Disk Defragmentation

[Serenity]

So, as I am trying to clean my computer for no reason other than I want to keep it streamlined, I have found a bunch of online programs to defragment the hard drive. But, doesn't windows have a disk defragmentation system built in? Should I get one of these online programs? Or just use what windows came with?

[MadHatter]

For simplicity's sake use the one in Windows. You should be able to find it under Storage Management (XP) or right click a drive in My Computer in Vista->Properties.

[batch]

not really sure theres much difference in any of them....... since they pretty much all do the exact same thing.... some just use different criteria in determining order

I personally dont use the Windows version because I keep DCOM disabled on my computers unless I need it to run something.......... and Im just too lazy to turn it on for defragging when I can use 3rd party software to do the same thing without it

I use Smart Defrag from IObit which is freeware on their site....... but there are plenty of free options out there

[MadHatter]

True, they are many free options out there. Chances are he has his enabled, and there are some out there that are questionable.

edit: Misread one of you're posts. I thought you had asked "what's a driver". So you can pretty much ignore what I said.

[TequilaChaser]

yes all Windows systems these days come with Disk Defragment prog.

personally I hate em


the IObit Smart Defrag is ok........

I prefer the one that comes with my Paragon HDD Manager™ 2009 Pro....... it does defragging in a deep pre OS mode, where it defrags before windows boots up...... ( very cheesey way to explain it  ROFL )

if you was lucky enough to download the www.freegiveawayoftheday.com Paragon HDD Manager 2010 the other day, I recommend you use it's defrag prog instead of windows built in

some reasons why you might need to defrag:

If you install / remove alot of different programs, files, videos, music moving them around on the HD from here to there.......
do alot of video editing etc.....
this will cause you to have an HD become fragmented extremely fast...
especially if you burn alot of DVD movies or something similar.....

if your HD is not fragmented over say 5% total then it really is not worth it to defrag........ my personal opinion

sometimes cleaning up your registry will give you better improved performance alot better than defragging as well......  another personal opinion of mine

edit: turn off screensavers, or messenger programs, etc....... that will cause your Windows defrag to stop and restart all over before trying to use Windows Defrag...or you will never get thru it...............

Also, once you start your Defragging of an HD do not stop until it is completely finished..... or you could really mess things up...possibly to the point where you will have to even reformat and reinstall your OS......

always read up on system maintenance procedures before doing them, if you are unfamiliar with the way they work.....

hope this helps.... Good Luck

[Hungry]

Its not free but you do get a 30 free trial, look at DiskKeeper

[Denholm]

Of course I have to throw in something else....

O&O Defrag has always worked great for me.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Windows has a built in defragmenter that does the job, only difference is you dont get to watch pretty graphics.

[cattb]

I use perfect disk10, I like the options.

[gyrene81]

Diskeeper stinks...if you turn on the wrong options it can slow your system down and cause fragmentation...and I've tested 3 different versions.

If you want a really good freeware disk defragmenter...auslogistics disk defrag.

[Hungry]

Diskeeper stinks...if you turn on the wrong options

Hehe

Whom or who is the numbskull, the program or the user who turns on the wrong options?

[38ruk]

I use O&O disk defrag and it give's you options to sort the drive by file name ...  access  or  modified .  I use the name method kinda like a library index .  I have good luck with that and a raptor.

[gyrene81]

Hehe

Whom or who is the numbskull, the program or the user who turns on the wrong options?

  LOL...the program doesn't tell you the options are wrong...it just offers them in the menu system and you have to find out the hard way. 

[BaldEagl]

MS integrated defrag works fine.  No reason to use another.

I read somewhere one day that MS doesn't even write their defrager.  It's a third party app that's integrated into thier OS.  If that's true I'm sure a lot of the other MS intigrated apps are also third party.  I can't verify that... I just remember reading it one day.  Nice low margin/high volume business for the app writers if that's true.

[gyrene81]

I read somewhere one day that MS doesn't even write their defrager.  It's a third party app that's integrated into thier OS.  If that's true I'm sure a lot of the other MS intigrated apps are also third party.  I can't verify that... I just remember reading it one day.  Nice low margin/high volume business for the app writers if that's true.

Yeah, the Windows drive defragmentation program is a stripped down version of Diskeeper Pro...and it's as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

It's slow and not as effective as some 3rd party apps.