
If the disk is constantly being written to, different operations result in data stored in different sectors of the disk. When an entire file is accessed, the disk places all of the data from the file back together so that it can be viewed in whole.Īlso read: Best Disk Cloning Software What are Downsides to Fragmentation? Depending on the existing space on the disk, one file might need to be split so that all the data can fit on the drive.

While fragmentation is a normal occurrence in hard drives, it can lead to slower data reads as well as sub-optical drive capacity and performance. When data is spread across the disk and files are separated, putting those files back together during the read process takes more time. For enterprises, reading data from multiple disks, especially for critical applications, is important slow read speeds can decrease enterprise application performance. Microsoft Windows has its own built-in tools for defragmentation, but there is also an active market of third-party defrag tools to help users.Īlso read: The Ongoing Value of Hard Disk Drives in Data Centers Tips for Selecting a Defragmentation Tool The process of fixing fragmentation, known as defragmentation, can help with the fragmentation performance problem. There are several key criteria that users should consider when looking to select a defragmentation tool. SSD or HDD: There are key differences between SSD vs HDD.Deployment target: Different tools can target different use cases, including workstations and server deployments.Consider the following things before purchasing a tool: Fundamentally, it’s important that users choose a tool that is both efficient and relatively easy to use. Solid State Drives (SSDs) don’t work like traditional spinning disk Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). Users should choose a tool that matches the type of storage they use more, either SSD or HDD.

Fewer platforms defrag SSDs, but there are a couple that do.

Continuous optimization: Most defragmentation tools can be run on demand, while some will also provide a form of continuous optimization that helps to minimize fragmentation in the first place.Also note that it’s not recommended to defrag SSDs because it shortens their life span: SSDs are electronic and die after a certain number of sequential writes, and the defragging process requires a lot of writes.

In this Enterprise Storage Forum top products list, we spotlight vendors that offer the top disk defragmentation tools. Configuration and customization is an Auslogics strong suit, with multiple options for users to choose for how to optimize a drive layout.Value proposition for potential buyers: Disk Defrag Ultimate is a good option for end users and small companies looking to optimize storage space on HDDs within workstations.
