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Defragmentation

WarHorse47

WarHorse47

SOH-CM-2024
I'm looking for some answers or possibly a solution regarding the defragmentation of my hard drive.

I have a 1 Tb HD which is less than 2 years old and I'm running Win 8.1. Last year I noticed that the drive was OK with 1% fragmented. This morning its now 2% fragmentation, and will not get to 0% fragmentation.

Unfortunately, I cannot figure out which files are causing the fragmentation. In the old days (from what I recall) I had software that would identify what is causing the fragmentation - such as the swap file - and could take steps to defrag it. The standard MS defrag program does not do that. So, I'm not sure if its something to be concerned about or if I should be looking around for a more robust program to manage the HD.

This latest bump in fragmentation is a mystery to me as I have not added any new software or files except for doing the weekly Windows Update yesterday (24 updates, ugh).

Any suggestions or recommendations or words of caution. I'm stumped at the moment.

Thanks in advance.
 
As long as you're not seeing any slow-downs, I'd go with IIABDFI - If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It. Otherwise, check CNET for defrag software - they usually have some pretty good choices.
 
I use Defragler by Piriform same people who do CCcleaner. As for the 1 or 2% that won't defrag it could be a page file if you use one.
 
gradyhappyg said:
As for the 1 or 2% that won't defrag it could be a page file if you use one.
Click to expand...
That is part of the issue with the MS defrag, not knowing what file(s) are fragmented. Today's defrag programs don't seem to tell you a whole lot.

Has anyone looked at UltimateDefrag?
 

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Most add/delete activity for me is in FSX, operating system should be constant.
I use the freeware Razer Game Booster, it shuts down background processes, and you can defrag the FSX folder by itself saving a good chunk of time over doing the whole drive.

I don't think 1 or 2 % fragmented is anything to be concerned about.

Turned off indexing for the drive and use search companion for the rare times I want to search for something.
Turned off last time accessed file stamp updating.

The above 2 changes outweigh the benefits of defragging, I defrag only when the percent gets into double digits.
 
WarHorse47 said:
Today's defrag programs don't seem to tell you a whole lot.

Has anyone looked at UltimateDefrag?
Click to expand...

I agree... today's defrag programs offer scant info about the fragmented state. UltimateDefrag is an exception. Been using it for more than 5 years and it is a critical tool in my maintenance kit. Takes time to learn, but once you do that you can easily monitor and defrag your drives just the way you want. It's very flexible, easy to set-up (once you learn how), and the settings are true once-config-and-go.

HTH

Greg
 
I use SmartDefrag the latest version 'cause the update window was relentless and I finally caved. I know that older versions (1,2) did list out files it couldn't defrag which was helpful. More than one of those, when I checked into it, gave the notice that the file was too large for the recycle bin and did I want to delete it anyway, so maybe files that are too big can't be digested.
 
It's the little files (<2 mb) that cause problems if you have a lot of them being saved all daylong (ie: security camera motion detection '*.wmv' files of 5 second duration)). Then when you go to save a 10 mb or larger file, the system has to 'step over' those small files and saves the 10 mb (or 999 mb) file 'in pieces' of 4 kb) so it's already fragmented. I save to 'C:\Fraps\videos' (same drive as security camera clips).

I have to defrag before I make a video as the FRAPS '*.avi' video clips (of 1 to 4 Gb) will be so fragmented that Windows Movie Maker won't 'Save to my Computer' (has difficulty finding the 'pieces' and quits I guess). I make a video and save as a 'Project' ok. Otherwise it won't save. Defrag takes hours sometimes but it's the only way. I don't use '3rd party' software. Maybe I should.
Chuck B
 
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