These recommendations are based on my personal experiences with these types of apps on my PC.
All versions of Windows include a built-in defrag program, which I’ve also ranked in this list.
However, in most cases, a dedicated program performs better.
This list includes onlyfreeware.
In other words, onlycompletelyfree defragmentation programs.
Smart Defrag
Will run a defrag automatically on a schedule.
Disk Defragmenter.
A defrag can run while the computer is booting up.
Files you access often can be moved to faster parts of the drive.
A portable version is available.
Can clean up the drive before the defrag to speed it up.
Lots of options for post-defrag, like to reboot.
Exclusions can be applied to the defrag.
Some of the features are only usable if you pay.
Can’t defrag automatically when the computer is idle.
Setup might attempt to install another program.
I also appreciate the boot time defrag ability to remove fragments fromlocked files.
Also included is a feature thatremoves temporary junk files in Windows.
It also clears cache files in other parts of Windows that could help speed up a defrag.
Its advanced toggles are ideal for anyone who likes those types of options.
WinContig
No installation necessary.
Defrag specific files and folders only.
Disk Defragmenter.
Free for personal and commercial use.
Lots of options can feel overwhelming.
An exclusions list is available as well if you want to prevent some data from being relocated.
Wise Care 365.
you’ve got the option to also use WinContig to check for disk errors.
Another thing: I couldn’t validate how helpful the disk zone feature really is.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Updates often.
Toolwiz SmartDefrag.© ToolWiz Software
Files and folders can be excluded from a defrag.
Important system files can be moved to the faster part of the drive.
Lets you deactivate the ads.
Puran Defrag.© Puran Software
Boot-time defrags aren’t available for free.
Unable to move custom files to the end of the hard drive.
Tries to install several unrelated programs during setup.
Scheduling isn’t free.
But, know that there are some cons.
The biggest one for me is that it doesn’t support scheduled defrags.
O&O Defrag Free Edition.© O&O Software
This program can also be used to check the drive for errors withchkdskand exclude files/folders from a defrag.
It’s officially supported on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.
Defraggler
Defrags can be run automatically on a schedule.
MyDefrag.© J.C. Kessels
Can run a defrag during reboot.
you could defrag specific files and folders.
Data can be excluded from the defrag.
Can be run directly from File Explorer.
Lets you move lesser-used fragmented files to the very end of the drive.
Might be confusing if you don’t want to deal with all the extra options.
Doesn’t support idle defragging.
No update since 2018.
Piriform’s Defraggler tool is easily one of the best free defrag software programs out there.
It can defrag the data or just the free space of an internal orexternal drive.
You also have the option of defragmenting specific files or folders and nothing more.
Disk SpeedUp
Lots of defrag prefs that you might tweak.
Can defrag when the computer idles.
Exclusions can be set up so as to not be defragged.
Defrags can be run while the computer is starting up.
Files you don’t use often can be moved to the slower parts of the disk.
Lets you set up a defragmenting schedule.
Doesn’t integrate itself into Explorer to make it easier to defrag files/folders.
Might make a run at install another program during setup.
Disk SpeedUp can defrag not only whole hard drives but also individual files and folders.
This program has very specific configs.
All of these values can be customized.
Disk Defragmenter
Built-in to Windows; no installation necessary.
Can run defrags on a schedule.
Defrags internal and external drives.
Can’t defragment locked files (i.e., no boot time defrag option).
Finding the program is different depending on your version of Windows.
Disk Defragmenter already exists in Windows, which meansyou just have to open it to use it.
it’s possible for you to set schedules and defragment both internal and external hard drives.
To find it, search your rig fordefrag, or execute thedfrguicommand from the Run dialog box.
PageDefragis a program developed by Microsoft’s Sysinternals that can defragment your paging files and registry hives.
Wise Care 365
Supports optimizing and defragmenting the drive.
Lets you enable an automatic shutdown for when the defrag finishes.
There’s a portable option.
Includes other programs you might like.
Can’t defrag on a schedule.
There arelotsof other programs in addition to the defrag tool.
Won’t defragment locked files.
Wise Care 365 is a collection of system utilities that scans for privacy issues and junk files.
One of the tools, in theSystem Tuneuptab, is used for defragmenting a hard drive.
snag the drive to defragment and then chooseDefragment,Full OptimizationorAnalyze.
it’s possible for you to optionally shut down the computer after the defrag has finished.
Toolwiz Smart Defrag
Very simple and easy-to-use interface.
Shows how many files are fragmented.
Moves archives to the slower parts of the drive to speed up access to other files.
Doesn’t support scheduled defrags.
Doesn’t show the level of fragmentation on the whole drive.
Can’t customize anything.
Might not work for you in Windows 11/10.
Toolwiz Smart Defrag is a small program that installs quickly and has a spotless, minimal interface.
For instance, there arezerocustomizable features.
This program officially works in Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
I used it just fine in Windows 8 as well.
Puran Defrag
Can defrag when the computer is idle.
Able to move commonly used files to the faster part of the hard drive.
Includes an option to run a defrag during boot up.
Defragmenting can start from the file/folder level.
Can also check the HDD for errors.
Doesn’t show all the fragmented files (only the top 10).
There isn’t a portable option.
The results after analyzing the drive are hard to read.
Free space defrags can’t be run manually (only scheduled).
Something I like about this program is the freedom it provides.
I used it in Windows 10 without any issues.
UltraDefrag
Advanced options hidden away for beginners.
Can check a hard drive for errors.
Defrags both internal and external hard drives.
Lets you defragment individual files and folders, not just entire HDDs.
Advanced changes require you to edit a configuration file.
Scheduled defrags are hard to turn on.
It should run fine on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
O&O Defrag Free Edition
Defrags can run each time the screensaver comes on.
Scheduled defrags can be set to not run if fragmentation is too low.
Produces extremely detailed hard drive reports.
Doesn’t work with Windows 11, 10, or 8.
Some features are not free to use, so you’ll be prompted to buy the full version.
Doesn’t let you exclude files from defragmentation.
Can’t defragment removable hard drives.
Unable to defrag during boot up.
O&O Defrag Free Edition has an organized and easy to use interface.
you could optionally run through aQuick configurationwizard to easily set up scheduling or immediately optimize a drive.
O&O Defrag Free Edition is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
MyDefrag
Includes plenty of advanced options.
Works “out of the box” for people who don’t want to customize anything.
The interface is really simple and to the point.
Able to defrag removable drives and internal ones.
Can be much harder to use than similar programs.
Doesn’t work from File Explorer.
Last updated in 2010.
It works by loading and running scripts on one or more drives.
The default install is just fine for regular users.
Information about creating scripts can be found in the online manual.
However, it still works with newer versions of Windows, like Windows 11, 10, and 8.
Do I Need a Defrag Program?
This allows your hard drive to access files more quickly.
In some situations, running a defrag tool is asolution for a slow computer.
