Which defragmenter is better to choose? The best utilities for HDD defragmentation

Despite the fact that users prefer to use third-party ones, we recommend the one built into the Windows 7 and 10 operating system (for Windows XP it is still better to choose an external tool). And there are a number of very significant reasons for this.

1. Saving resources. The built-in defragmenter in Windows does not have additional modules that constantly hang in memory and show us how beautiful they are and what great benefits they bring by showing us hourly lists of files that they defragmented, as third-party products like to do.

2. Unified sorting algorithm, which was chosen by Microsoft (Windows authors). In the absence of comparative tests, it is impossible to understand which file sorting algorithm is better. Therefore, we give preference to the algorithm from Microsoft, since in this case they know better which sorting option is more suitable for their operating system.

3. SSD support. All modern Windows, from 7 to 10, support working with SSDs. The Windows defragmentation program is no exception in this regard - it detects the presence of an SSD drive and automatically skips this drive without defragmenting it. Third-party utilities often claim that SSD defragmentation is necessary and perform some of their own dubious sorting algorithms for this.

4. Scheduled work. The built-in Windows tool can be configured to run automatically. In Windows 7, to do this, you just need to set the day and time to start (you can also configure the computer to automatically turn on for this, and turn off when completed, if you plan such procedures for the night). In Windows 10, everything is even simpler - defragmentation is carried out automatically during system downtime. This happens as part of an optimization process that's built into Windows 10 and starts automatically the moment you step away from your computer.

Defragmentation programs allow you to rearrange parts of files on your hard drive so that fragments of the same file are located sequentially. This allows the hard drive to read and write information faster.

In other words, defragmentation makes reading a file faster because the hard drive doesn't have to move the read head to do so. Disk controller software will allow you to read the entire file in one go, which will significantly increase the speed of the disk subsystem.
It should be noted that defragmentation and defragmentation software are only useful for systems with hard drives. When using SSD drives, no head movements occur and the controller of such a drive itself takes care of the placement of data blocks, without requiring external intervention.

Although each Windows operating system comes with its own program for defragmenting hard drives, using third-party free software is completely justified, as it allows you to complete this process better and faster.

Note: only free programs are presented here, which are usually enough to perform defragmentation efficiently. Links to programs can be found at the bottom of the article.

Screenshot of Defraggler version v2.20.989 on Windows 8

One of the best free defragmentation programs. It can be either in a version for installation on a hard drive or in a portable version. To reduce operating time, you can specify optimization not only of the entire disk, but also of individual folders.

Defraggler can start working when the computer boots, check the disk for errors, empty the Recycle Bin before starting its work, exclude pre-defined files from the defragmentation process, select rarely used files and move them to the end of the disk to leave its beginning for those files that are used often.

The company that released the program, Piriform, is also known to users for its other popular products - CCleaner (system cleaning) and Recuva (data recovery).

Defraggler can be installed on Windows 10, Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP operating systems, as well as on server families of Windows operating systems.

Screenshot of Smart Defrag version 5 on Windows

The free program is great for automatically optimizing files on a schedule. The automatic defragmentation settings, even in the free version, are in many ways superior to many of its competitors.

The program allows you to start moving hard disk blocks while the computer boots, thus gaining access to system files or files pinned during normal Windows operation.

In addition, Smart Defrag allows you to exclude individual files or folders on the disk from the defragmentation process, replace the standard Windows operating system application, optimize only Windows Metro interface applications, and skip files of a certain size.

In addition, in the settings you can specify the preliminary deletion of unused and temporary files of the operating system and Internet Explorer browser to free up the disk. Cached data is removed to speed up the process and eliminate unnecessary and temporary data.

The program can be installed on computers running Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP operating systems.

Screenshot of Auslogics Disk Defrag version 6 on Windows 7

Auslogic's disk defragmenter software is available in two versions: an installation version and a portable version for distribution on removable media.

The settings allow you to move Windows system files and program libraries, as the most frequently used data, to areas of the disk that are read the fastest. This setting allows you to increase the overall performance of your computer by reducing system response time.

Like many other software, Auslogics Disk Defrag allows you to start the process while your computer is booting. In addition, the hard drive can be checked for errors using chkdsk, it can be optimized, folders and directories can be added or excluded from the process, background scans can be run, and temporary files can be deleted before starting defragmentation.

Auslogics Disk Defrag, even in its free version, works on almost all user versions of the operating system - Windows 10, Windows 8 and earlier.

Puran Defrag has its own data optimization engine - Puran Intelligent Optimizer (PIOZR). This engine, according to the manufacturer, intelligently moves files so that they are located as much as possible on the outer areas of the hard drives. At the same time, at the same speed of rotation of the disk spindle, the head manages to travel a greater distance per unit time and, by reading more data, ensures high performance of the computer.

Like many other programs on this list, Puran Defrag can defragment files and directories when you invoke the right-click context menu in an Explorer window. It can delete various temporary data before optimization to speed up its process; it can work while the computer is booting to access those files that are not accessible in normal mode.

In addition, the software has some specific settings and capabilities. So its work can be started according to a schedule by setting the number of hours of system inactivity after which it needs to be turned on, you can program disk defragmentation during the startup of the Screen Saver (screensaver).

In addition, you can start the process, for example, when you turn on your computer for the first time in a current day, or when you turn on your machine for the first time in a week or month.

Along with undeniable advantages, the program has disadvantages. So many researchers note that Puran Defrag tries to install a number of third-party programs during its installation.

Puran Defrag is compatible with many operating systems. And can be run on Windows 10, 8, 7 and earlier.

Screenshot of the company's Disk Speedup program © Glarysoft.com

Disk Speedup is another free hard drive defragmenter program that can work not only on the entire volume, but also on individual files and directories on it. You can start the file optimization process after a specified number of minutes of system inactivity have passed.

The software has some specific settings. This way, you can exclude from processing files with fragments less than 10 megabytes, files consisting of more than 3 fragments, and larger than 150 megabytes. All these values are adjustable.

In addition, large, rarely used files, files of certain formats (for example, video, graphics, archives, etc.) can be sent to the end of the disk, thus leaving small and frequently used data at the beginning of the disk. In this way, you can expect that the HDD head will not have to jump from one area of the disk to another too often in its normal operation, which will lead to an increase in the performance of the system as a whole.

Among other things, Disk Speedup can be launched during system boot, can exclude individual folders and files from processing, automatically turn off the computer when the process is completed on one or more disks, and work according to a set schedule.

Note: Disk Speedup tries to install some other programs from the manufacturer, but this behavior can be stopped during installation by simply unchecking the appropriate boxes in the installer dialog.

The program is declared to work on computers running Windows 8, 7, Vista and other operating systems, including server ones. Independent testers checked the operation of the software on a computer running Windows 10 - everything functioned without any complaints.

Free program from ToolWiz Software. It is characterized by a very fast installation process on a computer and a minimal interface. It is stated that this software can optimize the hard drive 10 times faster than the standard Windows tool. It can move archives to a special slow part of the hard drive, giving small system files quick access.

The program shows the number of defragmented files on the disk, it really does its job very quickly, it can show the overall level of fragmentation, and it can schedule its launch at a later time.

While sometimes it's nice to have a tool that's lightweight and simple to perform a function without being cluttered with unnecessary buttons or settings, sometimes they're very necessary. So Toolwiz Smart Defrag is designed in such a way that almost nothing can be configured in it. If your priority is to find the easiest to use, but effective and fast program, this is one of the best options.

Works under Windows 8 and below.

WinUtilities DiskDefrag is not a completely dedicated program. This is an optimization system that includes, among other things, a disk defragmentation module. However, it is a fairly simple and highly customizable tool.

All the usual features for this class of free programs are present here: work on a schedule, the ability to start while the system is idle, and the ability to control computer power.

In the settings, you can set more than 10 behavior options: analysis only, analysis and moving rarely used files to the end of the disk, etc. In addition, you can control the estimated time for optimization, exclude folders and files.

Another feature of the software is the ability to select files and folders to move to a special area on the disk (the SpaceHogs area), where the program tries to place large and rarely used objects. Therefore, in manual mode, you can flexibly configure your computer so that it works as quickly as possible.

In the settings, you can set the need to automatically turn off the computer when the defragmentation process is complete.

The hard drive optimization module in the program can be found by selecting the menu item “Modules > Optimize & Improve > Disk Defrag”.

The program works perfectly in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP operating systems.

The free version of O&O Software's software features a simple and well-designed user interface. Even in the free version, it contains most of the features available from competitors - disk optimization, viewing all fragmented disks, checking the disk for errors.

In addition to being able to run scheduled scans and fixes on a specific day of the week, O&O Defrag Free Edition can be programmed to start running when the screen saver starts up.

For those who do not want to deal with the settings, it is possible to launch the settings assistant.

Some of the necessary features are missing in the free version and are present only in the paid version. Therefore, it may happen that when turning on some option, the user will receive a message that in order to obtain this option it is necessary to upgrade to a paid option.

Works under almost all common Windows operating systems. From Windows 10 to 8, 7, Vista. However, in reviews of this software, sometimes there are messages that it was not possible to fully launch it on a particular machine.

Screenshot of UltraDefrag version 7.0.0

The program is intended for both beginners and advanced users. Along with simple settings, there is an option for more complex actions, so regardless of the user’s experience, the program can be used equally effectively.

Most of the functions are similar to other software, but at the same time, if you need to defragment while the computer is booting, you must have basic skills in working with batch .bat files.

There is both a version of the program for installation on a computer and a portable, portable version. In addition, there is a version of the program for 32-bit systems and a version of the Windows defragmentation program for 64-bit Windows systems.

The developer states that the program is intended for Windows 8 and lower operating systems, but testing has shown that it functions perfectly in various versions of Windows 10.

A program created by a single programmer. Previously called JkDefrag. Like the previous option, it can work both in a simple mode for beginners or undemanding users, and provide complex configuration options to follow the user’s exact instructions.

The program can execute pre-created scripts containing defragmentation tasks. Scripts can be changed (created and edited) by the user himself. Moreover, during installation the program already contains a number of standard scripts. So she can work according to a schedule, analyze the hard drive, and allocate free space on it. The default settings are great for those who do not want to understand all this and want to use the program for its intended purpose.

Works under all Windows operating systems.

One of the ways to increase the efficiency of a modern computer is a disk defragmentation program - an application that rationally distributes data across a storage device.

With its help, even an inexperienced user can speed up the computer.

And, if their size has increased, it may turn out that the new information will be placed not in the adjacent sector, already occupied by other data, but in another part of the hard drive.

As a result, the file takes longer to access and the overall program startup time increases.

All this happens gradually, but if the disk has not been defragmented for a long time, the operating speed may drop by 10–20 percent or even more.

Defragmentation is a process that allows you to move parts of files so that they are located contiguously.

This simplifies access to programs by reducing the distance traveled by the read heads of the hard drive. The best programs for defragmentation

Helpful information:

Defraggler

IObit SmartDefrag

The fast Russian program provides file placement in one of the best ways, as it uses the most effective scripts.

Data is placed on the fastest sections of the disk, and the system runs much faster.

The main advantages of the application include a high degree of file security, which is not threatened even by a sudden accidental shutdown of the computer while SmartDefrag is running.

In addition, defragmentation can be carried out in three modes (simple, deep and optimized).

O&O Defrag

A well-known program is, if not the best, then at least one of the most popular.

It is often used by advanced users to move parts of files to places where they can work with maximum efficiency.

With the help of O&O Defrag, the performance of a desktop computer, laptop, and workstation can be restored.

The advantages of a defragmenter are:

Special installers for embedding a custom script;
Automatically configure defragmentation mode;
High speed of analysis and optimization;
Process charts;
Expanded functionality when working on the network;
Availability of a multilingual interface (there is also a Russian version);
Supports all types of Windows, ranging from XP and Vista;
Automatic selection of bit depth (32 or 64) for better performance in the corresponding operating system;
Special mode for mobile PCs (netbooks and laptops).

Windows Tools

If for some reason (for example, there is no Internet access, Windows is protected from installing third-party applications, or there is a possibility of infection with a virus), you cannot download the defragmentation utility, you can use the standard program that is built into operating systems.

To access it you need:

Open the Start menu;
Start typing the word “defragmentation” in the search bar;
Go to the corresponding utility that appears in the search results;
Run disk defragmentation.

The same can be done if in the “Start” menu you first find the “standard” item and then “system tools”.

This method is suitable for Windows 7 and XP. And for Windows 8 and 8.1, you can open the search bar even faster by pressing the Win + Q combination.

Then the defragmentation utility is located in the same way and the process starts.

The need for manual defragmentation

Manual defragmentation is not always practical on some operating systems and modern hard drives.

For example, SSD media not only do not need optimization, but even wear out from frequent use of this process.

Moreover, such disks will not work faster even after defragmentation.

In Windows 7 and later versions, the ability to defragment SSDs is disabled by default, and the standard utility runs automatically from time to time, which is quite enough to optimize the system.

Old versions of Windows require mandatory manual defragmentation. Although this problem can be solved by updating the system.

If this is impossible to do, you will have to use either built-in software or a third-party one - preferably one from the list of the most popular and free ones, since paid applications do not provide any advantage.

Defragmentation is the most important process that involves transferring data from several areas to one part of the disk. After defragmentation, system performance improves, writing and reading of any type of files speeds up. Windows operating systems already have a built-in defragmenter, but it has limited capabilities. That is why it is recommended to use third-party programs.

Every advanced user should have a good hard drive defragmenter program. Of course, sometimes it can be difficult to make a choice. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully familiarize yourself with the functionality of each utility, and then choose what suits you best.

Defragmenters for Windows

In the process of work, users create, copy and delete a huge number of files. After a few months, and sometimes even earlier, the OS slows down. To cope with the problem, it is recommended to pay attention to the following programs:

Defrag Pro;
SmartDefrag;

Whatever defragmenter you use, it is worth noting that it is not recommended for use on SSD drives. Otherwise, serious problems may arise.

Defrag Pro

This is the best program for high-quality hard drive defragmentation. Compared to many analogues, the utility is able to work with the file system:

FAT32;
NTFS;
NTFS5.

The program works great on Windows XP, as well as more modern versions of the OS. The application can replace a standard defragmenter. At the same time, Defrag Pro can be launched on a schedule and also work in the background.

It is important to note that the defragmentation utility has not only a client version, but also a server version. In addition to defragmenting hard drives, the program can work with the registry and the swap file.

SmartDefrag

The program was developed by IOBit. The software product allows you to quickly and, most importantly, efficiently optimize the system through defragmentation. It is noteworthy that the application is perfect for Windows 10 and earlier versions. Even an inexperienced user can manage the program.

It is important to note that the program for quick disk defragmentation can work in manual and automatic mode. You can change the way it works in the settings. It is best to use manual mode. In addition to the standard defragmentation procedure, the application is capable of:

Move data when the operating system boots. Thanks to the “Boot Time Defrag” technology, even those files that cannot be moved while the OS is running will be optimized;
It is possible to launch the utility on a schedule;
Disk analysis is performed only at certain moments. This reduces the load on the system.

It should be noted that it is difficult to find a better program than this one. In addition, the application is distributed in Russian.

Auslogics Disk Defrag

You can find free defragmenters on the Internet, but not all of them are as good as . The application optimizes and organizes files scattered on hard drives. After completion of the work, the speed of the system increases several times.

The program uses several algorithms, thanks to which disk defragmentation is faster than when running a utility built into the OS. After optimization is completed, a report on the work done will be provided.

The main features of the defragmenter include:

Organizing files and cluster structure;
Disk map showing the defragmentation process in real time;
Intuitive interface;
A clear reporting system. Thanks to this, you can understand how well the disk was defragmented;
Ability to optimize 2 or more hard drives simultaneously.

The program can be downloaded for free from the official website. For effectiveness, it is recommended to use the defragmenter 2 times a week.

Everyone knows that the best programs are those that fully cope with the assigned tasks. Defraggler, developed by Piriform Ltd., is just such a defragmenter. The utility is capable of working not only with the hard drive, but also with specific directories. This is the best defragmenter for Windows 7.

Unlike paid analogues, the application works several times faster and better. During the defragmentation process, the user has the opportunity to observe the transfer of data from one place to another. While the program defragments the disk, you can work on the computer (it’s better not to do this, of course). After finishing the work, a report about the changes will appear.

The main functions of the program include:

Creating an information map of fragmented files;
Setting up a schedule;
Supports all popular file systems, including exFAT;
Setting the interface language.

To see all the benefits of a defragmenter, it is recommended to test it yourself.

UltraDefrag is the best defragmenter. Despite the fact that the utility is small, it does an excellent job of moving even complex clusters. Hard drive defragmentation is not the only feature of UltraDefrag; the program can also work with the registry and the page file. In addition to the main interface, there is a console interface, thanks to which the utility is launched on a schedule.

The application works with file systems such as FAT, FAT32 and NTFS. After completion of the work, a report appears in the form of an HTML file. It should be noted that the program has a function such as turning off the PC after optimization is completed. Even beginners can handle the controls.

Conclusion

The user downloads the program that best copes with the assigned tasks. That is why it is recommended to consider third-party applications, since the defragmenter built into the OS does not cope well with transferring files. One of the best programs can be considered Auslogics Disk Defrag. Before downloading the utilities, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages.