization functions for individual files, and all this is available completely free of charge.
The first program on our list that can simplify your work - it prevents file fragmentation using the function IntelliWrite. This means that the defragmentation process will occur much less frequently, and this, in turn, will increase the performance of the computer. Diskipper is very easy to automate, and has a wide range of settings for this: for example, automatic optimization and computer power management.
Once you set all the parameters for yourself, you can forget about the existence of this defragmenter, because it will do everything for you.
PerfectDisk combines some of the useful features of Auslogics Disk Defrag and Diskeeper. For example, it also prevents disk fragmentation and has built-in S.M.A.R.T system monitoring technology. Automation of processes occurs with the help of built-in calendars with the possibility of their detailed settings. A good bonus for users of this powerful tool will be the hard drive partition cleaning function, which removes all unnecessary system files, freeing up space.
Accordingly, you will have to pay for such a powerful program. There is a limited free version, but it is also very useful for a computer. There is no official Russian-language interface with PerfectDisk.
One of the most powerful and popular tools from IOBit. It has a modern, thoughtful graphical interface, different from all the programs presented in the article. Smart Defrag has many useful features that allow you not to think about defragmenting your system. It can run in silent mode, i.e. without notifications, optimizing the system without user intervention.
Smart Defrag can perform defragmentation at computer startup, excluding files and folders you have previously selected. Like PerfectDisk, it can free up space on your hard drive. Gamers will appreciate the game optimization feature, after which their performance is maximized.
UltraDefrag is a fairly simple and useful defragmenter today. He knows how to optimize space before starting the OS, work with the main MFT file table. It has a wide range of options, adjustable through a text file.
This program has all the necessary advantages: it is free, Russified, small in volume, and finally, it shows amazing results of hard drive optimization.
This is one of the most common products from O&O Software in this segment. In addition to simple system analysis, O&O Defrag has as many as 6 unique defragmentation methods. The O&O DiskCleaner and O&O DiskStat tools will optimize your hard drive and give you the most detailed information on the results of this process.
A big advantage of O&O Defrag is its support for internal and external USB devices. This allows you to optimize Flash drives, SSDs, and other storage devices. In addition, the program can work with multiple volumes at the same time, and can fully automate the defragmentation process.
Vopt
The program has not been supported for a long time, and at first glance it seems that it is completely outdated, but this is far from being the case. The algorithms developed by Golden Bow Systems for this defragmenter are still relevant even on the newest operating systems. Hidden in the Wopt interface are many small but very useful features for optimizing your hard drive.
There are small systems for monitoring the performance of the hard drive, the function of overwriting free space, and all this is free. There are two defragmentation modes available, Task Scheduler and Exclusion List. However, these are all the main tools present in all modern defragmenters.
Puran Defrag is a free hard disk optimization program with detailed settings for each of the processes. Like most previous defragmenters, it also provides the ability to automate. The main difference from other representatives of this segment is that the developers have focused not on the number of functions, but on a wide range of parameters for them. Puran Defrag will be able to boost your PC's performance in a comfortable way.
It's free and easy to use. Unfortunately, the program has not been supported since 2013, but is still relevant for modern computers. Although there is no Russification, the interface is intuitive.
Of course, these are not all possible defragmenters that have earned respect from users, but they are highlighted due to their simplicity or, conversely, a wide range of useful features. The programs in this segment are very useful for file systems, as they maximize performance by organizing fragments scattered in space.
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