Best Defrag Software

• "Truly an improvement over an already awesome product."
• "The best there is, without a doubt."
• "It has no real competition."
• "The 2010 standard for Disk Management. It Simply ROCKs!
• "Improving on an already fine product."
• "Still best on the market."
• "My laptop loves it."
• "State-of-the-art defragmentation for people who like perfection."
• "A prettier interface."
• "World class."
• "Still the best - and now you can customize it too!"
• "The best defrag tool on Earth just got better."
• "The most customizable and comprehensive product on the shelf."
• "It is the best defrag software on the market. It has features for every level of computer user, from the person that just wants to defrag their hard drive to the person that wants to not just defrag hard disk, but wants more about space usage on the hard drive, the ability to defrag while still using Windows."

• A smarter way to speed up PC performance 
• Size matters; then again, it doesn't
• Exchange defrag software -- ready for Exchange 2010
• Look beneath the surface, clean your PC, shrink your drive
• Defrag analysis -- catch me if you can
• A smarter SMARTPlacement is a smarter defrag and disk space management
• PerfectDisk 11 -- Gearing up for Beta
• PerfectDisk 11 defrag -- on the horizon

                                                    

As alluded to in a previous post, PerfectDisk's patented SMARTPlacement optimization strategy is about to get a whole lot smarter. Users will be able to let PerfectDisk do its thing as always, but if they prefer, they can make their own settings, their own custom strategy. Files, applications and directory data can be automatically placed on the drive according to each users' unique requirements or preferences. Flexibility and customization, not tyranny, to better maximize drive and file performance, and better speed up PC performance.

Here's a little peek:


                                                        

As beta tester Allen Flores stated, "I love the ability to specify the placement order and additional space between categories - terrific feature addition!" Wes Barter noted that "using the 'performance' strategy seems to improve overall system speed; placing frequently used files in areas of faster access improves the 'snappiness' of my machine."

What's a smarter way to speed up PC performance, as well as server and virtual machine performance?

A smarter SMARTPlacement. March 2010.

                                                     
 
Related Posts:
 

• Size matters; then again, it doesn't
• Exchange defrag software -- ready for Exchange 2010
• Look beneath the surface, clean your PC, shrink your drive
• Defrag analysis -- catch me if you can
• A smarter SMARTPlacement is a smarter defrag and disk space management
• PerfectDisk 11 -- Gearing up for Beta
• PerfectDisk 11 defrag -- on the horizon

                                                

As more and more PCs come to market with x64 architecture, users need to be assured that the applications and software they use on their computers handle the 64-bit architecture corectly. That includes a top defrag utility. There are certain features of the x64 platform that need to be taken into account when designing and building a program for this environment. Microsoft provides a guide for the development, migration and porting to the 64-bit platform, and our development team has had the opportunity to meet directly with Microsoft on this issue. The result is that PerfectDisk’s operation in a 64-bit environement is completely transparent to the user and it runs flawlessly.

                                           

Here are some of the issues we’ve dealt with for PerfectDisk on x64 defrag:

• The pointer size on 64 bit is 8 bytes; therefore all the code that contains pointer math needed to be reviewed and modified as necessary to avoid possible truncation.
• Changes needed to be made with regards to registry reflection and redirection for WOW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit).
• There are very strict rules on digital signatures for kernel modules for Vista and Windows 7 x64 editions which had to be adhered to.
• When compiling code under x32 platforms, compilers issue warnings for compatibility issues with x64. All this code and all of the warnings needed to be reviewed in order to ensure compelte transparency under x64.
• Finally, our development team needed to clearly understand the differences between 64 bit and 32 bit in order to confirm that any other applications they worked with handled the differences properly. And since sometimes they did not, they would then need to work with other vendors to make sure things worked just right.

The result? As PerfectDisk user Brian Dohery told us: “I just switched to a new machine with the Vista 64-bit operating system on it. (Product name removed) was extremely buggy on the 64-bit architecture and PerfectDisk was not…ran like a dream and so I switched.” What the top defrag software should do.

For most people, switching to x64 is inevitable. That new computer you get is likely going to be 64 bit. It is very common now to have 4 BG of RAM or more, even on consumer desktop computers. Theoretically, the 32-bit architecture has a limit on the memory size it can address - and that limit is 4 GB. Given the fact that about 1 GB is reserved address space to be used by the motherboard, the maximum amount of RAM that a 32-bit XP or Vista system can use is even less, more like 3 GB.

No need to pinch yourself, it’s not a dream. We did the work, so PerfectDisk just works on x64.

                                            

                                              

When it comes to defrag programs and what they can handle, size does matter. As drives and files get bigger and bigger, the challenge for a defragmenter program is to be able to handle the increased sizes efficiently and the best disk defrag software should not fall down when drive and file sizes increase.

But a professional defragmentation program should not cost more just when the going gets tough -- or bigger. So you won't find extra fees for even the largest drives with PerfectDisk, and you can hold onto your money.

                                             

We've worked hard on the algorithms and back end work that goes on when analyzing and defragging large drives and files, so the time it takes to handle them decreases. But there's still no extra charge, no matter what the drive size is.

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's an 11. March 2010.

                                              
 
Related Posts:

• Exchange defrag software -- ready for Exchange 2010
• Look beneath the surface, clean your PC, shrink your drive
• Defrag analysis -- catch me if you can
• A smarter SMARTPlacement is a smarter defrag and disk space management
• PerfectDisk 11 -- Gearing up for Beta
• PerfectDisk 11 defrag -- on the horizon

• Look beneath the surface, clean your PC, shrink your drive
• Defrag analysis -- catch me if you can
• A smarter SMARTPlacement is a smarter defrag and disk space management
• PerfectDisk 11 defrag -- on the horizon

There have been a number of blogs and articles written in recent months on the topic of best defrag software. I think that just begs the question, what would you want in your best defrag software?

At a minimum, you would want any defrag software to defragment all of your data files. The Windows 7 defragmenter and the free defrag utilities do a decent job in this regard, but the disks still re-fragment quickly. File defragmentation is just half the job, to truly hinder file fragmentation you need a defrag tool that also consolidates the maximum amount of free space. If the file system can find contiguous free space it will write files in one piece.

So, if you start to really look at what constitutes the best defrag software you want something that defragments all your files and consolidates the maximum amount of free space. But is there more to look for in a disk defrag program?

The location of the files can also make a difference. Files that don't change often can be defragged and placed together. The next time the defragger runs these files don't have to be moved. The same goes for frequently changing files, they can be located near the free space so they can grow in the fewest number of pieces. Boot files can be placed next to the Master Boot Record for faster system boot ups, and you can defrag system files, the ones Windows 7 doesn't touch, to get them out of the way so your on line defrag is faster.

Combine all of this with flexible scheduling, automatic defragmentation, a duplicate file finder, virtual system support and ease of use and you have something that really qualifies as the best defragmentation software. This is why PerfectDisk 10 is the choice of thousands. These users know that the best defragmentation software does the whole job.

                                                    

Construction has begun!

A few years ago, Raxco Software began giving to the Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC as our leading charity. As I’ve written about in the past, the Ronald McDonald House is part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC works to better the lives of children and their families around the world. The program began in 1974 based on  a simple idea: provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Since that time, more than 10 million families around the world have benefited from the comfort provided by a Ronald McDonald House.

                                                 

RMHC and its global network of local chapters in 49 countries have awarded more than $440 million in grants and program services worldwide to make an immediate, positive impact on as many children as possible. The Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC has housed over 15,800 families from all over the world since its formation in the early 1980s. These families have children with serious illnesses that are being treated in Washington-area hospitals.                                          

A new house is being built in the Washington, DC area and PerfectDisk is helping to build it. We are happy to be able to share some of our success with what we believe to be a very worthy and global cause. The main wing of the building was built in 1912, and the costs of maintaining an old building over time far outweigh the one-time cost of constructing a new House. The original foundation has resulted in much water damage and other problems.  The new house will provide new suites for families, play rooms and much more. The new house will also be green, with new, energy efficient systems to significantly reduce ongoing repair, maintenance and operating costs.

This new venture started over 2 years ago. After nearly 2 years of red tape and negotiations with the DC government, the Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC is now starting! We received a letter earlier this month with this news from Debbie Wargo, Special Project Director of the DC RMHC. The builder is excited to begin (as we all are), and believes construction will be completed in the fall of 2010. Thousands of deserving families stand ready to reap the benefits.

Thanks to the entire worldwide PerfectDisk family of auto defrag users and employees for allowing us to help in this very worthwhile cause. Just one more reason all Windows defrag software is not alike.

                                                

                                                        

Defragmenting computer or your Windows Home Server on a Friday night? Seems like a great idea!

Tim Daleo did just that on Friday night. Tim is a Project Resource Analyst and Oracle Applications Trainer for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Tim currently runs a Dell Power Edge server running Windows Home Server and a HP MSS at an off-site location. On Friday nights, Tim posts in the Using Windows Home Server blog - which classifies itself as "your number one stop for all things Microsoft Windows Home Server, Windows Media Center and anything in the Connected Home."

                              

Tim provides a good overview of PerfectDisk 10 Windows Home Server, although he is still looking for the definitive answer as to whether disk defrag software is needed, especially since there is not a Microsoft defrag for Windows Home Server.

Here is how Tim concludes his review:

Overall I like the functionality and interface of PerfectDisk 10. If you are looking for a Disk Defragmenter for your WHS then this is a great choice. In addition, like I said earlier, their manual has 325 pages so there is a lot more to it then what I covered here.

Only time will tell whether PerfectDisk10, and disk defragmentation in general, is worth the effort and money. For now I will give PerfectDisk 10 the benefit of the doubt.

That said…does WHS really need a Disk Defragmenter? Microsoft would have included it if it needed it, right?"

                                                             

Well, PerfectDisk 10 Windows Home Server lets you not only defrag the server but also defrag PC or multiple PCs in your environment. One of the reasons HP partnered with PerfectDisk for its MediaSmart Servers is that its testing showed PerfectDisk would eliminate hard drive fragmentation, consolidate free space to speed backups, and allow HP users to stream media faster.

HP recognizes the need to defrag Windows Home Servers, and it has partnered with the leading disk defrag utility as part of its validation. This review provides some more insight. And thousands of users around the world provide more evidence.

Your entire connected home defragmented is a better-connected home. You can read the entire review here.

Here’s a little something on defragmenting with Windows 7 from a single user perspective. Greg Smith, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,  is a full-time software engineer, and also is a part time audio engineer. He wrote the following to me:

“I mainly use my PC for software development and productivity, but occasionally I use it for live recordings of small concerts around the area.

"The computer is a self-built Intel Q9400 system with 4 GB RAM.  There are two hard drives installed – a Western Digital 320 GB drive as my system drive, and a Western Digital 640 GB drive for storage.  The system drive is partitioned for dual-booting.  The outermost partition (200 GB) is my software development partition, which is running Windows 7.  The innermost partition (100 GB) is my recording partition, which is running a stripped-down version of Vista x64.  The 640 GB storage drive is partitioned as one large partition.

"Since I use my Windows 7 installation 99% of the time, that’s the Windows installation on which PerfectDisk is installed.  It is configured for StealthPatrol on the Windows 7 partition and the Storage partition (I have the Vista partition set to manual).  All my programs are installed on the 200 GB Windows 7 partition, but my data is entirely on the 640 GB storage partition.  PerfectDisk keeps my program files and data perfectly optimized.  I don’t even have to think about defragmenting my drives anymore – I just always have outstanding disk performance.  This is especially important when recording, as the large audio files (sometimes several GB per track) can quickly become extremely fragmented.  I simply kick off a SmartPlacement defrag on the storage partition before AND after a recording session, and everything is perfectly optimized.”

                                                   

Greg also had a little to say about PerfectDisk support:

“Your support is simply amazing. If you have a problem, you are contacted within 24 hours, and often times within a few hours of your submission. The support staff are an absolute pleasure to work with - friendly, knowledgeable, competent, and above all — HELPFUL. Raxco has provided some of the best product support experiences I’ve ever had.”

                                                 

You get what you pay for. And sometimes paying nothing is good enough, sometimes it's not. If you're looking for defrag downloads, you can find some free stuff. That might be okay for you...but maybe not.

Writing in his Naples News Technobuddy column, Bill Husted writes often about free software programs that do a great job. Indeed, he writes that "one of the things I enjoy most with this column is recommending free programs that do a great job. From an early age I’ve been a great believer in the “if it’s free, it’s for me,” school of thought."

                                             

However, Husted goes on to write that "there are programs I do buy. That’s what we’ll talk about today, those rare programs so good that I’m willing to pay for them." As for the Windows built-in defragger, Husted says "it works OK. Perfect Disk 10 is better — so much better that I am willing to pay $40 for Perfect Disk 10 Professional." And the bottom line for Husted -- "my computer runs faster because of it." 

Most Windows defrag software, including the free stuff, won't defrag metadata completely. Won't defrag system files completely. Won't optimize your drives, won't do a good job of consolidating free space...won't do much more than basic defrag of files. A disk defragmentation tool can do a whole lot more, and benefit users a whole lot more.

The must-have computer programs -- read the entire article here.

Get more, do more.

                                                  

                                              

As the National Football League continues negotiations on a new labor agreement, many issues need to be addressed in order to reach an agreement and avoid a strike or lockout two years out. And the urgency increases, as this week NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that he'll participate in the latest round of labor negotiations with the players' union today in New York, along with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith.

                                            
As both sides' lawyers and representatives crunch numbers and perform the research necessary to make their cases, it wouldn't seem that something as mundane as Windows defrag software or a disk cleanup program would come into play. And perhaps in the big scheme of things, they don't.

But when the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) goes about the backend of their business, they don't mess around. They use PerfectDisk. As do many NFL teams. In fact, the Seattle Seahawks take it a  step further, as they defrag Exchange and compact their data stores with PerfectDisk Exchange.

Pro labor. Pro business. Pro fast defragmentation.

It's here.