decapitator

the vista defrag takes days to complete, so i use auslogics disk defrag.

dM@n

I have always thought that the Vista defragger wasn't good, so I use Defraggler (made by the creators of CCleaner).

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bigal1542

Also, if I use a different defragger than the Windows Vista one, should I disable the Windows one so it doesn't undo what the other did? Or is it fine to just leave it on.

And to anyone using the IO bit one, what setting is the best: normal, fast, or deep?

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My advice... Try shooting back.

Le_Loup

I'm keepin tabs on this convo, I like it.

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Projectil3

I went from Default Windows XP Defragmentation Utility to O&O Defrag.
I was under the impression that O&O was like amazing because it was so fast & I had seem to notice a difference.

However, I had to switch to PerfectDisk and I must say, I'm not upset I did. I'm not saying my system is faster, I'm saying I can notice a difference.

Moreover, I'd like to get to the bottom of this as I would like to know which Defragger to settle down with.

I'm ready to make part with PerfectDisk as it is SO SLOW... so yeah, it's sall good

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Bennylava

Same here, but i don't think we will be able to. There are just too many of them, and it would seem from all the varying opinions that no one is really sure if they even help. I mean i can see it helping if you did it like once a year or something...

TwoCables

I don't know the answers to anything other than how I use the program, and I don't even know if I'm using it the best way or not. However, if you use the program, then you'll see an Options button. I have all of those boxes unchecked because I like my system to be as streamlined as possible. You'll also see an Auto Defrag option. It defrags the HDD when the system is idle, so it's always running in the background. But I have Auto Defrag disabled for the same reason about keeping my system streamlined.

Another reason I have Auto Defrag disabled is because I like to defrag every single day since it is so extremely fast. I mean, the first time I used it, I decided to use the Deep Optimize feature because it says "Defragments and intelligently organizes drive data for maximum program performance and long-lasting data contiguity. Please note that this process may need a long time." I mean, I compared that to what Defrag Only and Fast Optimize says, and I was like "lol why use the ther two? Besides, I have the time." But, to my surprise, it only took about 5 minutes. But it's worth mentioning that it only has 12.7GB to do. But still, I expected it to take like an hour or something!

So, I ran it again the next time I was about to shut down the computer, and it only took about 30 seconds (or maybe less, I can't remember. It was just incredibly fast). After that, I decided there was no way I was ever going to use the Defrag Only and Fast Optimize when the Deep Optimize is so extremely fast.

So, I've been doing the Deep Optimize every single day for about the past 3 weeks, and it always takes just a few seconds. Every so often it'll take 5 minutes again, but that seems rare. But I like doing it this way because I feel like I'm in total control of it vs. having it run in the background.

That's how I use it, but I don't know whether or not it's the best way.
It's my guess that it's ok to leave the Vista defragger enabled, however, I try to keep my system as streamlined as possible, so I'd be the kind of person who disables it. hehe

However, I do think it's important for me to point out that there was ONE TIME when I decided to set it to Deep Optimize both of my HDD's at the same time, and, for the first time, there was a file on C: that could not be defragmented. So, I Deep Optimized C: all by itself, and it defragmented that file. So, thanks to this experience, I never do both HDD's at the same time: I always do them individually. But hey, I only have a total of 40.7 GB, so it's not a big deal.
Here are the descriptions for each:

• Defrag Only: Defragments only fragmented files without file placement optimization.
• Fast Optimize: Defragments and fast organizes drive data to eliminate blank space for optimal disk performance.
• Deep Optimize: Defragments and intelligently organizes drive data for maximum program performance and long-lasting data contiguity. Please note that this process may need a long time.

It is my guess that, because many people have hundreds of gigabytes worth of data on their HDD's, the Deep Optimize would indeed take quite a long time. So because of this, I think I see why they have the Fast Optimize feature. However, the Deep Optimize one only takes a couple of minutes for me because it only has to do 12.7 GB on C: and then 28 GB on D:.

So for me, Deep Optimize is the most logical choice every single time. But if I had a few hundred gigabytes of data or more, then I'd probably either go with the Fast Optimize, or the Defrag Only - depending on how fast it is. And because Smart Defrag is optimized for huge HDD's (unlike my tiny HDD's), it's extremely fast, efficient, and effective.

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DuckieHo

Has anyone proven that defragging helps performance?

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TwoCables

DuckieHo,

Ever since I've been using Smart Defrag's Deep Optimize every single day, certain things are indeed faster. Just as an example, Microsoft Outlook 2002 now opens almost as fast as it does from memory when opening it for the first time after a reboot. But before using Smart Defrag, it definitely took longer; approximately twice as long. This was almost the first thing I noticed. Firefox also opens quicker as well. Boot time feels faster, however, I didn't think to do a Before and After comparison.

As I said earlier, in general, my system feels a little snappier, or more responsive. This is not my imagination. I use my computer every single day for several hours each day. I basically live on my computer. So when something's different, I can tell; even if it's a very subtle difference. And thanks to Smart Defrag, using my computer is now just a little bit more enjoyable.

I'm sorry that I don't have benchmarks to prove it. As I said already, I'm not a benchmarking kind of person yet, so it's not something I think about every week. But try to trust me: it definitely feels like Smart Defrag does a much better job than the defragger in Windows XP. Not only that, but it's several times faster.

But, has anyone ever proven that it doesn't help performance? I mean, has anyone ever proven that cleaning/organizing your home is a waste of time?

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dennyb

I don't know whether or not defragging improves performance,but it sure seems like a good idea to do so. Even Microsoft thinks so as they have a tool for this purpose. I am now using Smart Defrag, and the first time for "deep optimize" did take a while. Tried it 1 day later and it took maybe a minute or less. I now have it set to"run when idle". Will have to see how things go,but am thinking it is a good housekeeping tool.
Thanks Two Cables