Defrag

Windows 10
I run defrag yet is says 6% not zero as it always used to for years.
Please suggest a fix.
TY

 

If your HDD free space is above 25%, don't worry, check again in a few weeks.

 

It is 412 out of 465 and thank you I will note to check. What causes that if I may ask?

 

With that % of free space, check every 3 months or so. Allow Windows to take care of it automatically, no point in using any 3rd party tools.

W10 is a very 'busy' OS, there's no way the System drive will ever be 0% fragmented, there's simply too much going on, esp. at default settings.

If you try too hard to keep fragmentation to very low levels, you're only making the drive work harder and you'll see zero gain from it.

It's only at higher drive capacity usage that fragmention might become an issue, maybe from ~25% free for a very low capacity drive to probably less than 10% free for a multi-TB drive.

 

Just to add peter, you only defrag hard disc drives, never SSDs.

 

The reason I asked is because when I ran analyze it said 12% and also said it needs to be defragged. I never saw that advisory before before.

 

And while those files are in use, they can't be defragmented.
As satrow posted, let Windows take care of it.

 

I have a 4 1/2 year old Dell desktop and recently replaced the 1TB Seagate HDD with a WD 500 GB HDD.

I am using Windows 10 defrag feature.



I just began importing Google TakeOut to my docs which I don't really need b/c I have Drive Downloaded to desktop.



Maybe that is the reason as it only lasts a week then I create a new archive.

I now also have Googlesync sand do not know if that is because I downloaded drive or if I have takeout.

This is the only new event I have done.

I think there is something wrong since it is at 12% saying it needs to be defragged and only goes to 6%.

 

Files that are in use cannot be defragmented.
Post #7.

 

Eldon
My laptop has the same programs and set up yet it defrags to zero.
Please tell me what to do to change the desktop so it can be defragged as the laptop does as I do not understand how these file are in use if i am not using them?
TY
Peter

 

peterr, even when you're not using Windows there are system files in use, and some of them are locked. No software will defrag them. The only option is to use a program that allows the files to be defragmented during boot time. Also, by default, some software will not defrag files over a certain size - this setting can usually be changed.

You can use one of the following programs that will allow boot time defragmentation.
Defraggler.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/defraggler.html
Smart Defrag.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/iobit_smartdefrag.html

 

Eldon, thank you for replying. it is a mystery to me because the laptop is configured the same way and has the same programs yet defrags to zero.
I have used defraggler before and am familiar with it.

 

Don't let it bother you, even 20% fragmentation with your % of free space isn't a problem, you'll not notice any slowdown.

 

I am enclosing a printscreen of Defraggler's findings after I ran it at boot and told it to turn off when done.

What do you think of those findings and importantly, how do you think Windows 7% would compare to this?

Is it better or about the same?

I tried to read the file but it is so small - can you read it or suggest a better way to do so. I used paint with prntscreen.

 

It said 0% fragmented and now 1%. Thanks for the idea of defraggler.
Even Windows says 0% now. I believe I told defraggler to turn off Windows but am not sure if both should be running, which to use and how to turn one off if necessary.

 

W10's file state changes from minute to minute, second to second.

Forcing a 3rd party defrag in circumstances such as yours is simply wasting time and CPU cycles - doubly so if the 3rd party defrag uses a different algorithm.

Use one or the other, weekly will be way more than ample.

 

I certainly appreciate your input. Which would you prefer,Windows or Defraggler?
I only defrag once a month or if over 12 % as Windows alerts me to do.

 

I let Windows defrag deal with it. It only becomes something I need to deal with once the drive becomes relatively full

Keep things simple: I've seen 3rd party defrag drivers implicated several times in triggering BSODs during boot, I use MS SATA drivers, rather than Intel's - that's at least 3 fewer 3rd party drivers/filters in use by Windows, should I need to troubleshoot a drive performance issue, it's 3 less things needed to rule out.

Don't waste any more time and effort on it, allow W10 to deal with it automatically. You have better things to do.

 

I'll go with Windows as you say to keep it simple. I understand about different algorithms. Defraggler did get things back on track as Windows now is at 0%. I may use defraggler only in a pinch.
TY

 

Your own advice, with input from satrow, is the way to go.
And yes, Defraggler did get things back on track because Windows doesn't offer boot time defragmentation.
It should stay at <1%.

 

(Shsssh, you shouldn't have said that, Peter might set an hourly alarm to check it.)

 

Give an old man a break - non of my cronies can even spell computerr.