How Many Passes Should I Let My Disk Defrag?

[PlatinumSun]

When I started it was at %66 fragmentation. Second pass just finished.

[_I_]

first pass puts all files in series leaving gaps between files
2nd pass fills the gaps with files that fit so the faster parts of the drive are used

a drive works like a notebook, write words/paragraph for each file
defrag puts all paragraphs together removing spaces and addng edits (written to other pages/margins), then fills blank spaces in the pages with other files

hdds are written from outside to inside, higher surface speed on the outside of a disc and shorter distance from head park position


no need to defrag a ssd since all sectors have the same access time

[_I_]

if you have time let it finish

[_I_]

some files may be in use or changing interrupting its progress

stop all background tasks if possible

[_I_]

end whatever is running in the tray (near the clock) and close all taskbar apps

defrag doesnt make it much faster
it puts larger files together so they can be streamed continuously (in as few rotations as possible without seeking to other sectors/tracks), and packs all files tward the outer rim of the drive

get a ssd for a fast responsive drive
500g ssd is around $50, enough for the os, common apps and a few games
you can keep the hdd for larger games or ones you dont mind longer load time with

[Magma Dragoon]

If a service is writing to a file so frequently that you can't defrag it, it will immediately fragment again anyway so don't worry about it

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Don't let it get so fragmented and it won't take so long. Always allow a defrag to finish. If it's been a long time or the defrag can't finish properly, then run cmd (admin) > CHKDSK /F /R

Then run defrag again after chkdsk.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

All you need is what MS provides in Windows as far as things like Disk Cleanup, Chkdsk, Disk Defrag are concerned. But I also like to use CCleaner and Defraggler.

Just turn off Monitoring in Ccleaner and also set the check boxes so you don't dump things like Cookies and History for browsers.

[humboldt]

(one defrag derfrags enough...just wondering!?)

[_I_]

if defrag is interrupted it looks to start another 'pass'

stop whatever is accessing the drive and let it finish