Defragmentation of individual folders. Disk defragmentation: all typical questions from A to Z

When writing any files to HDD all information is distributed among clusters. If you decide to delete a particular file, the clusters with information will be erased, but instead there will be empty space. This disrupts the order of all files on the hard drive. As a result, when reading information, the hard drive spends much more time searching for the necessary clusters, since they are scattered throughout the media. This leads to a noticeable slowdown of the computer as a whole. This process is called fragmentation.

Defragmentation allows you to restore order in the internal space. This procedure organizes the location of all clusters on the media, moving them close to each other. After this, there is a noticeable increase in performance in resource-intensive applications and games. Let's figure out how to defragment a disk and in what cases it is necessary.

When should you defragment your drive?

If you notice that performance personal computer has fallen significantly, then in this case optimization is required. Long loading of programs, opening files, copying also hint that it’s time to optimize.

What programs are used to defragment a hard drive?

Operating systems XP, 7 and later have built-in software for defragmentation. If you want to perform the procedure one-time, you can use it. However, many note poor performance when using the standard utility. If you decide to use it, then follow these steps:

Let's look at how to defragment a disk using a built-in utility:

Let's look at an example of how to defragment a disk according to a schedule:

• The standard program allows you to set a regular schedule for defragmentation. In the previous window, click the button Set up a schedule....
• In the window that opens, select the frequency, day, time and partitions that need to be defragmented.
• Once the setup is complete, click OK.

Now the turned on computer will automatically launch the optimization procedure at the appointed time.

During this period of time, there may be a drop in performance as the system is busy with a more important process.

According to the instructions provided, defragmentation is carried out hard drive in Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10. Now let's figure out how to defragment a hard drive using a third-party program.

Optimization using defragmenters

There are quite a few programs for defragmenting the system disk. Among them there are both options for advanced users and for beginners. For example, consider a simple utility Defragger, the full free version of which can be downloaded from the official website of the developers. Download the distribution, install the software and run it. The program cleans disks in OS 7, 8 and 10. To do this, follow the instructions:

By using Defraggler not only defragmentation of the system or external drive. You can also get information about the performance of the media, a list of files, or optimize each folder separately.

How to defragment a disk using Auslogics Disk Defrag

Another utility that allows you to quickly or completely defragment your hard drive. The main program window is very similar to Defraggler, so there should be no problems using it.

Let's look at the startup process:

Now you know how to defragment a hard drive, including an SSD, using standard means Windows or through third party software.

Video on the topic

Good day!

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

The fact is that, in my opinion, Microsoft added it to Windows to have it, and its work is far from ideal (the 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 do it, I recommend reading this help article:

The best utilities for HDD defragmentation

❶

IObit Smart Defrag

A very powerful disk defragmenter, which, thanks to its unique algorithms, is capable of maximizing 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 won’t be distracted and waste time optimizing the system every time).

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

Advantages:

1. unique defragmentation algorithms (according to the developers, they are among the best in the World);
2. you can defragment individual folders or files;
3. game optimization;
4. it is possible to work according to a schedule;
5. high safety during operation (if suddenly the electricity goes out during defragmentation, everything will be fine with your data);
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 entirely in Russian (even the most “distant” menus with high-quality translation).

Defraggler

Defraggler - simple free program for quick assessment and defragmentation hard drives. The utility has everything you need in its arsenal: assessing the state of the disk, analysis, defragmentation of individual files (it’s convenient to optimize folders with games), etc.

By the way, the utility automatically determines the type of media (HDD, SSD), which is very convenient if you have several media connected - there will be no need to remember which one is “which” (note: since SSD drives are not recommended to be defragmented).

Peculiarities:

1. defragmentation of individual files (many similar programs allow you to optimize only the entire disk);
2. there is a portable version that does not require installation (the program can be copied to a flash drive/external HDD and used on any PC);
3. The utility supports all the latest Windows versions(including Windows 10);
4. supported file systems NTFS and FAT32;
5. automatic disk 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. The program is rightfully considered one of the best in the World - more than 11,000,000 users have recognized this product!

Peculiarities:

1. it is possible to defragment both individual files/folders and free space;
2. allows you to defragment system files Windows (which affects overall performance);
3. there is an opportunity to work in background, as invisible as possible to the user (i.e. 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 kit. The utility optimizes disks for their maximum performance systems. Disk SpeedUp can work automatically and according to a schedule, without distracting the user (by the way, you can set at what CPU load the defragmenter will turn off background operation. This option is not found in most other utilities of this kind).

Peculiarities:

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 PC load level (CPU and hard drive) 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 improvements to the program;
7. support for all versions of Windows 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 in both simple mode (for ordinary users), and provide complex and detailed settings for the advanced. MyDefrag supports various scripts; you can create or edit them yourself), it can work according to a pre-configured schedule, analyze HDDs and defragment not only busy place, but also free.

There are silent settings - they are suitable for those users who do not want to deal with all this multi-functionality 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 multifunctional utility for optimizing hard drives. Can work with many file systems (FAT, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5), Volume/Stripe Sets arrays, supports background mode, scheduled work, etc.

Peculiarities:

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 level 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 completely 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 defragmenter India. It is distinguished primarily by its high-speed operation (it uses its own unique PIOZR algorithm). As for defragmentation, Puran Defrag can defragment the entire disk, as well as individual folders and files (including setting a schedule, with the ability to limit work during CPU load with 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 forget about it). So to speak, once you configured Puran Defrag, your system will always be responsive and fast. Comfortable!

Peculiarities:

1. your own unique algorithm (high-speed and high-quality work);
2. separate priority for defragmenting system files;
3. command line support;
4. the ability to turn off the PC after completing the HDD optimization process;
5. it is possible to set a schedule for automatic and background defragmentation;
6. compressing directories to increase system boot speed;
7. you can defragment individual folders/files from the Explorer context menu;
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 special merci!

When any files get onto a hard drive or any other storage medium, fragments of data are not written sequentially, but chaotically. To work with them hard drive you have to spend a lot of time and resources. Defragmentation will help create a clear structure of the file system, consistently record the data of each program or individual large file to achieve the highest speed work hard disk and wear of its mechanical parts when reading information.

Smart Defrag is a very advanced file defragmenter presented by a famous developer. The program will help you quickly and easily put things in order on the hard drives of the user’s personal computer.

Files are written in fragments every second of operation operating system. Established funds Windows does not have functionality capable of monitoring the state of the file system in real time and correctly, consistently recording all data.

Auto-analysis will identify the current fragmentation of the file system and notify the user if the indicator exceeds the one set by him. It is performed independently for each individual storage medium.

Automatic disk defragmentation

Based on the data obtained during auto-analysis, the disk is auto-defragmented. Auto-defragmentation mode is enabled separately for each hard drive or removable storage device.

Auto-analysis and auto-defragmentation are performed only when the computer is idle to protect user data from damage. To run these features, you can select a period of computer inactivity ranging from 1 to 20 minutes. Defragmentation or analysis will not be performed if the user has left a resource-intensive task running at this time, for example, unpacking an archive - to specify the system load limit at which the optimizer automation is activated, you can specify a value in the range from 20 to 100%.

Scheduled defragmentation

This function will be useful to users who process a huge amount of information on their computer. In such cases, file system fragmentation regularly reaches very large values. It is possible to completely customize the frequency and timing of defragmentation, and it will occur in specified time without the participation of the user himself.

Defragmentation during system boot

Some files cannot be moved during defragmentation, because... are currently in use. Most often this concerns the system files of the operating system itself. Defragmentation at boot will allow them to be optimized before they are occupied by processes.
There is a function for setting the frequency of optimization - once, every day at the first boot, every boot, or even once a week.

In addition to non-movable files defined by the program itself, the user can add his own files.

The largest files in the system are defragmented - the hibernation file and the swap file, MFT and the system registry are defragmented.

Disk Cleanup

Why optimize temporary files, which in most cases do not carry any functional load, but only take up space? Smart Defrag will delete all temporary files - cache, cookies, recent documents and transitions, clear the clipboard, recycle bin and icon thumbnails. This will significantly reduce the time spent on defragmentation.

List of exceptions

If it is necessary for the program not to touch certain file or folder, they can be whitelisted before optimization, after which they will not be analyzed or defragmented. Again, adding large files will significantly reduce optimization time.

Auto update

The developer is constantly improving its product, so installing and working with the latest version of the program is the key to a high degree of its performance. Smart Defrag can exit new version install it yourself, without paying the user’s attention to it and saving his time.

Quiet operation

Automatic operation of Smart Defrag requires the display of some notifications about the progress of tasks. Many users know how inconvenient it is when, while watching a movie or important moment a notification appears in the corner of the screen in the game. The developer paid attention to this detail and added the “quiet mode” function. Smart Defrag monitors the appearance of full-screen applications on the monitor and does not show any notifications or make any sounds at this time.

In addition to full-screen applications, it is possible to add any programs at all while they are running - Smart Defrag does not interfere.

Defragmentation of individual files and folders

If the user does not need to optimize the entire disk, but only needs to work on a large file or heavy folder, then Smart Defrag will help here too.

Defragmentation of games

A separate feature worth highlighting is the optimization of the files of these games to achieve the best performance even in moments of real action. The technology is similar to the previous one - you just need to specify the main executable file in the game and wait a little.
In addition to games, you can also optimize large programs like Photoshop or Office.

Hard drive status information

For each disk, you can view its temperature, usage percentage, response time, read and write speeds, and attribute status.

Advantages:

1. The program has been completely translated into Russian, but sometimes there are typos, which, however, are not so noticeable against the background of the capabilities.

2. The modern and very clear interface allows even a beginner to understand it right away.

3. One of best solutions in its segment. This confirms its position in the top of the best defragmenters.

Flaws:

1. The main disadvantage is free version functionality is not fully disclosed. For example, in the free version you cannot perform auto-updates and activate automatic defragmentation.

2. When installing the program, there are checkboxes by default, which may result in the installation of unwanted software in the form of toolbars or browsers. Be careful when installing, uncheck all unnecessary boxes!

Conclusion

Before us is a modern and ergonomic tool for optimizing a personal computer. A trusted developer, frequent additions and bug fixes, high-quality work - this is what helps it confidently lead the list of the best defragmenters.

Devices for recording information need so-called optimization. First of all, this applies to the computer’s hard drive, which may contain great amount content. In Windows xp, the hard drive optimization procedure is based on 3 pillars: enabling dma mode, disk write caching and defragmentation.

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

Process description

Before considering how to do defragmentation, we will describe the process of this procedure itself. Then we’ll 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 launches it, it expects the result - speeding up the work with the computer and running everyday tasks.

On a hard drive, data is stored in small portions in sectors. A file or folder with files fits entirely within one sector. But over time, with the constant addition of new content to the HDD, these same objects shift relative to their original position in such a way that one part of a file or folder may be in the initial sector, and the remaining parts in other non-adjacent sectors. You end up with scattered pieces of content that take longer to access than usual.

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

This utility has and can be called 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 in working window commands to enter mmc, but I recommend doing it more wisely.
2. Namely: right-click (touchpad) on the “computer” icon and select the “computer management” option.
3. The control panel will open windows console, divided into two parts. In the one that is smaller and located to the left, we will finally see how to defragment.
4. Select the item “disk defragmentation” and click on it. A window will open in which you can perform this procedure on specific hard drive partitions.
5. Let's say we need to find out if there are additional fragments on system partition WITH. Select the icon of this section by clicking the mouse and clicking “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, click the “defragmentation” button and wait for the result. After completing the procedure, the application will display a report on the work performed. If some files could not be optimized, it may be missing free space on the section. Then, before defragmenting, free up additional space and then try again.

We use it for optimizationauslogics 5

The above set of programs was created to optimize Windows. The auslogics series 5 also includes a defragmenter. Here's how to defragment with it (assuming 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. Right-click to sequentially use the submenu list “Tools” - “disk maintenance/defragmentation”.
4. In the program window that opens, analyze or defragment partitions. The utility from auslogics has advanced capabilities when compared with the optimizer built into the system. Otherwise, its functionality is similar to the defrag.exe interface

Good afternoon!

Whether you want it or not, to make your computer work faster, you need to carry out preventive measures from time to time (clean it of temporary and junk files, defragment it).

In general, I can download that most users very rarely carry out defragmentation, and in general, do not pay due attention to it (either out of ignorance, or simply because of laziness)...

Meanwhile, by doing it regularly, you can not only speed up your computer a little, but also increase the service life of the disk! Since there are always a lot of questions regarding defragmentation, in this article I will try to collect all the main things that I myself encounter quite often. So...

FAQ. Questions about defragmentation: why do it, how often, etc.

1) What is defragmentation, what is the process? Why do it?

All files on your disk, while being written to it, are written sequentially in pieces onto its surface, often called clusters (many have probably already heard this word). So, while the hard drive is empty, file clusters can be nearby, but when there is more and more information, the scattering of these pieces of one file also increases.

Because of this, when accessing such a file, your disk has to spend more time reading the information. By the way, this scattering of pieces is called fragmentation.

Defragmentation is aimed precisely at collecting these pieces compactly in one place. As a result, the speed of your disk and, accordingly, the computer as a whole increases. If you have not defragmented for a long time, this may affect the performance of your PC, for example, when opening some files or folders, it will begin to “think” for a while...

2) How often should you defragment the disk?

Quite a common question, but it’s difficult to give a definite answer. It all depends on how often you use your computer, how it is used, what drives it uses, what file system it has. In Windows 7 (and higher), by the way, there is a good analyzer that will tell you what to do defragmentation, or not (there are also separate special utilities that can analyze and notify you in time that it’s time... But about such utilities - below in the article).

To do this, you need to go to the control panel, enter “defragmentation” in the search bar, and Windows will find the desired link (see screenshot below).

3) Should I defragment? solid state SSD disks?

No need! And even Windows itself (at least new Windows 10, in Windows 7 - this can be done) disables the analysis and defragmentation button for such disks.

The fact is that an SSD disk has a limited number of write cycles. This means that with each defragmentation, you reduce the life of your disk. Moreover, in SSD drives there are no mechanics, and after defragmenting, you will not notice any increase in work speed.

4) Do I need to defragment the disk if it has an NTFS file system?

In fact, there is an opinion that the NTFS file system practically does not need defragmentation. This is not entirely true, although it is partly true. It’s just that this file system is designed in such a way that defragmenting a hard drive under its control is required much less frequently.

In addition, the speed of operation does not drop as much due to strong fragmentation as if it were on FAT (FAT 32).

5) Is it necessary to clean the disk of junk files before defragmentation?

It is highly advisable to do this. Moreover, not only clean from “garbage” (temporary files, browser cache, etc.), but also from unnecessary files(movies, games, programs, etc.).

If you clean up the disk before defragmenting, then:

• speed up the process itself (after all, you will have to work with fewer files, which means the process will complete earlier);
• make Windows run faster.

6) How to defragment a disk?

It is advisable (but not necessary!) to install a separate special. a utility that will deal with this process (about such utilities below in the article). Firstly, it will do it faster than the built-in Windows utility, secondly, some utilities can perform defragmentation automatically, without distracting you from your work (for example, you started watching a movie, the utility, without disturbing you, defragmented the disk at this time).

But, in principle, even the standard one, built into Windows program, does defragmentation quite well (although it does not have some of the “goodies” that third-party developers have).

7) Should I defragment a disk other than the system disk (i.e., the one on which Windows is not installed)?

Good question! It all depends again on how you use this disk. If you only store movies and music on it, then there is not much point in defragmenting it.

It's another matter if you install, say, games on this disk - and during the game, some files are loaded. In this case, the game may even begin to slow down if the disk does not respond to it in time. As it should be, with this option, it is advisable to defragment such a disk!

How to defragment a disk - step by step steps

By the way, there are universal programs (I would call them “harvesters”) that can carry out complex actions to clean your PC of junk, remove erroneous registry entries, configure your Windows OS and perform defragmentation (for maximum speed!).

1) Cleaning the disk from garbage

For example, I can recommend CCleaner. Firstly, it is free, and secondly, it is very easy to use and there is nothing superfluous in it. All that is required from the user is to click the analyze button, and then clean the disk from the found garbage (screen below).

2) Removing unnecessary files and programs

At worst, you can use the standard utility built into Windows (to open it, use the control panel, see the screenshot below).

3) Start defragmentation

Let's consider running the disk defragmenter built into Windows (since it eats me by default for everyone who has Windows).

First you need to open the Control Panel, then the System and Security section. Next, next to the “Administration” tab there will be a link “Defragmentation and optimization of your disks” - click on it (see screenshot below).

An alternative way to run defragmentation in Windows

1. Open “My Computer” (or “This Computer”).

3. Then in the disk properties, open the “Service” section.

4. In the service section, click the “Optimize disk” button (everything is illustrated in the screenshot below).

Important! The defragmentation process can take quite a long time (depending on the size of your disk and the degree of fragmentation). At this time, it is better not to touch the computer, not to run resource-intensive tasks: games, video encoding, etc.

The best programs and utilities for disk defragmentation

Note! This subsection of the article will not reveal to you all the capabilities of the programs presented here. Here I will focus on the most interesting and convenient utilities (in my opinion) and describe their main differences, why I chose them and why I recommend trying them...

1) Defraggler

A simple, free, fast and convenient disk defragmenter. The program supports all new versions of Windows (32/64 bit), can work both with entire disk partitions and with individual files, supports all popular file systems (including NTFS and FAT 32).

By the way, regarding defragmentation of individual files - this is, in general, a unique thing! Not many programs can allow you to defragment something specific...

2) Ashampoo Magical Defrag

To be honest, I like products from Ashampoo- and this utility is no exception. Its main difference from similar ones of its kind is that it can defragment a disk in the background (when the computer is not busy with resource-intensive tasks, which means that the program is running and will not hamper or interfere with the user in any way).

What is called - once installed and forgotten this problem! In general, I recommend paying attention to it to everyone who is tired of remembering defragmentation and doing it manually...

3) Auslogics Disk Defrag

This program can move system files (which need to be the fastest) to the fastest part of the disk, thereby speeding up your Windows operating system somewhat. In addition, this program is free (for ordinary home use) and it can be configured to run automatically during PC downtime (i.e., similar to the previous utility).

I also want to note that the program allows you to defragment not only a specific disk, but also individual files and folders on it.

The program is supported by all new Windows OS: 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).

This is one of the fastest disk defragmenters! Moreover, this does not affect the quality of defragmentation. Apparently, the program developers managed to find some unique algorithms. In addition, the utility is completely free for home use.

It is also worth noting that the program treats data very carefully, even if during defragmentation some system error occurs, a power outage or something else... - then nothing should happen to your files, they will still be read and opened . The only thing is that you will have to start the defragmentation process again.

The utility also provides two operating modes: automatic (very convenient - set it up once and forget it) and manual.

It is also worth noting that the program is optimized to work on Windows 7, 8, 10. I recommend it for use!