Cancelling defragmentation?

[TheFlie]

Hello,

Just wondering if cancelling defragmentation can cause problems. I am using the windows defragging tool now

Partition is 29% fragmented, 2nd partition of hard disk with total volume of 500GB, size of partition is 250GB
1) 24 hours - 28%
2) 34 hours - 30% just 2%

Would there be a faster(and safe) tool to do this if cancelling is safe enough?

 

[Brink]

Hello TheFile,

Sure, you can safely cancel defragmentation if you like. Just don't do a hard restart or shutdown of the computer to stop it though.

The free version of Defraggler and Auslogics Disk Defrag are nice choices.

 

[TheFlie]

Okay thanks,

Do you have any recommended tools which works maybe better than the windows one?

 

[Brink]

The free version of Defraggler and Auslogics Disk Defrag are nice choices.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Curious. I'm not doubting you, Brink, but I had the same symptoms the OP is having, plus crashes, with Defraggler. I switched to Win 7's defragger and it works perfectly.

 

[scr]

Curious. I'm not doubting you, Brink, but I had the same symptoms the OP is having, plus crashes, with Defraggler. I switched to Win 7's defragger and it works perfectly.

I had the same results and now use the Win 7's built in as well. No more problems.

 

[Brink]

I always just use the ones included in Windows as well. 3rd party defrag programs can vary per system for how they perform.

 

[LMiller7]

All disk defrag utilities use the same defrag functions provided by the OS - as they must. The NTFS file system get really confused (with possible dire consequences) when the underlying disk structure is modified without it's knowledge. The defrag functions work with the file system so it is fully aware of what is happening, thus avoiding the problem.

The defrag functions were designed to tolerate canceling the process without harm. If it wasn't safe the option would not have been provided. Just don't reboot during the defrag or forcefully terminate the process.

Incidentally, do not mix use of different defrag utilities. They all have different concepts of fragmentation values and optimum file arrangement. A fresh defrag by one will be seen as wrong by another and proceed to correct the problem. This won't harm the disk structure but it will waste a great deal of time.

File fragmentation isn't nearly as serious a problem as is often believed, at least with modern systems. Even moderate levels of fragmentation don't really make much difference.

I just set Window defrag schedule and never concern myself with it. Other utilities have many more options for those who desire such things. I doubt they will make a noticeable difference in performance.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Hello,

Just wondering if cancelling defragmentation can cause problems. I am using the windows defragging tool now

Partition is 29% fragmented, 2nd partition of hard disk with total volume of 500GB, size of partition is 250GB
1) 24 hours - 28%
2) 34 hours - 30% just 2%

Would there be a faster(and safe) tool to do this if cancelling is safe enough?

Could you post a screen shot of Computer so we can see how the disk has been partitioned and how full the partitions are? The reason I ask is a disk or partition has to have so much headroom (empty space) for the computer to use when defragmenting, generally around 10-15%. If there is too little headroom and there are too many or too large files, then defragmentation can take too long or even get stalled.