CNET Editors' review
There are plenty of downloadable defrag utilities to choose from, but it's hard to beat the ease of use and helpful extras in IOBit's Smart Defrag.
With this utility you can quickly analyze your hard drive to check the level of defragmentation before committing to a scan. The interface shows you different colored blocks representing fragmented files, frequently used files, and more, with a helpful key to show what each colored block represents.
When you're ready to pull the trigger, you can choose from a straight defragmentation (fastest), or have Smart Defrag perform either a fast or "deep" optimization after defragmentation. Our test machine has a rather full hard drive, so even using the fast optimization took close to 40 minutes. Depending on your hard drive and level of defragmentation, your mileage may vary.
In addition to the solid defragmentation tools, you can have Smart Defrag automatically defrag the files you use the most without significantly slowing down your system. Even while performing a full defragmention and optimization run, the program barely uses as much as 25MB of RAM, and with just the auto-defrag running continually, it uses about half that amount.
Smart Defrag offers a few extras, including a scheduler so you can set it up to only defrag during downtime on your computer. You can set it to run scans on bootup or even have the app shut down your computer when it's done defragging selected hard drives or partitions.
It's important to note that Smart Defrag is not as essential for those running Windows 7 because the OS defrags continually on it's own. But if you run external drives connected to a Windows 7 computer, this utility will still come in handy for keeping them running smoothly.
Overall, if you want a quick and solid defrag utility to make your computer run more smoothly, with added options for scheduling and other extras, you should definitely download this program. Both beginner and advanced users will have no trouble operating this solid utility.
Publisher's Description
From IObit:
Disk fragmentation is generally main cause of slow and unstable computer performance. Smart Defrag 2 helps defragment your hard drive most efficiently. Smart Defrag 2 not only defragments computer deeply but optimizes disk performance. With "Install it and forget it" feature, Smart Defrag 2 works automatically and quietly in the background on your PC, keeping your hard disk running at its speediest. Slow down, freeze-ups and crashes will be a thing of the past.
What's new in this version: Version 2.3 adds more languages and improves interface.
More Popular System Utilities downloads
- Glary Utilities
105,037 downloads
- MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition
52,467 downloads
- Auslogics Disk Defrag
43,138 downloads
- Pandora Recovery
20,262 downloads
- Smart Defrag
11,136 downloads
-
All versions:
4.2 starsout of 2,554 votes
-
Current version:
4.7 starsout of 44 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Great FREE Program. Recommend to all."
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Free Free Free
Quick performer.
Low overhead.
As a computer tech I have used many of these programs over the years and would have to say this is the best free one. I have even removed my commercial PD12 which has become so complex in recent upgrades that it hogs the computer.
Uses newer concept of placing most used files at the start of the drive to minimize drive wear.
Why would you bother with the FREE??? one that is shipped with Win-doze when this free one is so superior.Cons
Does not do a complete defrag.
Placing most-used files at the start leads to more fragmentation for files that are edited as they do not have room to expand. Some defraggers used to be programmable to leave a space between the two sections to allow for this. However this one usually leaves random spaces that allow for this expansion. So not a big problem.Summary
Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
"Very quick and useful defrag utility"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Everything:free and efficient.
Cons
None for the moment.
-
"Works on its own, takes care of it self."
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
It rums trouble free, runs on its own, I don't have to worry about it.
Cons
Nothing at this time, I will check back later if I find any problems.
Summary
So far I am very happy with it. It runs on its own, I don't have to keep checking on it. Could not find any problem with it. I am running Windows 7 on it.
-
"very good program for defraging your hard drive"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
helps keep your computer running faster when you do searches
Cons
none so far I used this program on my old computer & it was a big help
Summary
very good product even a free program but if you can afford it I would buy the best one they have I think it would be well worth it
-
"This is free?"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Very thorough.
Automatic--set it, forget it.Cons
None that I can see.
Summary
EVERY computer should have this program pre-installed. It works!
-
"Great Tool"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Very efficient and easy to use
Cons
There are no cons
Summary
You can't beat it works better than any product I have ever bought
-
"It works as claimed"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
It works well (as claimed)
Cons
None, none
-
"Great defrag tool"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Easily programmable utility that defrags & optimizes better than any other utility I've tried. Superior to Microsoft's utility.Smart Defrag works on all the partitions with one setup.
Cons
When working with very large files (some >1 GB), it does slow things down. And I have a i5, 3.20 GHz CPU with 14GB of RAM so this was a surprise. And if you do not use real-time defragging, it has to disabled in two areas to prevent loading at start-up.
Summary
I've recommended Smart Defrag to others & will continue to do so.
-
"Very Good."
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Efficiency
Cons
None, ....
Summary
Very Good.
-
"Excellent defrag programme"
Version: Smart Defrag 2.3
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
It would be churlish to find faults.
Summary
Cannot complain as it does not cost anthing.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
