OS optimization: Disk defragmentation program. The best programs to defragment your hard drive on Windows

Tip: Windows has a built-in defragmentation program, but in most cases, dedicated programs do a better job.

Defraggler

This program is simply one of the best. It allows you to defragment data or free space on your internal or external drive. There is also an option to defragment individual files and folders. Defraggler allows you to run defragmentation at boot time, check disks for errors, empty the Recycle Bin before defragmentation starts, exclude selected files from the process, move rarely used files to increase disk access speed.

Defraggler is also available in a portable version for flash drives.

Smart Defrag

Smart Defrag is great when it comes to scheduling automatic defragmentation because it has some specific advanced options. The program supports running defragmentation when the computer goes into an idle state or manually according to a schedule. You can use Smart Defrag to run boot-time defragmentation and remove blocked file fragments.

Smart Defrag can also exclude files and folders from the defragmentation and analysis process, replace the defragmentation program Windows run defragmentation of applications only Windows or skip files larger than the specified size during defragmentation.

Auslogics Disk Defrag

Auslogics Disk Defrag It is presented as a regular program that requires installation; however, it can be used in portable mode on removable media.System files that tend to be frequently used can be moved to faster areas of the disk to improve startup times and overall system performance.You can also check the disk for errors using chkdsk optimize your hard drive, exclude files and folders from the defragmentation process, and delete temporary system files before the process begins.

Unfortunately, Auslogics Disk Defrag cannot run defragmentation while the computer is booting and is not able to defragment empty space.

Puran Defrag

The program has a built-in intelligent optimizer that allows you to intelligently move files to speed up access to them. Like many programs on this list, Puran Defrag can defragment folders and files from Windows Explorer right-click on the context menu, delete user folders and files before starting defragmentation and start the process during system boot.

There are several specific scheduling options available in Puran Defrag. For example, automatically running defragmentation every few hours when the system goes into sleep mode or when the screen saver appears.You can also set up a permanent defragmentation schedule during system boot. This could be every first computer startup per day or per week, or even per month.

Disk Speedup

Disk Speedup is another free defragmentation program that can defragment not only the entire disk, but also individual files and folders. You can configure defragmentation to start automatically if the system is idle for a certain time. This program has very specific parameters. For example, you can disable defragmentation of files whose parts are smaller than 10 MB, or files with more than 3 parts, or files whose parts are larger than 150 MB. And all these values ​​can be customized.

You can configure Disk Speedup so that the program regularly moves large, unused (or rarely used) files and/or files of a certain format to the end of the disk, then small files will be located in faster areas, which will increase system performance.

In addition to the above, this program can also exclude files and folders from general defragmentation, run the process during system boot, turn off the computer after defragmentation is finished, and also run defragmentation or optimization on any disk on a schedule: every day, week or month.

Toolwiz Smart Defrag

Toolwiz Smart Defrag is a small program with a really simple and minimal interface that installs quite quickly. This program is claimed to be 10 times faster than the pre-installed one. Windows defragmenter, and also knows how to archive files to another part of the disk to increase the speed of access to regular files. You can see the number of fragmented files in the analysis, and the defragmentation process starts really quickly.

However, you will not be able to view the level of disk fragmentation or schedule defragmentation at a later date.If you're looking for a program that's easy to use without a ton of buttons and settings, then Toolwiz Smart Defrag is perfect for you.

O&O Defrag Free Edition

O&O Defrag Free Edition has an organized and easy-to-use interface. It supports typical functionality that you will find in similar software, such as disk optimization, viewing a list of all fragmented files, checking the disk for errors. In addition to running defragmentation on a schedule every week, you can set O&O Defrag Free Edition to run automatically defragmentation when the screensaver appears. If necessary, you can run the Quick Configuration Wizard and easily set up a schedule or immediately run disk optimization.

UltraDefrag is suitable for both beginners and advanced users because it has both general functions that everyone can understand and special options for making specific changes to the program. General functions such as recovery, defragmentation and disk optimization are as simple as in any other programs. However, if you want to make changes to the program, then you need to know how to handle the BAT file.

MyDefrag

MyDefrag can run a simple or complex defragmentation depending on what you need. It works by loading and running scripts on one or more drives. Some scripts are included and installed with the program. For example, Scheduled defragmentation, disk analysis, free space consolidation. The default settings are suitable for general users.Advanced users can create their own custom scripts, the online manual has all the information you need to create the scripts.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free

Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free - this program consists of a set of mini-programs called modules, one of which is designed to fragment hard drives.

You can configure defragmentation to start when the computer is idle and even determine the desired percentage of CPU usage. There are also regular scheduling options: daily and monthly defragmentation.

Before starting defragmentation, you will need to select a mode: fast, normal or smart. You can also run defragmentation while your computer is booting to defragment files that are normally locked Windows.

In contact with

All file systems store information in small clusters, so placing any file requires not just one cluster, but a fairly 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 initially copy files to a new hard drive, they will be written to adjacent clusters. But after some time, when the size of files increases during 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 files are actively overwritten (with frequent saving and deleting of files, moving files and folders, active installation/uninstallation of applications), as well as when working with a disk that is more than half full. Fragmented files remain fully functional, but they are slower to read because each time you open such files, the system is forced to search for all fragments of the file, which slows down its response time. In addition, severe disk fragmentation (due to the increased use of read heads, which require many movements across the disk to read all parts of fragmented files) can lead to a reduction in its service life. Therefore, it is periodically necessary to resort to the process of disk defragmentation. To defragment disks, you can use the built-in Windows utility, Windows Disk Defragmenter, which can be called Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. This program is based on an outdated commercial version of the Diskeeper package and allows you to defragment volumes formatted in the FAT, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. 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% of free disk space to operate (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 file download speed. In addition, this defragmenter does not merge all the free space of the volume - as a result, the likelihood of a rapid increase in the level of disk fragmentation in the future remains. And the possibilities for 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

1. Most defragmenters can reorganize files in the background, but it is still unlikely to be possible to use resource-intensive applications, so it is wiser to run the defragmentation process when there is no activity on the computer (for example, at the end of the working day) or while operations are being performed on the computer. not requiring special system resources.
2. If the disks are more than 75% full, then to carry out 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, carry out a quick partial defragmentation (this will allow you to get larger blocks of free space) and only then - full.
3. As a rule, for daily (weekly) defragmentation it is wiser to limit yourself to quick 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 necessary) you should set aside time for complete defragmentation, running it with high priority - preferably in those moments when you are not using the computer. As for the continuous defragmentation mode offered in some defragmenters, its usefulness is a controversial issue. Of course, on the one hand, this approach can actually reduce the need for frequent complete defragmentation. On the other hand, continuous defragmentation leads to increased load on the hard drive, which can shorten the life of the drive.
4. It is wiser to remove junk files from your 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.
5. In fact, not only user files are fragmented on the disk, but also service files of the operating system - system files and the master 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 built-in functionality for defragmenting the named service files, then, as a rule, MFT defragmentation is performed immediately after enabling the corresponding option, and system files, access to which is blocked by the operating system, only through the so-called offline defragmentation, performed after rebooting the computer, but before Windows starts.

Programs for defragmenting hard drives

PerfectDisk 10

Defragmentation of system files, access to which is blocked by the operating system, is started by clicking on the "System Files" button and occurs after a reboot. First, in the disk properties (the "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 at the PC. This is not difficult to do - 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 managing the priority level - by changing it, it is easy to temporarily block the operation of the utility or, conversely, provide it with greater resources. All this is regulated through the program properties, which can be accessed on any of the tabs.

Diskeeper 2009

In terms of optimization, Diskeeper implements I-FAAST technology (Professional edition only), which takes into account the degree of activity in accessing files when placing files. In addition, the package provides the ability to more effectively defragment large files - this means their partial reorganization, after which the files remain fragmented, but to a lesser extent (this option may be useful if the amount of free space is insufficient or there is very little time to carry out the process) . An exception is allowed when defragmenting specified files and folders - say, temporary files that will soon be deleted. This is done through the list of exceptions (command "Action" > "Configure Diskeeper" > "Diskeeper Configuration Properties", tab "File Exclusion").

In this article, we’ll look at programs for defragmenting a Windows 10 disk. Of course, we won’t be able to cover even the third part, but we’ll try anyway. Let’s focus on these ones, since they meet a number of important conditions:

• free, with the possibility of expanding the tools for a nominal fee;
• a large set of tools;
• installed in a few minutes and without additional hidden applications.

Let's find out which is the best defragmenter for Windows 10!

Defraggler

A free program from a fairly well-known company Piriform.Ltd - creators of Reсuva and CClener. It is a very powerful tool for analyzing and optimizing both the disk as a whole and individual files and folders, which saves time and helps achieve faster results. The interface is intuitive and even a beginner can handle it. Showed stable operation and a high level of data processing. It is in the top positions in the ranking of defragmenters for Windows 10.

The color marking of the clusters - active and when selected - displays complete information: the executable file, the date of the last change and the location on the screw, in addition, it indicates the number of fragments that the file consists of and the size.

You can talk about the possibilities for a long time, just look at the menu.

Auslogics Disk Defrag Free

Fast and easy, it works automatically and can run optimization while you're relaxing. Perhaps one of the best programs for defragmenting a Windows 10 disk, and these are not just words - a little about the facts. Allows you to view files during hard drive analysis and provides complete information on them. Excellent speed up PC operation and support VSS technology and save recording and storage area.

It has an excellent feature - combining free clusters into 1 block, thereby avoiding fragmentation.

Tests have shown that it detects 2 times more fragmented files than the built-in Windows optimizer.

The interface is simple and clear, Russified, but even in the English version you will not find unfamiliar commands.

A small unit is provided for working with the SSD with clearly described tools.

Advanced SystemCare Free

Powerful with a stylish interface in dark colors, rich in features that will amaze even the most sophisticated. It optimizes, works with system errors and corrects them, and can speed up both the system with the registry and network access.

A convenient monitor that allows you to monitor CPU and RAM usage. Banners, spies, trojans, etc. – are not a problem for him either – he recognizes and eliminates them.

Free, in Russian, with all the tools, it is very easy to use and does not require special skills.

An excellent registry defragmenter for Windows 10 - you don’t have to worry about system files.

Alternative software

In addition to the listed software, there are a number of equally worthy ones:

• Glary Utilites - speed up the disk and registry, clean up disk partitions, restore damaged files, remove traces of surfing the Internet, etc. Russified and free.
• Wise Disk Cleaner is the most powerful in cleaning the OS, and its name translated from English is Wise Disk Cleaner. It knows how to defragment and, I must say, very painstakingly.
• O&O Defrag is a favorite program of users with extensive experience; it allows you to play in clusters and place parts of files in the most suitable places. Suitable for both netbook, PC and serious workstation. Free license and supports Russian language.

This concludes our short review, and you can get acquainted with the topic and improve it on our website.

The hard drive is one of the most important components of a computer, but not all users pay due attention to it. If the processor, video card, RAM and other components fail, they can be replaced quite simply, whereas if the drive breaks down, the computer owner will lose all his data, which obviously no one wants. To avoid hard drive failure, you need to carefully monitor it and defragment it regularly.

What is disk defragmentation

The defragmentation process is very simple and very important, but many people forget about the need for it. It is the organization of files on the hard drive in such a way that the operating system can access them more easily and quickly when requested.

While the hard drive is operating, new information constantly appears on it. The user downloads files from the Internet, installs programs and games, creates new documents and performs a number of other tasks. When information is stored on a hard drive, it occupies a certain number of free clusters on it. At the time of deleting, changing, copying files, the clusters are cleared, but free space is formed between one and another file on the hard drive. Disk defragmentation is necessary to organize the files on the disk so that they follow each other sequentially, and there are no free clusters left between them.

Disk defragmentation on Windows is necessary because:

Some users know about the need to defragment, but do not do it. This is due to the fact that this process is very lengthy, and organizing files on a large storage device can take up to ten hours. At the same time, the procedure time can be significantly reduced; to do this, it is enough to perform it monthly, as recommended by hard drive manufacturers. The more often you defragment, the less data on the drive will have to be moved, and therefore this process will happen faster.

Important: Defragmentation is only necessary on spinning head hard drives, while it is not necessary on SSD drives. The process of defragmenting a solid-state drive will only lead to a reduction in the number of rewrite cycles to it, but will not provide a performance increase.

How to defragment a disk

To defragment a disk, you need to run the corresponding process. The Windows operating system contains a special tool that allows you to defragment your hard drive. Unfortunately, it is not perfect, and in most cases it is more convenient to use third-party utilities. Different programs contain their own algorithms for defragmenting the drive. Below we will give an example of several such applications and tell you how to perform the work of organizing clusters using the system's tools.

Defragmenting a hard drive using Windows

If you're wondering how to defragment a disk in Windows 10 or earlier versions of the operating system, it's quite easy to do. To run the standard defragmentation tool you need to:

Please note that you can also configure “Schedule optimization” in this menu item. When selecting the appropriate item, you must specify the frequency of the process and the hard drive/drives that will be subjected to it. After this, the system will automatically defragment the drive according to the selected schedule.

Hard drive defragmentation programs

There are dozens of applications that allow you to defragment your hard drive. Each of them has its pros and cons. Some are better suited for large hard drives or drives that are installed on servers, while others are good for home use. Below we suggest considering a couple of free programs for defragmenting your hard drive.

The simplest and most convenient application for defragmenting a hard drive on a home computer is Defraggler. The free version of the program, which can be downloaded from the official website of the developers, does not have wide functionality, but it copes with its main task.

The application is officially localized into Russian, and it allows you to defragment not only the entire disk, but also an individual program or folder. The program also provides an option for quick disk defragmentation.

Auslogics Disk Defrag Free is a free version of the application of the same name from Auslogics. You can also download it from the official website of the developers. The application is slightly more functional than Defraggler, and it does not have a Russian language, which makes it more difficult to work with. At the same time, the program has a number of functions that are not available in the official Windows hard drive optimization tool and in the Defraggler application.

Before choosing the best defragmenter, you should understand the main function it performs. Files that end up on the local disk of the computer are placed quite chaotically. Over time, this can cause the system to operate slowly, since, having accumulated in a large volume, various data will interfere with fast reading. This process is called fragmentation. To correct the situation and organize files, defragmentation is used, which redistributes information, freeing up space and reducing the time the system processes data.

Windows 7 OS is currently a very popular system that has a beautiful design and is more convenient to use than its predecessor. However, it is also susceptible to fragmentation, which makes it very important to consider the question of how to choose the best defragmenter for Windows 7. Considering the main contenders, we can highlight the top five.

The first on the list is Diskeeper, which has proven itself well on Windows XP. It not only copes well with its main task, but also makes the fragmentation process more difficult in the future, which has a positive effect on the speed of the system and its programs. According to many experts, Diskeeper is the best defragmenter for Windows 7. It has one very characteristic feature. Even 1% of free disk space is enough for it to work. In comparison, any other application will need at least 5% of clean space to start functioning.

The disadvantages include low operating speed. In fact, it is the slowest defragmenter. And besides, it only works with entire disks, so it won’t be possible to speed up the work of individual sectors.

The O&O Defrag application from German developers is also familiar from Windows XP. One of the generally recognized leaders in the segment. He has a number of distinctive abilities that allow him to act as efficiently as possible. Compresses system files, MFT areas and Works with any file systems, copes well with very large disks. We can safely say that O&O Defrag and Diskeeper are the best defragmenters.

Among the disadvantages of this application, high system load is noted, which makes it difficult to use on weak computers. Very rarely, but still sometimes it freezes during operation and offline defragmentation fails.

The Raxco PerfectDisk defragmenter has proven itself well. It works quite quickly, has several modes and can defragment not only entire disks, but also individual files. The big disadvantage, especially for novice users, is the complex interface.

Ashampoo Magical Defrag. A pretty good defragmenter, but nothing more. It performs its main function better than the standard Windows tool, but it does not stand out in anything special and is much inferior to the applications described above. Unlike the top three, the program is absolutely free.

Auslogics Disk Defrag. This is perhaps the best defragmenter for Windows 7 that you don't have to pay for. You can use both the installed version of the product and the portable one. Demonstrates the speed of the system before and after defragmentation. The disadvantages include the relatively low functionality of the program, especially in comparison with commercial versions, but the high speed and efficiency of operation have allowed it to achieve wide distribution.

Each user must decide for himself which defragmenter is better, since each of them has its own weaknesses and