Disk defragmenting

[Adagio]

What is the best disk defragmenter around? Or do you all just use the one that comes with Windows?

I tried one about 6 months ago, don't remember it's name, but had a problem with large (>600 mb) files, as it fragmented them (but only did so with new files)

[loinburger]

I used to use the one that came with Norton, but now I don't use Norton so I just use the one that came with Windows.

[Cort Haus]

The windows defrag usually needs several consecutive runs to really tidy things up. I must admit that I use it because I can be bothered to find a better one for free.

[Ming]

I've never had any problems with the one that comes with windows. If used on a regular basis, it works fine.
But yeah, if it's been a "while" since you've done it, you probably will need to run it a few times to really do the job.

[Proteus_MST]

Glue if the Disc isn´t too fragmented.
If the disc is too fragmented and theres just a pile of tiny pieces of it, you can´t defragment it anymore.



Nope,
just like Ming and Cort Haus I use the defrag utility from Windows.
MNaybe there are better ones around, but the deafrag utility from windows does its job , so there´s no need for me to search for another one.

[Arrian]

How often should one run it?

-Arrian

[Richelieu]

Run it now.

[yin26]

Originally posted by Arrian
How often should one run it?

-Arrian

1. Now.
2. Before installing any new software.
3. After uninstalling any software.
4. Once a month if nothing else (though if you aren't adding/deleting any software, the disk should be fine).

[Cort Haus]

If it's been a while since the last run, it's worth doing a little cleanup before running it - deleting temp files, caches, recycle bin, and especially any large data files that are no longer needed.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by yin26

1. Now.
2. Before installing any new software.
3. After uninstalling any software.
4. Once a month if nothing else (though if you aren't adding/deleting any software, the disk should be fine).

Eek.

When I get home, then.

So not doing it for, say, years... is bad?

-Arrian

[yin26]

It used to be a bigger issue when drive space was more at a premium (and Windows would choke if it didn't have enough free space to work out the defragmentation). You'd get to a point where the disk couldn't re-order itself and then you'd get constant hard drive thrasing on even basic tasks (loading Word, for example). These days, I only defrag when I'm installing something new...and I haven't had problems.

[Donegeal]

Thanks for the reminder guys! It's only been 4 ****ING YEARS!!!!

(I think I dropped the ball on this one...)

[Arrian]

Join the club.

-Arrian

[Adagio]

Originally posted by Donegeal
Thanks for the reminder guys! It's only been 4 ****ING YEARS!!!!

4 YEARS?

[Asher]

PerfectDisk is the best out there -- has the best algorithms and an offline defragment mode to specifically defragment windows system files.