Choice of Disk Defragmenters

[O.J. Newman]

Hello:

How good is the disk defragmenter from Executive Software that comes bundled
as part of Win XP?

What are the advantages to switching to another defragmenter?

What other defragmenters are recommended for use with Win XP?

Thanks,
O.J.

 

[TaurArian]

See comments inline.


====================================
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
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How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
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| Hello:
|
| How good is the disk defragmenter from Executive Software that comes bundled
| as part of Win XP?

Question 1 - it does it's job.
Disk Defragmenter MMC is based on the full retail version of Executive Software Diskeeper.
The version that is included with Windows XP and later provides limited functionality in
maintaining disk performance by defragmenting volumes that use the FAT, FAT32, or NTFS
file system.
see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848




| What are the advantages to switching to another defragmenter?

Question 2 - Can do more. No limitations.


|
| What other defragmenters are recommended for use with Win XP?

Question 3 - what I recommend and have used. The choice is always with the user, do you
want more or are you happy with what you have. What you use is personal preference, these
three are all excellent.

Diskeeper for enhancing file system performance - easy to use
http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp

Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2008 Suite - value for money etc
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/hdm-personal/
Raxco - PerfectDisk - Defragmentation - easy to use
http://www.raxco.com/

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| Thanks,
| O.J.
|
|

 

[xxx_]

Many people recommend JKDefrag but I have not tried it so I don't know how
good is that.

 

[doodle]

It works fine except that it does not have the automatic or backgroun
defrag options that the paid version offers.

The paid tools offer advanced features like Invisitasking,defrag wit
much lesser free space etc besides a faster defrag. you could switch t
another tool if you dont want to manually check and run the task, as th
automatic set it and forget it options enable background defrag eve
while you use the PC.

I've been using Diskeeper and think its pretty good.

 

[Gerry]

The Disk Defragmenter, which comes with Windows XP, does a perfectly
adequate job.

The advantages of third party Disk Defragmenters are marginal.

The Microsoft Defragmenter needs 15 % free disk space to operate
effectively. There are ways round the problem but it is possible to get
a third party defragmenter requiring negligible free space. The
Microsoft Defragmenter does not defragment certain files notably the
pagefile, the MFT table, hyberfil.sys and free disk space. Others claim
to do so mainly because they work during the boot process. Other than
consolidating free disk space they on a full drive they are only
margininally beneficial, except that defragmenting the pagefile is a
complete waste of time.

Unless you have money to burn buying a third party Disk Defagmenter is
unnecessary.

Microsoft also provide a single file Defragmenter Contig (freeware)
which can be useful at times:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/bb897428.aspx

Another freeware offering from Microcrosoft is PageDefrag, which can be
used on a non-contiguous pagefile:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/bb897426.aspx



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Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
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