Recommended Posts

As market leaders Perfectdisk and Diskeeper haven't released Windows 8 compatible versions of their defrag software yet I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations, as I cant seem to find anything paid or otherwise that works with windows 8 at this point.

I use this free one. http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/

Just remember if you are using windows 8 with an SSD, you don't want to defrag SSD's.

http://www.piriform.com/defraggler

Piriform makes some great products, defraggler has been updated to support windows 8

I've actually stayed with the included defragmenter - and I used to use Diskeeper with Windows 7.

The *why* is simple - Disk Optimizer (the Windows 8 defragmenter) is not only improved over the desk defragmenter in 7, it's even improved over Diskeeper Pro Premier (what I'd used with Windows 7).

It's the only free multi-pass defragmenter, first off.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that is entirely graphical - no text mode at all.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that does NOT require a reboot.

It's still written by Condusiv (the same folks that used to be Diskeeper Corporation) - and it's still part of the operating system.

I've been loyal to Diskeeper since 1999 - however, Disk Optimizer in Windows 8 has effectively mooted it.

I've actually stayed with the included defragmenter - and I used to use Diskeeper with Windows 7.

The *why* is simple - Disk Optimizer (the Windows 8 defragmenter) is not only improved over the desk defragmenter in 7, it's even improved over Diskeeper Pro Premier (what I'd used with Windows 7).

It's the only free multi-pass defragmenter, first off.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that is entirely graphical - no text mode at all.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that does NOT require a reboot.

It's still written by Condusiv (the same folks that used to be Diskeeper Corporation) - and it's still part of the operating system.

I've been loyal to Diskeeper since 1999 - however, Disk Optimizer in Windows 8 has effectively mooted it.

This is what I thought as well but never looked into it that much. It seems the built in option has been improved quite a bit over it's Windows 7 counterpart. I also don't see a reason to use something else, I use the built in defragger in Win7 as well.

I've actually stayed with the included defragmenter - and I used to use Diskeeper with Windows 7.

The *why* is simple - Disk Optimizer (the Windows 8 defragmenter) is not only improved over the desk defragmenter in 7, it's even improved over Diskeeper Pro Premier (what I'd used with Windows 7).

It's the only free multi-pass defragmenter, first off.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that is entirely graphical - no text mode at all.

It's the only multi-pass defragmenter that does NOT require a reboot.

It's still written by Condusiv (the same folks that used to be Diskeeper Corporation) - and it's still part of the operating system.

I've been loyal to Diskeeper since 1999 - however, Disk Optimizer in Windows 8 has effectively mooted it.

I think I am just going to have to go with the native defragger, not that I've ever seen any bad press regarding the quality of Condusiv Diskeeper but as this Wikipedia page isn't disputed by Condusiv I would normally boycott their software if it wasn't already part of Windows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condusiv_Technologies

"Founder

While studying electrical engineering at Northwestern University in 1968, Craig Jensen took a night job as a computer operator to learn about computers. He went on to develop advanced operating systems for early technology pioneer Applied Data Research, and in 1974 moved to Data General Corporation. He founded Executive Software International in 1981, he says, "with an early personal computer and a box of file folders in his kitchen in Hollywood." Mr. Jensen stepped down as CEO in 2009.

He is the author of The Craft of Computer Programming (New York: Warner Books, 1985) ISBN 978-0-446-38147-5.

Craig Jensen, is a member of the Church of Scientology and a member of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), an international membership organization whose members use the management technology of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. He has stated that his employees are schooled in Hubbard's management technology,[6] with courses that include Effective Leadership, Executives and Ethics, Executive Basics and Management by Statistics.[7] Jensen attributes much of his success in business to the use of this technology, saying "I attribute [our] success directly to the management technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Simply put, I couldn't have done it without his help." [7]

In 1991, the company (back then Executive Software) denied Ciba-Geigy technical support for the VAX version of Diskeeper after learning that Ciba-Geigy makes Ritalin, a drug opposed by scientologists[8] (see also Scientology and psychiatry)."

As for the other suggestions I checked them all and none are officially compatible with W8 and I want that for intelligent features similar to 'Smart Placement' in Perfectdisk.

Thanks Anyway...

I'd go one step further... why bother at all - why bother even thinking about this - when the built in one runs automatically on a schedule :p

Exactly, Automatic Maintenance in Windows 8 works very well indeed, defragmentation being the one thing it takes care a lot better than its Windows 7 predecessor. In fact, it seems more effective than Degraggler. Even better is that it recognizes SSDs and optimizes them. Things like maintaining your PC, installing security bundles / antivirus etc should go away with Windows 8. It is all automatic and the in-built systems are rather good.

I'd go one step further... why bother at all - why bother even thinking about this - when the built in one runs automatically on a schedule :p

I've run the built in one on Windows 7 and Windows 8... and when it says 0% or 1% fragmented, I can go run a 3rd party, like Defraggler and the map shows it is 30+% fragmented... so I'm not sure how to explain that, since they all use the windows API to defrag. Anyone got an answer for that?

And side note, the built in one is set by default for 3AM on Wednesday I believe, and most people suspend or shut down their systems. I think Windows 8 just now will unsuspend the system at that time by default, but Windows 7 did not.

I've run the built in one on Windows 7 and Windows 8... and when it says 0% or 1% fragmented, I can go run a 3rd party, like Defraggler and the map shows it is 30+% fragmented... so I'm not sure how to explain that, since they all use the windows API to defrag. Anyone got an answer for that?

I would not be surprised in the slightest if the fragmentation percentage is falsely inflated to make you think it's being detected better so you'll use their software

I've actually stayed with the included defragmenter - and I used to use Diskeeper with Windows 7.

I've been loyal to Diskeeper since 1999 - however, Disk Optimizer in Windows 8 has effectively mooted it.

Personally, I've been using Auslogics Disk Defrag for about 3 years now. I stopped using Diskeeper when I learned

the CEO of the company was/is a hardcore Scientologist. I hope you paid nothing towards your use of Diskeeper,

due to it's links with an evil, money grabbing, brain washing cult, that masquerades as a "religion" . . .

I've run the built in one on Windows 7 and Windows 8... and when it says 0% or 1% fragmented, I can go run a 3rd party, like Defraggler and the map shows it is 30+% fragmented... so I'm not sure how to explain that, since they all use the windows API to defrag. Anyone got an answer for that?

And side note, the built in one is set by default for 3AM on Wednesday I believe, and most people suspend or shut down their systems. I think Windows 8 just now will unsuspend the system at that time by default, but Windows 7 did not.

Because defraggler only places the files sequentially and if they aren't it says you're fragmented. Even thou sequentially isn't the optimal placement. Other tools, like the superior built in one, will use far more parameters, like the places on the disk that's fastest to seek and read, and what files are most often read and what files are most often read after each other. This makes it seem fragmented to an ancient basic defragmenter. Or any other defragmenter who uses a slightly different algorithm.

Just let the built in one run as scheduled. You're not going to see better performance on any others anyway. Heck the difference between a good and a bad one isn't unmeasurable. At most you could see a difference on a huge database server, but due to the nature of a databse not really since they handle that themselves internally.

  • Like 2

I've run the built in one on Windows 7 and Windows 8... and when it says 0% or 1% fragmented, I can go run a 3rd party, like Defraggler and the map shows it is 30+% fragmented... so I'm not sure how to explain that, since they all use the windows API to defrag. Anyone got an answer for that?

The built-in defragmenter (well, "optimizer" in Windows 8) disregards any file fragments which exceed 64 MB. I believe the other third party defragmenters insist on making files continguous regardless of how large the fragments are.

About the API, I think they only use that to safely move files, not to enforce a common algorithm for defragmentation.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/01/25/disk-defragmentation-background-and-engineering-the-windows-7-improvements.aspx

I think I am just going to have to go with the native defragger, not that I've ever seen any bad press regarding the quality of Condusiv Diskeeper but as this Wikipedia page isn't disputed by Condusiv I would normally boycott their software if it wasn't already part of Windows.

http://en.wikipedia....iv_Technologies

"Founder

While studying electrical engineering at Northwestern University in 1968, Craig Jensen took a night job as a computer operator to learn about computers. He went on to develop advanced operating systems for early technology pioneer Applied Data Research, and in 1974 moved to Data General Corporation. He founded Executive Software International in 1981, he says, "with an early personal computer and a box of file folders in his kitchen in Hollywood." Mr. Jensen stepped down as CEO in 2009.

He is the author of The Craft of Computer Programming (New York: Warner Books, 1985) ISBN 978-0-446-38147-5.

Craig Jensen, is a member of the Church of Scientology and a member of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), an international membership organization whose members use the management technology of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. He has stated that his employees are schooled in Hubbard's management technology,[6] with courses that include Effective Leadership, Executives and Ethics, Executive Basics and Management by Statistics.[7] Jensen attributes much of his success in business to the use of this technology, saying "I attribute [our] success directly to the management technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Simply put, I couldn't have done it without his help." [7]

In 1991, the company (back then Executive Software) denied Ciba-Geigy technical support for the VAX version of Diskeeper after learning that Ciba-Geigy makes Ritalin, a drug opposed by scientologists[8] (see also Scientology and psychiatry)."

As for the other suggestions I checked them all and none are officially compatible with W8 and I want that for intelligent features similar to 'Smart Placement' in Perfectdisk.

Thanks Anyway...

So, in short, you want to boycott Condusiv because it was founded by a Scientologist?

It sounds like someone boycotting the Equitable Life Assurance Company of the United States because it was founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). (Yes - that is absolutely true.)

That makes about as much sense as boycotting Sikh-owned businesses because Sikhs own them - basically, none whatever.

So, in short, you want to boycott Condusiv because it was founded by a Scientologist?

It sounds like someone boycotting the Equitable Life Assurance Company of the United States because it was founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). (Yes - that is absolutely true.)

That makes about as much sense as boycotting Sikh-owned businesses because Sikhs own them - basically, none whatever.

It's this line that makes the difference "He has stated that his employees are schooled in Hubbard's management technology,"

I was going to say that I have no problem with any organisation that has moved on from questionable beginnings and then link to some Scientology pages to remind people of just what they are all about.

But then I remembered that I don't have a problem with Mormonism or Sikhism as they aren't glorified pyramid schemes that employ extreme brainwashing techniques to extract money for their "cause."

Ron Hubbard was actually quite open about his intentions once saying "You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion."

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Doogee and Ulefone regularly release phones with 10k-25k mAh batteries, but those are bricks. I don't understand how they could make it only weigh 220 grams with a battery that size.
    • Windows 10 quietly gets one more year of support and updates by Taras Buria Windows 10 reached its end of life at the end of 2025. Microsoft kicked off the Extended Security Updates program, aimed at giving regular consumers one more year of security-only updates. By doing so, Microsoft gave users more time and money to update their computers to a newer operating system or compatible hardware. Now, with the end of the Extended Security Updates program quickly approaching, Microsoft is making an important adjustment. Users discovered that the official support article for the program now lists a new end-of-support date: The Extended Security Updates program is not a new concept. It has been an official way for business consumers to continue receiving critical updates for unsupported Microsoft products for many years. However, all this time, it was a business-only, paid feature. With Windows 10, Microsoft brought ESU to regular consumers, allowing them to get security updates for Windows 10 past October 2025 essentially for free. When Windows 10 was approaching the end of support, many guessed that Microsoft might adjust its support timelines, and this is exactly what seems to be happening. Of course, Microsoft would love everyone to switch to new computers, such as its latest Surface devices, but in the days of ever-growing hardware prices, not everyone is lucky enough to have money for a new PC. Leaving hundreds of millions of customers with a Windows version that no longer receives security updates is a major risk that Microsoft is not willing to take. If you have a Windows 10 PC to enroll in the Extended Security Updates program, check out this guide to learn how to do so.
    • Sony announces Bungie layoffs that will affect "significant number of employees" by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Sony today announced that major layoffs are happening at its first-party studio Bungie, the developer that has spawned series like Halo, Destiny, and Marathon over the past decades. The news arrives just weeks after Bungie delivered the final update to Destiny 2, and it's that team being hit with the layoffs the most. CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Hermen Hulst revealed the staff reduction today, calling it "painful news." "Over the past several months, together with Bungie leadership, we reviewed the studio’s long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within our broader portfolio strategy," said Hulst, explaining the decision. "We explored multiple alternatives before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities and long-term goals." The layoffs will be hitting "a significant number of employees" across most of the Destiny franchise development team. It doesn't look like Sony is planning to continue the series following Destiny 2's sunsetting update. The studio is said to be in early stages of looking at other projects to pivot to, but it's said that keeping the size of the team at current levels is no longer feasible. "We know this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates," said Bungie leadership in a separate message on social media. "While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected." At the same time, "some" of the Marathon development team are also affected by the layoffs. The recently released multiplayer-only extraction shooter title hasn't seen a big boom of players either, but the company is reportedly hoping that the live service experience will pick up players with future updates.
    • Microsoft adds reusable skills and finance data connectors to Copilot in Excel by Karthik Mudaliar Microsoft is giving Copilot in Excel a collection of new features aimed squarely at finance teams. The update introduces reusable instructions for common tasks, connections to services such as FactSet and Morningstar, and a better way to review what Copilot intends to do before it starts changing a workbook. The most interesting addition is 'Skills' finally coming to Copilot in Excel. Skills let companies teach Copilot how to handle a recurring process, so employees do not need to write the same detailed prompt every month. Users can create skills that can specify the steps Copilot should follow, along with the required layout, formulas, and formatting. Microsoft says users can create their own skills by saving a SKILL.md file in OneDrive. The file is written using Markdown and tells Copilot when and how to perform the task. Once it is available, a user can select the skill in the Copilot pane or mention it in a prompt using the @ symbol. There is also a library of prebuilt finance skills for customers who do not want to create their own. Microsoft plans to let developers distribute additional skills through the Microsoft Marketplace and the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, with LSEG, Ramp, Rogo, samaya.ai, Velixo, and Vena among the first partners involved. The company says that it is also expanding the external data that Copilot can access from inside Excel. New connectors are being added for CB Insights, Daloopa, FactSet, Morningstar, PitchBook, and S&P Global data through technology developed by Kensho. There is a catch, however. Accessing these services may require a separate subscription from the relevant data provider, so a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence will not necessarily unlock all of them. FactSet is also only available in preview for now, with general availability planned for July. Microsoft is also trying to make Copilot’s workbook edits easier to inspect. Users can switch to a planning mode that shows which sheets, cell ranges, formulas, and assumptions Copilot intends to work with before it begins making changes. Once the work is complete, the Show Changes pane can distinguish edits made by Copilot from those made by human collaborators. The update continues Microsoft’s push to turn Excel Copilot from a chatbot into an agent that can carry out longer tasks. The company previously added an Agent Mode capable of planning and completing multi-step Excel work. Microsoft also recently acquired financial AI startup Fintool, another indication that finance is becoming a key target for its Excel AI strategy. Prebuilt skills, personalization, workbook rules, external connectors, planning mode, and Copilot attribution in Show Changes are generally available to Microsoft 365 Copilot customers using Excel on the web, Windows, and macOS. Custom skills are initially available to Microsoft 365 Insiders on Windows and Mac starting today. Microsoft plans to make them generally available across Windows, Mac, and the web over the next month. Partner-built skills are expected during the third quarter of the year. Availability may still differ depending on region and licensing.
    • Exactly. They serve different (although related) purposes.
  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      kinowa earned a badge
      First Post
    • Rookie
      krychek57 went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Grand Master
      Jaybonaut went up a rank
      Grand Master
    • One Year In
      Philsl earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Dedicated
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Dedicated
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      438
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      169
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      134
    4. 4
      Xenon
      77
    5. 5
      Michael Scrip
      75
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!