Defraggler is totally free defrag software application from Piriform, the creators of other popular freeware system tools like CCleaner (system/registry cleaner), Recuva (data recovery), and Speccy (system info).
About Defraggler
Defraggler is distinct defragmentation software because it can selectively move fragmented files to the end of the drive if you don’t access them typically, basically speeding up access to files you do utilize.
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What We Like
Supports defragmenting totally free area.
Selectively move any file or folder to the end of the drive.
Alternative to defrag simply files or folders.
Can utilize it as a portable program without installation.
What We Don’t Like
No recent updates.
This evaluation is of Defraggler version 2.22.995, released on May 22, 2018. Please let us know if there’s a more recent version we need to review.
Additional Information
Defraggler can be utilized in 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XPWindows Server 2008 and 2003 are likewise supportedWhile rebooting, it can defrag files that are typically locked by WindowsAfter an analysis of a drive, the software lists every fragmented file it discovered. From there, you can selectively defrag any or all of them, open the folder where the file can be discovered, or move any of the fragmented files to the end of the driveDefraggler has a custom-made fragmentation setting that enables excluding System Restore points and the hibernation file from a defragScheduled defrags can be established to run just if certain conditions are metMore than one drive can be defragmented one after another, but they can’t be defragged simultaneouslyExclude files, folders, or file types from being defragmentedSearch through fragmented filesCan run fast defrags and defrags when the computer system goes into idle modeSupports checking a drive for errorsOption to instantly close down after defragmentingPrompts to empty the Recycle Bin before a defragDefrag files or free area on a scheduleIntegrates with Windows Shell for use in the right-click context menuCustom Quick Defrag guidelines can be set up to run a much faster defrag that skips specific filesIt also reveals hard disk information, like temperature level, power-on hours, and the identification number
Defraggler has a few advanced alternatives we ‘d like to explain a bit more, which can be quickly missed out on if you aren’t looking for them.
Boot Time Defrag
Instead of simply defragging while Windows is running, like what is generally made with a defrag program, it can run a defrag while a computer system restarts – called Boot Time Defrag.
When Windows is running, a number of files are locked by the os making them not able to be moved. Obviously, this is what Defraggler does– it moves files around for much better gain access to when you need them.
To be able to run a defrag throughout a reboot, the program can enhance much more files than it might otherwise. The Windows page file (pagefile.sys), Event Viewer log files (AppEvent.Evt/ SecEvent.Evt/ SysEvent.Evt), the SAM file, and various computer registry hives are all defragmented during a boot time defrag with Defraggler.
If you enable a boot time defrag, the above files will instantly be defragmented. You do not have the capability in Defraggler to pick which of these crucial Windows components are defragmented, something other defrag programs, like Smart Defrag for example, can do.
The boot time defrag choice in Defraggler is found in the Settings menu, then Boot Time Defrag. You can run this kind of defrag just once (on the next reboot) or each time your computer system is rebooted.
Prioritize Files
Files that are at the start of a drive are generally quicker to open than those at the end. A good practice would be to move unused, or lesser-used files to the end of the disk and leave commonly accessed files at the beginning.
There are two various features in Defraggler that utilize this function.
Is the Move big files to the end of the drive throughout whole drive defrag option. This is where it immediately moves huge files, which you likely don’t open regularly, to the end of the drive. You can discover this in Settings > Options, under the Defrag tab.
When you enable this alternative, you can define the minimum file size that Defraggler comprehends as “big files.” Anything above this file size will be relocated to completion of the disk.
In addition to the file size limitation, you can likewise select the option called Move just selected files types to make sure Defraggler moves only the file types you specify. A good choice here would be video files and disk image files, which are in fact already preset in the choices for you.
Likewise, Defraggler lets you pick specific files and folders to constantly transfer to completion of the drive, regardless of their file type.
The 2nd feature that prioritizes your files is found after you do an analysis or defrag. After either scan type, under the File list tab, Defraggler lists every file it found that contains fragments. This list is truly detailed, letting you sort files by the number of fragments, size, and last modified date.
Sort by modified date and highlight every fragmented file that hasn’t been modified in numerous months, or perhaps years. Right-click the highlighted files and pick the option Move Highlighted to End of Drive. When the relocation finishes, all the old files you haven’t been utilizing will be moved away, to the end of the hard disk drive, and organized in such a way to leave your often-used files at the beginning.
Scheduled Defrag Conditions
Defraggler supports defragging on a schedule, as we discussed above. However, there are conditional settings you can apply to let a defrag run only if the conditions are met.
When you’re establishing a scheduled defrag, under the Advanced area, there’s an option called Apply extra conditions. Check this option and after that click the Define … button to view the enabled conditions.
The first is for beginning a defrag just if fragmentation is at or above a certain level. If the level of fragmentation fulfills your requirements for this setting, a defrag will start.
The 2nd alternative, under Timeout, lets you decide for how long a defrag should last. You can set any number of hours and minutes to ensure defragmentation runs are kept listed below that period.
Finally, and our favorite of the five, is for idle defragging. Select this alternative and specify a variety of minutes. This will allow a defrag to run only if your computer enters an idle state. Another choice discovered here can stop a scan if your computer system is no longer in idle mode. If you select both of these alternatives, Defraggler will only run a defragment on your computer if it’s idle, which implies it’ll never interrupt you while you’re utilizing your computer system.
The next condition is to make sure that the program does not run if you’re on a laptop but aren’t linked to a power source. So if your computer is only on battery, Defraggler can be set up to not run, which definitely helps ensure you don’t use up all your laptop computer battery power during a defrag.
The last condition, under the System section, lets you pick a running procedure and only let the software application run if that particular process is presently launched. If the Notepad program is open, Defraggler can run, however if it’s closed, it won’t work. You can even add more than one procedure to the list.
The Windows Task Scheduler service must be actively running for Defraggler to run defrags on a schedule, that includes idle scans.
Ideas on Defraggler
It’s just a wonderful defrag tool. You’ll find almost every function, plus more, in Defraggler that you discover elsewhere in comparable defragmenting programs.
We really like that it comes as a portable program. We suggest you install the full program to gain all the benefits, like the context menu integration for rapidly defragging a file or folder in Windows Explorer.
Defraggler is just actually basic to use. The design is easy to comprehend, and the settings aren’t confusing in the slightest. Nevertheless, if you do have questions, Piriform’s Defraggler Documentation page is an excellent place to discover answers on how to utilize it.
Frankly, everything Piriform makes is definitely wonderful and tops pretty much every list out there, the majority of ours consisted of. The truth that they’re all free to use is icing on the cake.
