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Defragmentation

One might go to all the trouble of fully handling spyware, adware, viruses, background processes and registry errors and if fragmentation is not also handled, one may still have a "mysteriously" sluggish PC. This is based on the fact that the main bottleneck in a PC is hard drive performance and if this performance is compromised by fragmentation the effect can be dramatic. Defragmentation software takes the pieces of files that have become scattered across your hard drive, and puts them back together so they are more quickly accessed. Performance improvement can be quite dramatic especially with defragmentation of system files such as the MFT(Master File Table) and Paging File. Good luck and good computing.

FragExt - defrag specific files from the context menu

Sysinternal's PageDefrag - boot-time defrag of the registry hives and paging file.

Contig from Sysinternals - use with Power Defragmenter GUI from Excessive Software. The main trick here is to get both downloaded and extracted and then put both executables in the same file and start Power DefragmenterGUI, it will recognize Contig and you're all set. You can select to defragment a file, a folder, a disk or use a special 'PowerMode' two pass option. Nice scrolling effect in the defragmentation.

BuzzSaw and Dirms - this is the one-two punch from DIRMS (Do it right Microsoft). BuzzSaw provides real-time defragmentation and accommodates multiple drives (such as an external hard drive in addition to your main drive), while Dirms provides for the more typical on-demand defragmentation of your hard drive.

JkDefrag - automatic defragmentation

Raxco Online Fragmentation Analyzer - analyze fragmentation status online, uses ActiveX

Windows Live Safety Center - from Microsoft, check for viruses and security vulnerabilities with additional scans to clean up temporary files and analyze hard drive fragmentation, Internet Explorer only (uses ActiveX)

Diskeeper 2007 (Free Trial) - arguably the best, fast defragmentation, includes boot-time defrag of System Files, goes beyond set-it-and-forget-it to provide completely invisible defragmentation.

Diskeeper Lite - manual defrag only

FragExt - defrag specific files from the context menu

System Mechanic 7 (Free Trial)  - a polished suite including tools to cleanup, compact and defragment the registry, general Internet and temp files cleanup, hard disk defrag including boot time defragmentation of the MFT, System Page File and Registry Hives, Internet Connection Optimization.  Plus Windows Tweak tools, Uninstaller, RAM optimization, Pop-up stopper, Spyware Wizard, and more. Settings for one-click and scheduled maintenance. Organized collection of quality tools. Pro includes Firewall & Virus protection.

Perfect Disk (Free Trial) - the preferred defragmentation tool of many home and enterprise users

DiskTrix - circular display provides an interesting look at your hard drive and fragmentation. Multiple file placement options.

O&O Defrag Professional (Free Trial)

Auslogics Disk Defrag - straightforward compact GUI

Windows Live OneCare - Microsoft 90-day trial, PC security and performance tools, scheduled defragmentation