Can I use my PC during a defrag?

I think generally it is better to leave your PC alone while it is being defragged. I don't think it actually has any bad effect on the defrag process other than slow it down, since it can't move a file while you are using it. This is true the other way around too, you can't use a file while it is being moved.

Also, if you use something like Diskeeper or PerfectDisk, they use up a lot of CPU and RAM so your whole system slows right down.

My advice would be to leave a defrag operation for an overnight job. That way you can use your PC without being slowed down and the defrag can go ahead unimpeded by system use.

SiriusB
 
Cool mate cheers. Yeah I thought I would do the spare hard drives in there and still browse the web etc, but do the main C: drive tonight when its not in use.

Thanks very much.
 
De-frag is very slow in Windows , especially with anti-virus programms scanning drives etc.Much quicker to do a de-frag in safe mode . Go on , try it & see.
 
If it's NTFS you can use it as much as you like. Hell, you could have a power cut during a defrag on an NTFS volume and it would take it all in its stride :)

Don't try that on FAT though! With FAT I'd close all your software and leave the PC alone while it defrags.
 
Jimbo said:
Im just wondering the answer to this, can I use my PC whilst its defraging variuos hard drives, or does it have to be left alone?
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You should really de-frag in safe mode for best results and also leave it alone while running!

There are much better options around than the std windows defragger.
 
just use o&o defrag, its awesome and has i tihnk 5 different levels of defragmenting, one is called 'stealth' mode which gives priority to other programs first so is designed to be run in the background

always turn off av scanning for best performance (in any application), just turn it on when you're browsing any site that could be described as dodgy

let your firewall stomp out any other nasties
 
I use PerfectDisk and don't get too many complaints from the processor when defragging and working at the same time. Although, it just seems to feel right to leave it all alone.

There is a little utility I have that I sometimes use, Ashampoos MagicDefrag, that sits as a service and uses idle cpu and disk time to do a continuous defrag, seems to work quite nicely. Not free though.
 
AJUK said:
There is a little utility I have that I sometimes use, Ashampoos MagicDefrag, that sits as a service and uses idle cpu and disk time to do a continuous defrag, seems to work quite nicely. Not free though.
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Totally unnecessary IMO. Any performance increase would be utterly negligible and not noticeable. All constant defragging does is wear your HDD out quicker.
 
dirtydog said:
Totally unnecessary IMO. Any performance increase would be utterly negligible and not noticeable. All constant defragging does is wear your HDD out quicker.
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I don't use it that often but it did make a difference on data read times, even if it was just a perceived one on my part. :)
 
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