Vista 64 - Massive fragmentation that I can't shift

TheBigCheese · 21 Sep 2008 at 11:08

Hi guys

Using Defraggler I can see that the C drive has 61GB of fragmented files - virtually all Windows files, but it's not able to defrag them...or if it does when I reboot they are back again.

Is this usual for Vista or is there a way to fix it? I'm sure it's causing massive system slowdown.

Many thanks in advance

Shadows1990 · 21 Sep 2008 at 12:13

My guess would be that an Anti-Virus software, or Windows is locking the files so that they cannot be shifted.
If it's not that, I would confirm your suspicions with a different defrag program. I would recommend JK Defrag or O & O Defrag.

RumbleBee · 21 Sep 2008 at 13:05

Could be the Windows system restore that's taking and locking down this space

modo77 · 21 Sep 2008 at 15:34

Get a trail of o&o defrag and do an offline defrag.

And no its not normal

TheBigCheese · 21 Sep 2008 at 16:36

Thanks for the replies.

I've downloaded O&O Defrag and run an offline defrag...no joy...currently there are:

62.5GB fragmented files (on a 500GB drive, 250GB used)
20 fragmented files
All from c:\system volume information

I'm also finding the HDD is thrashing a lot still and I'm guessing it's something to do with it...

Windows Defender and the enhanced search is switched off.

Many thanks for any help you can provide...this has been a bit of a nightmare 24 hour fix of many problems (not my machine) and this is the last thing I'm trying to sort out.

DDave · 21 Sep 2008 at 16:44

TheBigCheese said:
Thanks for the replies.62.5GB fragmented files (on a 500GB drive, 250GB used)
20 fragmented files
All from c:\system volume information

That's system restore, either delete the restore points or disable and re-enable system restore.

RumbleBee · 21 Sep 2008 at 16:59

Yes System Volume Information is where restore files are kept. If you can't reduce it via Windows clean up tools, you can actually disable system restore, then take ownership of the directory and manually delete the files.

TheBigCheese · 21 Sep 2008 at 17:43

Ah brilliant, well I've just got the PC functioning fine, apart from this fragmentation and serious HDD grinding so I guess deleting all the restore points will be the way to go.

Erm...

How do I do that then? This is the first time I've used Vista 64 properly and I can't find the way to disable system restore.

Cheers

bledd · 21 Sep 2008 at 17:49

click, start, type 'system restore', press enter

Masterdog · 21 Sep 2008 at 17:52

(Then click 'open system protection')

TheBigCheese · 21 Sep 2008 at 18:14

Errr...

That opens the c:\windows\system folder...which is empty... :confused:

Tute · 21 Sep 2008 at 18:21

If you run Disk Cleanup there's an option in there to clean up System Restore.

If you want to disable it, then you can do that in the Control Panel. Click System, then it's in the advanced settings somewhere.

TheBigCheese · 22 Sep 2008 at 01:06

Excellent, disk cleanup did the trick...60GB of fragmented files gone!

Thanks very much!