Disk defragmentation

Wishmaster · 22 May 2010

As already explained some files are locked while the OS is running.

There have already been some excellent suggestions, but I would also like to add:

Perfect Disk is an excellent defragmenter (and my personal choice)
This one I have found to be the best of all I have tried , both free & paid.
It is not free however, so you must purchase it. but they do offer a 30day trial if you decide to check it out.

It can defragment all of the locked files in a 'Offline Defrag". you can then run again inside Windows with a "Smart Placement" to complete the job if it really bothers you that much, which helps reduce future fragmentation

There may be some free versions that can do this as well, but Im not not sure on that. (Please inform if so, I would like to know)

I do not think that the little bit of system file fragmentation will really impact overall performance however.

But something you can try if it really bugs you and all other options fail.

Also, each defragmenter may show a different amount of fragmentation. This is because how each program sees the files and organize them.
They all have slightly different methods.

In the end, just like the "Whats the best AV Suite" question, defragmenters are a bit the same. They all work well, but it comes down mostly to personal preference.
At least IMHO

sbrads · 22 May 2010

Different defraggers can give large differences in post-defragmentation bootup times, but that's probably because they try to 'optimize' file placement on the disk in different ways to how MS do it. Some get the job done really quick (Auslogic), some are rather slow (MyDefrag).

gregrocker · 22 May 2010

+1 Perfect Disk 10 trial version. I use it's Offline Defragger for System Files that won't move so partition can be shrunk. I think it is the only tool that does this.

My regular defragger Auslogics gives the map which shows the unmovable SysFile to begin with.

A Guy · 22 May 2010

karlsnooks said:

I have tried several free and not-free defraggers.

I have settled upon:

Choice #1: contig -q -s c: (or whatever drive you are degragging)
Choice #2: Defraggler because of the graphic display and the indication of which files are involved.

Contig is part of the SysInternals suite. of course, contig can be downloaded separately. Contig is free, is the entire suite. My personal favorites of the suite are autoruns, procmon, proexp.

In a second, I'll get the links you need.

You can not do better than contig in my opinion.
Contig

I too always use contig, alomg with Auslogic, and MyDefrag at various times, but I use the Power Defragmenter GUI, works great:

Power Defragmenter is a very advanced GUI for the Sysinternals core application which takes defragmentation process to a whole new level.

Power Defragmenter is a GUI (Graphic User Interface) application for program Contig by Sysinternals.

Contig is a very powerful defragmentation application designed for Windows NT/2000/XP operating systems.

Contig created by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell.

Whats new in version 3.0?
- Simplified Contig download and setup (now almost fully automatic)
- Removed PowerMode(TM) because of compatibility problems with Windows Vista
- Introduced TriplePass(TM) mode replacing obsolete PowerMode(TM)*
- Added ability to defragment removable drives (mostly floppy and USB hard drives**)
- Fixed few glitches
- New Vista style graphics

* TripleMode(TM) runs Contig in 3 passes defragmenting any remaining fragmented files
** don't use on USB flash and SSD drives as they are basically immune to the file fragmentation due to almost non existent access latency. Defragmenting flash devices also decreases their lifetime.

Download Power Defragmenter 3.0 - This software will take the defragmentation process to a whole new level - Softpedia

A Guy

HMonk · 22 May 2010

O&O Defrag 10 Pro will perform an online defrag of system, MFT, registry, and directories; it will perform an offline defrag of the page file.

I mention Defrag 10 Pro because it was offered free after v. 12 was released. Can you still find it free????

Monk

brainiacary · 22 May 2010

Thanks everybody for replies and suggestions.You have asked why just 6% fragmentation is bothering me, because every other 3 partitions even system windows partition c drive is 0% fragmented but the d drive which is almost empty with just 1% usage is 6% fragmented.Just a week ago,when i checked, it was also 0%. I'm worried bcoz yesterday i had power outage causing my PC improper shutdown.later I did complete Disk check on all drives and got "no problems" result.then I did disk defragmentation.every other partitions were clear (0% fragmented) except D with 7%.So i performed defrag that showed 6% after finishing.

A Guy · 22 May 2010

HMonk said:

O&O Defrag 10 Pro will perform an online defrag of system, MFT, registry, and directories; it will perform an offline defrag of the page file.

I mention Defrag 10 Pro because it was offered free after v. 12 was released. Can you still find it free????

Monk

This should still work:

Register for license

O&O Software -

Download

O&O Software - Archive

A Guy

brainiacary · 23 May 2010

I've formatted the disk now and now its fine

But Im little bit scared have i done something wrong now that may cause problem in future ?

Bare Foot Kid · 23 May 2010

Hello brainiacary.

If you're concerned you may have system problems, you can run a system file integrity check but it may set to default some of your system tweaks if you have some, just be aware; have a look at the tutorial at the link below.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

karlsnooks · 23 May 2010

gregrocker said:

+1 Perfect Disk 10 trial version. I use it's Offline Defragger for System Files that won't move so partition can be shrunk. I think it is the only tool that does this.

My regular defragger Auslogics gives the map which shows the unmovable SysFile to begin with.

There is now a Perfect Disk 11.
Haven't checked it out yet to see what's new.