Defraggler

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on December 09, 2012

Defragmenting your hard drive is a necessary part of owning a computer. It's why Windows now turns on its onboard defragmenter by default. However, the options in that program are limited. Defraggler outdoes it in every way imaginable. With quicker performance, more features and detailed statistics, this defragmenter is the only one you need.

One of the standout features Defraggler offers is that it can defrag files individually. If one or two of your programs are struggling, you can specifically target them in the process during a quick defrag. This increases their power as well as your computer's overall speed. When you're examining your drive, Defraggler gives you a clear, color-coded map. That, in addition to detailed info about your hard drive's overall health, is delightful for power users while being useful for the average folks. Though the program can sometimes hang at zero percent for minutes on end, it actually moves faster than most defragmenting programs when it's working on your drive. With quick, boot, and low-priority defrag modes, it will never get in your way. You can use your computer however you want as it runs.

With an unmatched feature set and quick defragging, it's hard to recommend any other defragmenting program. Even though there's a professional version of Defraggler that costs $30, this program isn't missing anything that could be worth that download. Plus, unlike just about every other program, it never asks you to download the full version. It's safe to say you'll never need to go back to the default option in Windows again.