Hard disk fragmentation - multiple questions

[Satyaa]

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For the OP:

I’ve been using Robocopy for years for “Quick Backup”, which adds any new or changed files to an existing backup copy. Takes just a few seconds and is an excellent supplement to my monthly full backup and versioning procedures.

Latest “Quick Backup” incarnation sees my “spare” server updating its main data folders across the (wireless) network. Newbies simply don’t understand this.

How does it work? New or changed files have the Archive attribute set, and this triggers the copy process as required. I use SSD storage and also engage multi-threading.

Robocopy has a rather bewildering set of parameters, but it’s worth studying.

Thank you for that info. I will try it and see if it helps in my situation. Thanks

 

[Satyaa]

I haven't defragged a disk in over ten years...

Same here.

My defragmentation strategy is to wait until my drive fills up, buy a new larger drive, and move all my files to it. So far this has given me a nice freshly defragmented drive about every 5-6 years.

I am exactly at that moment. I have not one but two HDDs for redundancy. One of them died. So, moving to larger capacity now... two of them.

I know that the second 5TB drive will also die soon. They are about 5 to 6 years old.

The system I'm using now has SSDs for the OS and for my active files. The hard drive is used to store static files that don't really change, and so it gets little to no file "churn". I just analyzed it and Windows tells me that it has "0% fragmentation".

This was something I didn't realize. I will convert my SSD into online drive and use the external HDDs for archiving.

Thanks

 

[Satyaa]

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One weird thing I noticed is that my 8TB SSD (Samsung) shows as a "Hard Disk" in different programs, including the Windows "optimize" program. They all prompt me to "defrag" this SSD. Only "Auslogics Disk Defrag" shows it as an SSD and gives an "optimize SSD" option. Any thoughts on why this behavior in different programs? This kind of fundamental difference makes me doubt the reliability of these programs.

Thanks!!

Both the Windows program and Iobit's Smart Defrag showed the drive as HDD.

Auslogics Disk Defrag program showed it as SSD but to optimize, the 'Pro' version must be purchased.

Then I found Defraggler from the company that makes Ccleaner (they seem to have a new name now). It correctly shows the drive as SSD and optimize options work well.



Thanks.

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[Chris Noble]

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One weird thing I noticed is that my 8TB SSD (Samsung) shows as a "Hard Disk" in different programs, including the Windows "optimize" program. They all prompt me to "defrag" this SSD. Only "Auslogics Disk Defrag" shows it as an SSD and gives an "optimize SSD" option. Any thoughts on why this behavior in different programs? This kind of fundamental difference makes me doubt the reliability of these programs.

Thanks!!

Both the Windows program and Iobit's Smart Defrag showed the drive as HDD.

Auslogics Disk Defrag program showed it as SSD but to optimize, the 'Pro' version must be purchased.

Then I found Defraggler from the company that makes Ccleaner (they seem to have a new name now). It correctly shows the drive as SSD and optimize options work well.



Thanks.

Windows will defrag all your drives by default. If you have a Samsung drive, you should also install Samsung Magician which handles other maintenance tasks such as firmware updates and wear leveling.

I would avoid small-company 3rd-party SW; CCleaner was hacked a few years ago, and their ownership has changed hands multiple times. Many computer users don't realize that many of these app suppliers (especially "free" ones) are 1-person (with no professional qualifications) consultant companies that sell download link email addresses to advertisers (that's how they earn money on "free" versions), and who can't be contacted by their customers. You get what you pay for. I won't trust my data integrity and safety to an unemployed SW nerd living in his parents' basement.

 

[Eric Carlson]

I used Defraggler MANY years ago. Probably over 15 years ago.

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- Eric, http://www.invisiblerobot.com/

 

[New Wrycuda]

Both the Windows program and Iobit's Smart Defrag showed the drive as HDD.

Auslogics Disk Defrag program showed it as SSD but to optimize, the 'Pro' version must be purchased.

Then I found Defraggler from the company that makes Ccleaner (they seem to have a new name now). It correctly shows the drive as SSD and optimize options work well.

Forget about Defrag. You gain little by defragging the current crop of large HDDs, and Windows will take care of SSDs, by regularly using the Trim function.

All of my computers have three SSDs (O/S, Data, Backup), and there’s several external HDDs for long-term storage. Most of.the SSDs are Samsung brand, monitored and maintained by Samsung ‘Magician’ software. Highly recommended.

AFAIK, Linux looks after SSD Trim. Certainly, the Chromebook GUI (based on Linux) does not provide direct access to SSD utilities.