Defrag How Often?

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How often should I defrag my hard drive?
Is there a risk of losing data when I defrag my hard drive?
Your advice will be appreciated.
Thank You,
 
There's no exact answer. On the one hand, if you have an old computer (with
a slow spinning hard drive) that is used a lot you would benefit from doing
a defrag, say, once a week. On the other hand, if you have a new computer
(with a new hard drive) that is not used a lot you wouldn't benefit,
substantially, from doing it so frequently and, maybe once a month may be
sufficient. There is a technical consideration that the more you use the
hard disk the closer you'll get to it failing but that's not worth worrying
about.

The time you will start to notice a need to defrag is when the hard disk is
working its hardest when booting, closing and loading a saving a very large
file. So, if you notice a slowing down during these operations you will
suspect that a defrag is required. The problem is that (as with the aging
wallpaper) it is progressive and hardly noticeable over time. (Move a
picture and you'll soon notice the change in the wallpaper).

Yes, there is a technical possibility that defragging may loose data.
However, that's only because the more the computer is used increases the
chance that something will go wrong at that precise moment so I wouldn't
worry too much about it.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
If you don't enter install/deinstall software into the picture, keep your
hard drive clean of local and internet associated drivel, every 2 weeks is
plenty.

There is always a risk of data loss during defragmentation.
 
Ray10X10 said:
How often should I defrag my hard drive?
Click to expand...


There's no answer that's right for everyone. It depends on how you use your
computer and it depends on how much you use your computer.

You should defragment your drive when doing so results in a speed up. Here's
what I recommend. Pick some arbitrary interval--for example once a month.
Defragment on that interval a few times, and assess whether the computer
generally feels faster after doing so. If the answer is yes, defrag more
frequently. If the answer is no, defrag less frequently.

Repeat a few times, and you'll soon settle into a frequency that works well
for you.

Is there a risk of losing data when I defrag my hard drive?
Click to expand...


Yes. The risk is small, but not zero. For that reason, I only defrag
immediately after doing a backup.
 
Ray10X10 said:
How often should I defrag my hard drive?
Is there a risk of losing data when I defrag my hard drive?
Your advice will be appreciated.
Thank You,
Click to expand...

In addition to what Ken says, XP has a much better file manager (if you are
using NTFS, which you ought to be) than the W9x versions of Windows and
thus (usually) need defragging very much less.
 
Hi Ray,

In addition to all the great advice already given, be sure to run "Disk
Cleanup" prior to doing a disk defrag. Getting rid of the "junk" may
actually contribute as much to overall performance as the defrag itself.

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
http://aumha.org/
 
Bill, the link you provided doesn't work. Either the server is down or the
page has been removed.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Personally I use PerfectDisk to defragment my drive (rather than XP's build
in defragmenter). I schedule PerfectDisk to defragment every month. However,
if i have been installing and uninstalling applications i will manually
defragment the drive, even if PerfectDisk is scheduled to defragment, the
next day or the next week.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Thanks for the update link, Bill

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
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