UltimateDefrag Freeware Edition for Windows

By DiskTrix
Free
User Rating

Key Details of UltimateDefrag Freeware Edition

Optimize and defrag hard drives.
Last updated on February 21, 2024
There have been 9 updates
Virus scan status:
Clean (it's extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors' Review

Download.com staffFebruary 21, 2024

This well-designed defrag application improves hard drive performance through intelligent file placement. UltimateDefrag's dual-pane interface helpfully displays blocks in a more realistic hard drive-shaped, and color-coded map. Most users will pick up this application without the need of the Help file.

Operating UltimateDefrag takes the press of just a couple of buttons. One analyzes your hard drive to discover the extent of the file fragmentation. The next step depends on your needs. You choose to implement any of five defragmentation methods. Each method moves files based on simple rules enabled through quickly set options. Users can select from defragging fragmented files only, consolidating files and folders, or placing last used or last accessed files and folders to inner or outer tracks. An automatic defrag option lets the application control the process. Click a radio button to choose the method and press Start. We found UltimateDefrag average in speed, but more versatile than most in this genre.

On first run, this application requires users to answer question that affect system performance without mention of how performance will be affected. The program also fails to display an estimated time to completion timer. Nevertheless, intermediate to advanced users will find UltimateDefrag an often-used tool.

What's new in version 2.0.0.55

Version 1.72 includes unspecified updates.

UltimateDefrag Freeware Edition for Windows

By DiskTrix
Free
User Rating

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: May 23, 2008

Latest update: February 21, 2024

Version: 2.0.0.55

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows Vista

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 403,746

Downloads Last Week: 7

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.6/5

79 User Votes

Freeware v1.72 estimated time 1652 hours?
misakikAugust 12, 2013
Pros
-good interface -detailed user guide that even provides terminology definitions -good theory and ideas on how to organize files on hard drive -FREE!
Cons
-Freeware is freeware...obviously it won't be as good as their current or more recent versions.
Summary
I downloaded this after searching for a way to improve my work computer's speed. I tried the windows defragger but felt like there was a better way to do things. Turns out this was exactly what i was looking for...except for the fact that when i tried running it it would tell me that it would take over 1652 hours to complete a simple consolidate defrag...and that was after leaving it over the weekend to do its job. On the more positive side of this software I recently downloaded the most recent version of this for xp and am VERY impressed with it. It gives you 30 days to test out the software but I don't need the whole 30 days to figure out whether or not ultimatedefrag 4 is worth my time and money. The new version works like a charm. In short just try out the newest version. Don't bother with v1.72.
Easy to understant and use.
mcpayrollFebruary 17, 2012
Pros
More options than XP defrag. Seems faster than XP.
Cons
None at the moment.
Summary
Great freeware software, the ultimate disk optimizer
danwat1234November 20, 2011
Pros
The most configurable disk defragmenter and optimizer available. Sorting your computer's system drive file system results and superior rebooting speed, application launch speed, security scan speed and more. O&O defrag does this as well, but ultimate defrag also has the ability to put select files and folder as the beginning of the drive volume for the fastest speeds possible, and this high performance selection can be optimized (if desired) differently from the other selections). There is also a archive section so you can tell Ultimate Defrag to put files that you hardly use or doesn't need high I/O speed to be put at the end of the drive volume so it does not slow down the speed of data that need high I/O speed.
Cons
The only downside to this software is high CPU usage when it comes to NTFS compressed file systems. As in, when you select a large majority of your files on your NTFS file system to be comrpessed using NTFS compression. Even on a high end 3GHZ+ Core 2 duo system, the CPU is often the bottleneck, not the hard drive.
Summary
Seems like "2nd best" to the original Windows defrag.
Harborview32September 15, 2011
Pros
Easy to understand graphically
Cons
I thought that it took a very long time to get the job done. I don't recall earlier Windows OS requiring that long.
Summary
Glad to get it over.
Great when you understand what is does and how it works
scott7104August 26, 2011
Pros
Total control over defrag process. Program can figure everything out for you automatically, or you can tell it specifically how and where to locate data. Defrag multiple disks simultaneously. Performs better/faster than Win XP built-in.
Cons
Takes a little time to read the manual (which I highly recommend) and understand how it works. Requires manual override if you use anti-virus, which most everyone does.
Summary
The greatest feature of this program is not how well it defrags, but how it optimizes data access by locating the most-used data on the outer tracks. The theory is that, since the linear speed under the read/write head is faster at the outer tracks, by consolidating your most-used data there you greatly reduce seek times and can read data faster, improving disk performance. Also, by putting all of your important data together, the read/write head travels less, also improving performance. There is an automatic feature that locates your data based upon how recently it was accessed. Theoretically, the data that was accessed most recently or changes most frequently should be located at the outer tracks. The problem is that many anti-virus programs alter the access date if each file that it scans. So if you rely on this program to locate data automatically based upon access date, it doesn't work as well as it could. This is why you should read the manual to understand how it works. For performance, manually tell it to locate your Windows files and the programs you use the most at the outer tracks. Also manually tell it to archive (move to inner tracks) all zip and cabinet files (.cab) and other data you never need or use regularly (such as all of the Windows\&NtUninstall...$ directories, Windows\Installer, Windows\ie#updates, etc.). You can play around with it and try different scenarios. You can't really hurt anything. If your disk fails, then you had other problems to begin with, and you should be backing up your disks anyway (preferably imaging for easy recovery).
VaVaVoom Fantastic
KENETICS1May 23, 2011
Pros
works great with very little effort
Cons
can't think of any
Summary
A unique and effective defrag tool!
traxman62January 5, 2011
Pros
User interface is very informative and gives you a lot of information on helping you to make an informed decision on how to set up your defrag. The defrag goes by quickly on auto and the results give you improved performance.
Cons
Not really much to report yet. User interface is somewhat more complex than most, although I hear it has a good manual. I haven't used the manual yet since I just ran it in auto.
Summary
Right now it is my goto defrag prog. It seems to get the job done and performance improvements are noticed right afterwords. I don't have any concerns at this time. However in light of the report of an individual losing a hard drive after using this program I will keep my important data backed up often. If I have any new experiences to report I will post it in the future.
takes too long
MHBellNovember 29, 2010
Pros
not very much
Cons
takes too long
Summary
takes too long couldnt even tell if it was working
It'll ruin your hard drives faster but has a cool GUI.
maskedpillagerNovember 8, 2010
Pros
This program has a cool GUI with a circle visualization of where data is on your physical disc.
Cons
This program WILL ruin your hard drive! I've used it on several computer multiple times and the hard drives always end up failing quicker! Stick to the default Microsoft Windows defrag tool. You can find this in All Progs>Accessories>System Tools.
Summary
Good for most uses
azrin619October 4, 2010
Pros
takes a small load and not hog the system
Cons
can't move the free slack into place.
Summary
It's a freeware, does almost what Microsoft Defrag does but if it can move the pagefiles and system files into order with making sure the end is only free space would be great.. just as the old Norton Defrag 5.0

Developer's Description

Optimize and defrag hard drives.

More than just a defragger, UltimateDefrag is also a hard drive file placement optimizer that enables you to defrag and place your files in the areas on your hard drive where you achieve maximum performance. 80% of the time you only use 20% of the files on your hard drive. UltimateDefrag places your rarely used files out of the way and onto the slower performing areas of your hard drive making your drive perform like a new, almost-empty drive. Version 1.72 includes unspecified updates.