Devices for recording information need so-called optimization. First of all, it concerns hard disk a computer that can contain a huge amount of content. In windows xp, the procedure for optimizing the hard drive is based on 3 whales: enabling dma mode, caching disk writes and defragmentation.

If the first two parameters are already configured in the system by default, then the last one always raises the question of how to defragment. Since it is she who requires periodic intervention from the user.

Process description

Before considering how to do defragmentation, let's describe the process of this procedure itself. Then we will look at the utilities built into xp and the auslogics software package, which also has a separate defragmenter application.

So, the above procedure has the following features. When the user starts, he assumes the result - acceleration of working with the computer and starting everyday tasks.

On the hard disk, data are recorded in small portions by sectors. The entire file or folder with files fits within one sector. But over time, with the constant addition of new content to the HDD, these very objects are displaced relative to the primary position in such a way that one part of a file or folder may be in the initial sector, and the rest in other non-contiguous sectors. This creates scattered pieces of content that take longer than usual to access.

Thus, to speed up reading data from disk and, therefore, reduce the time to open an application or document, you need to combine these fragments. We will now look at how to do it using the example of a standard windows xp utility - the defrag.exe program

This utility has and you can call it through the working system management console - MMC. There are two ways to launch this console.

1. In the "start" menu, open the "run" item, then enter mmc into the working command window, but I recommend doing it more wisely.
2. Namely: right-click (touchpad) on the "computer" icon and select the "computer control" option.
3. The windows management console will open, split into two parts. In the one that is smaller and located to the left, we will finally see how to do defragmentation.
4. Select the item "disk defragmentation" and click on it. A window will open in which you can perform this procedure on specific partitions of the hard drive.
5. Suppose we need to find out if there are additional fragments on the system partition FROM... Select the icon of this section with a mouse click and press "disk analysis". The program will analyze the current state of the partition and display a detailed summary of whether defragmentation is needed for the selected volume.
6. If the disk needs processing, press the "defragmentation" button and wait for the result. After completing the procedure, the application will display a report on the work done. If some files could not be optimized, it is possible that there is not enough free space on the partition. Then, before defragmenting, free up additional space and then try again.

We use for optimizationauslogics 5

The above set of programs is designed for windows optimization... Also included in the auslogics series 5 is a defragmenter. Here's how to defragment using it (it is assumed that this complex is already installed):

1. Launch the application using a shortcut on the windows desktop.
2. Click on the blue ball icon in the tray (near the clock).
3. With the right mouse button, sequentially use the list of submenu "Tools" - "Disk maintenance / defragmentation".
4. In the program window that opens, analyze or defragment the partitions. The utility from auslogics has advanced features when compared to the built-in system optimizer. Otherwise, its functionality is similar to the defrag.exe interface.

Good day!

Despite the fact that Windows has a built-in disk defragmenter, there are hundreds (if not more) analogue programs (doing it ten times better!).

The fact is that, in my opinion, Microsoft added it to Windows so that it was, and its work is far from ideal (work algorithms are imperfect, there is no detailed schedule and settings, you cannot manually specify specific folders and files, etc.) ...

Addition!

If you don't know what defragmentation is and how to perform it, I recommend that you check out this help article:

Best utilities for defragmenting HDD

❶

IObit Smart Defrag

A very powerful disk defragmenter that, thanks to its unique algorithms, is able to maximize the performance of your disk subsystem!

The program not only defragments the files themselves, but also distributes them on the disk in a special way: according to how often they are used. All operations can be configured to be performed in automatic mode(which means you will not be distracted and waste time on optimizing the system every time).

Smart Defrag is the main window of the program: there are options for cleaning the disk, optimizing games, etc.

Advantages:

1. unique defragmentation algorithms (according to the assurances of the developers - one of the best in the world);
2. you can defragment individual folders or files;
3. optimization of games;
4. there is an opportunity to work on a schedule;
5. high safety at work (if suddenly during defragmentation the electricity goes out - with your data everything will be in order);
6. there is an option to defragment the disk before booting the system;
7. thoughtful and user-friendly interface;
8. the utility is free, and completely in Russian (even the most "distant" menus with high-quality translation).

Defraggler

Defraggler is a simple free program for quick assessment and defragmentation hard drives... The utility's arsenal contains everything you need: assessing the state of the disk, analyzing, defragmenting individual files (it is convenient to optimize folders with games), etc.

By the way, the utility automatically detects the type of media (HDD, SSD), which is very convenient if you have several media connected - you will not need to remember which one is "which" (note: since it is not recommended to defragment SSD drives).

Features:

1. defragmentation of individual files (many similar programs allow you to optimize only the entire disk as a whole);
2. there is a portable version that does not need to be installed (the program can be copied to a USB flash drive / external HDD and used on any PC);
3. the utility supports all the most modern versions of Windows (including Windows 10);
4. file-based NTFS systems and FAT32;
5. automatic disc type detection;
6. after analysis, the utility shows a list of fragmented files (convenient when you do not want to defragment the entire disk).

Auslogics Disk Defrag

This defragmenter differs from others in its compactness and high speed of work. The program is rightfully considered one of the best in the world - more than 11 million users have recognized this product!

Features:

1. it is possible to defragment both individual files / folders and free space;
2. allows you to defragment system Windows files(which affects performance in general);
3. it is possible to work in the background, as invisible to the user as possible (so your system will always be in optimal condition);
4. the program is free for home users;
5. supported by all popular OS Windows 7/8/10 (32, 64 bits).

Disk SpeedUp

This utility is from the famous Glary Soft PC optimization suite. The utility optimizes disks for their maximum system performance. Disk SpeedUp can work in automatic mode and on a schedule without distracting the user (by the way, you can set at what CPU load - disable the background defragmenter. There is no such option in most other utilities of this kind).

Features:

1. automatic mode and work according to a predetermined schedule;
2. there are options to turn off the PC after defragmentation is complete;
3. setting the load level of the PC (CPU and hard disk) to disable background defragmentation;
4. support for all the most popular file systems: FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5, NTFS EFS;
5. the program has pre-configured templates for work (suitable in most cases);
6. regular updates and revision of the program;
7. support of all Windows versions 7/8/10.

MyDefrag (old name: JkDefrag)

Despite the fact that this program was created not by any company, but by a single programmer, it is rightfully considered a leader in its segment.

Judge for yourself: it can work both in a simple mode (for ordinary users) and provide complex and detailed settings for advanced users. MyDefrag supports various scripts, they can be created or edited independently), can work according to a pre-configured schedule, analyze HDD and defragment not only the occupied space, but also the free one.

There are default settings - they are suitable for those users who do not want to deal with all this multifunctionality of the utility. By the way, it works in all versions of Windows (XP / 7/8/10), fully supports the Russian language.

O&O Defrag

A very powerful and feature-rich utility for optimizing hard drives. It can work with many file systems (FAT, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5), arrays of Volume / Stripe Sets, supports background mode, work on a schedule, etc.

Features:

1. there are 5 defragmentation modes: STEALTH (note: invisible in the background), SPACE (note: free space), COMPLETE / Name, COMPLETE / Date and COMPLETE / Access;
2. there is an option to start defragmentation when a certain percentage of fragmentation is reached;
3. the ability to defragment system files that affect the performance of your system (swap file, registry, MFT, etc.);
4. availability of a schedule;
5. pleasant and intuitive interface (even very novice users can figure it out);
6. support for all file Windows systems: FAT, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5;
7. support for Russian and all modern OS Windows 7/8/10.

Puran defrag

Free India defragmenter. It is distinguished primarily by its high-speed operation (it uses its own unique algorithm PIOZR). With regard to defragmentation, Puran Defrag can defragment both the entire disk completely and individual folders and files (including setting a schedule, with the ability to restrict work during CPU load by extraneous tasks, prioritizing system files).

Puran Defrag - main program window

It will save those users who have little time to maintain the system (or for those who constantly forgets about it). So to speak, once you have configured Puran Defrag - and your system will always be responsive and fast. Conveniently!

Features:

1. your own unique algorithm (high-speed and high-quality work);
2. separate priority for defragmentation of system files;
3. command line support;
4. the ability to turn off the PC after the completion of the HDD optimization process;
5. it is possible to set a schedule for automatic and background defragmentation;
6. compression of directories in order to increase the speed of loading the system;
7. it is possible to defragment individual folders / files from context menu conductor;
8. support for all popular versions of Windows XP / 7/8/10 (32 and 64 bits).

That's all.

For additions on the topic - a separate merci!

Disk defragmentation allows you to optimize the operation of the file system, which has a positive effect on the performance of your computer. Most Windows users prefer to defragment using the standard utility built into the operating system. However, the standard Windows defragmenter does not always cope with its task 100%, and then third-party programs come to the rescue, such as, for example, Auslogics Disk Defrag.

Benefits of Auslogics Disk Defrag

The Auslogics Disk Defrag utility is an excellent defragmentation tool and has several powerful benefits.

• The program conducts a deep and thorough defragmentation of the logical structure of the file system, optimizes the hard drive.
• Auslogics Disk Defrag has a built-in scheduler that allows the program to start and run automatically.
• The program can work with disks of any size without any restrictions.
• Auslogics Disk Defrag has the ability to selectively defragment individual folders or even files on your hard drive.
• In addition to defragmentation itself, Auslogics Disk Defrag can also optimize and consolidate free disk space.

Download and install

Auslogics Disk Defrag is absolutely free program, you can download it on the official website of the developer, which is located at: Auslogics.com

At the end of the installation process, the installer will offer to install the Hamster Free ZIP Archiver as well, so if you do not need an archiver, do not forget to uncheck the corresponding box.

Working with Disk Defrag

Auslogics Disk Defrag has an English-language interface, but since there are not so many functions in this utility, it will not be difficult to understand it. In the upper part of the program window there is a list of logical partitions of the computer, indicating the size, free space and type of file system. Having checked the necessary disks, you should select the desired action from the menu located just below: analysis, defragmentation, defragmentation and optimization, or quick defragmentation. Also, if you wish, you can check the box for the function of shutting down the computer after the defragmentation process is finished (it can be especially useful if you decide to defragment it late in the evening).

This will be followed by the execution of the specified task. By the way, before defragmenting disks, it is always advisable to perform an analysis first - the program will penetrate the disk and draw up a file system map indicating the level of file fragmentation. Then you can decide whether it's time to defragment or not. The defragmentation process itself looks like this:

Auslogics Disk Defrag Settings

To enter the settings of the Auslogics Disk Defrag program, you need to open the menu Settings and go to item Programm settings.

General settings of the Auslogics Disk Defrag utility are located in the section General... Here you can specify whether to minimize the program to the system tray, whether to start together with the operating system, you can also add the Disk Defrag item to the Windows context menu.

Several Yet useful options can be found in the section Algorithms... Here you can configure automatic deletion temporary files (delete temporary files before defragmenting), skip fragments larger than, move system files to the beginning of the disk, and defragment in VSS-compatible mode (defragment in VSS compatible mode).

Defragmentation on a schedule

The Auslogics Disk Defrag program allows defragmentation not only manually, but also automatically, on a schedule. To set up an automatic defragmenter schedule, go to the menu Settings and go to item Sheduler.

Check the box on the item Defragment automatically and select the time when defragmentation will run:

• When PC is idle.
• Daily.
• Weekly.
• Monthly.

You should also specify which partitions of the disk should be defragmented on a schedule, whether to defragment when the laptop is running on battery power, and whether to generate a report on the defragmentation performed.

Defragment individual files and folders

If you want to defragment only some folders and files on your computer disk, then you need to go to the menu Action, go to section Advanced and select the desired action: Defrag file (defragment the file) or Defrag folder (defragment the folder). Then, in the window that opens, specify the location of the folder or file and click OK.

This is a process during which the location of files on disk is optimized. This optimization allows you to increase the speed of working with files, and therefore improve the performance of your computer as a whole. In this article, we will talk about how to defragment a disk using the tools built into Windows, as well as using strony programs.

Defragmentation tips:

• Do not defragment drives. For SSD drives defragmentation is completely useless. It only reduces the resource SSD work disk, while it does not give any gain in operating speed.
• Free disk space is required to perform defragmentation. The more free space, the faster and better the disk defragmentation will be performed. The minimum amount of available space is 15 percent of the total disk space.
• If you want to get stable high speed work, then use scheduled defragmentation.
• Try not to use the disk that you are defragmenting.

How to defragment a disk using Windows

The Windows operating system has a built-in mechanism for defragmenting disks. To use it, open "My Computer" and call the properties of the section that you want to fragment.

In the window that opens, go to the "Service" tab and click on the "Run defragmentation" button.

After that, the "Disk Defragmenter" window will open in front of you. Here you need to select the disk that you want to fragment and click on the "Analyze disk" button.

After the analysis of the selected disk is completed, you will see the value of the percentage of fragmented data on the disk. If this percentage is significant, then you need to defragment. For example, I analyzed disk "E" and the percentage of fragmented data on it is zero. You do not need to defragment this disk. But after analyzing the "C" drive, it turned out that it is fragmented by 36 percent, which means it needs to be defragmented.

In order to defragment the "C" drive, select it in the list of drives and click on the "Disk Defragmenter" button.

After that, the defragmentation process will begin. The time it takes to defragment a disk depends on the amount of defragmented data and the speed of the disk itself. This usually takes at least a few hours.

In addition to manually launching defragmentation, you can use scheduled launch. To do this, in the Disk Defragmenter window, click the Enable Schedule button.

After that, you will see a small window "Disk Defragmenter: Changing the Schedule". Here you need to enable the function "Run on schedule" and configure the schedule.

Defragmentation can be performed daily, weekly, and monthly. After setting up the schedule, close all windows by clicking on the "OK" button.

Defragmenting a disk using third-party programs

You can also defragment your disk using third-party programs... Now there are many high-quality ones. Of the free, the most popular are Piriform Defragger, Auslogics Disk Defrag, MyDefrag, IObit Smart Defrag. There are much more paid programs, the most famous of them are: O&O Defrag, Ashampoo Magical Defrag, Raxco PerfectDisk, Auslogics Disk Defrag Professional.

For example, consider the process of defragmenting a disk using the free program Auslogics Disk Defrag Free.

After starting the program, check the boxes against the disks you want to defragment and start analyzing them.

After analysis, the program showed that the C drive was 46 percent fragmented. In order to defragment this disk, set the checkbox and click on the "Defrag" button.

This is all that needs to be done, it remains only to wait for the end of the defragmentation process.

Like a built-in defragmentation utility, Auslogics Disk Defrag Free allows you to defragment your disks on a schedule. To do this, open the "Setings" menu and select the "Scheduler" item.

This will open a window with a defragmentation schedule. Here you need to enable the "Defragment automaticaly" function, select the defragmentation time and disks.

After that, Auslogics Disk Defrag Free will defragment automatically at the specified time.

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

In other words, defragmenting makes reading a file faster because the hard drive does not have to move the read head to do so. The 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. In the case of 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 of the Windows operating systems are equipped with own program for defragmenting hard drives, the use of third-party free software is fully justified, as it allows you to perform this process better and faster.

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

Screenshot of Defraggler v2.20.989 on Windows 8

One of the best free software for defragmentation. Can be as in the version for installation on HDD and in portable version... To reduce the operating time, you can set optimization not only for the entire disk, but also for individual folders.

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

The Piriform company that released the program 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 Windows server families of operating systems.

Screenshot of Smart program Defrag version 5 on Windows

The freeware is great for the purpose of automatically optimizing files on a schedule. Automatic defragmentation settings even in free version are in many ways superior to many competitors.

The program allows you to start the movement of hard disk blocks during computer boot, thus gaining access to system or fixed blocks during normal Windows work files.

In addition, Smart Defrag allows you to eliminate separate files or disk folders from the defragmentation process, replace the standard application of the Windows operating system, optimize only Windows Metro interface applications, skip files that have one size or another.

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

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

Screenshot of Auslogics Disk Defrag version 6 on Windows 7

Auslogic's Disk Defragmenter comes in two flavors: an installation version and a portable version for distribution on removable media.

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

Like many other software, Auslogics Disk Defrag allows you to start the process at boot time. 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 checks can be run, temporary files can be deleted before starting defragmentation.

The Auslogics Disk Defrag program, even in its free version, works on almost all custom operating systems - 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 in such a way that they are located as much as possible on the outer areas of 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 of time and, having read more data, ensures high speed of the computer.

Like many other programs on this list, Puran Defrag can defragment files and directories by right-clicking the context menu in the Explorer window. It can remove various temporary data before optimization to speed up the optimization process, it can work at boot time to access those files that are not normally available.

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

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

Along with the indisputable 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 it can run Windows 10, 8, 7 and earlier.

Screenshot of Disk Speedup by © Glarysoft.com

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

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

In addition, large, rarely used files, files of certain formats (for example, video, graphics, archives, etc.) can be sent to the end of the disc, thus leaving small and frequently used data at the beginning of the disc. Thus, you can expect that the HDD head will not have to jump too often from one area of ​​the disk to another in its normal operation, which will lead to an increase in the speed 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 shutdown the computer when the process is completed on one or more disks, and run according to a set schedule.

Note: Disk Speedup tries to install some other programs of the manufacturer, but this behavior can be suppressed during installation by simply unchecking the corresponding checkboxes in the installer dialog.

The program is declared to work on computers running Windows 8, 7, Vista and others, including server computers. Independent testers tested the software on a computer running Windows 10 - everything worked without any complaints.

Free software from ToolWiz Software. It is characterized by a very fast installation process on a computer, a minimal interface. This software is said to be able to optimize the hard drive 10 times faster than standard remedy Windows. Knows how to move archives to a special slow part of the hard disk, providing small system files fast access.

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

While it is sometimes good to have a lightweight and simple tool for performing a function without being overwhelmed by unnecessary buttons or settings, sometimes they are very necessary. So Toolwiz Smart Defrag is designed in such a way that almost nothing can be configured in it. If the priority is to find the most easy-to-use, but effective and quick program- this is one of the best options.

Works under Windows 8 and below.

WinUtilities DiskDefrag is not a fully specialized program. This is an optimization system that includes, among other things, a module for disk defragmentation. It is, however, a fairly simple and highly customizable tool.

All the usual features for this class of free programs are also present here: work on a schedule, the ability to run while the system is idle, the ability to manage the computer's power.

In the settings, you can set more than 10 behaviors: only analysis, analysis and moving rarely used files to the end of the disk, etc. In addition, you can control the estimated optimization time, 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 (SpaceHogs area), where the program tries to place large and rarely used objects. Therefore, in manual mode, you can flexibly configure the computer so that it works as quickly as possible.

In the settings, you can set the need for automatic shutdown of the computer upon completion of the defragmentation process.

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

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

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

In addition to being able to run a scheduled scan and remediation on the desired day of the week, O&O Defrag Free Edition can be programmed to start when the screen saver starts.

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

Some of the right opportunities are absent in the free version and are present only in the paid version. Therefore, it may happen that by turning on any option, the user will receive a message that in order to receive 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, there are sometimes reports 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 a variant of more complex actions, so regardless of user experience, the program can be used equally effectively.

Most of the functions are similar to other software, at the same time, if you need to defragment while booting your computer, 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, roaming version. In addition, there is a variant of the program for 32-bit systems and a variant of the Windows defragmentation program for 64-bit Windows systems.

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

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

The program can execute pre-created scripts containing defragmentation tasks. The scripts can be changed (created and edited) by the user himself. At the same time, during installation, the program already contains a number of standard scripts. So she knows how to work on a schedule, analyze a hard drive, isolate 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 everyone operating systems Windows.