Disk Defrag Free

Disk Defrag PRO

User Manual
 2

Welcome
to Auslogics
Disk Def rag
This is your guide to one of the fastest and most effective defragmenters in the world that lets you:

Optimize SSDs using a special

Analyze your drives’ status
algorithm for this drive type

Defragment HDDs with a Schedule offline defragmentation to

super-quick engine process locked system files and more
Here is a brief overview of the features that allow the program to optimize 3
and improve your system performance:

FEATURE DESCRIPTION

File defragmentation Defragments files and folders by merging their pieces together

Free space consolidation Merges scattered pieces of free space into a contiguous block, preventing fragmentation of newly created files

Smart placement of system files Moves system files to the faster part of the disk, minimizing the time needed for hard drive to access them

Clears the MFT Reserved Zone Moves data files from the MFT Reserved Zone into the rest of the disk space, preventing MFT fragmentation

Single file defragmentation Can save you time by defragmenting only the files you need instead of the entire hard drive

Simultaneous defragmentation Can defragment several drives at once, greatly reducing the time needed for defragmentation

VSS-optimized algorithm Minimizes growth of the VSS storage area and reduces the chance of overwriting previous VSS snapshots

Auto-Defragmentation Can defragment disks automatically in the background when your system goes idle

Scheduled defragmentation Has a flexible scheduler that allows you to set the most suitable time span for defragmenting disks

Clears temporary files Can clear current user and Windows temporary folders to reduce the time needed for defragmentation

File fragments viewer Shows you the list of all fragmented files and their fragments location on the disk

File/Folder exclusion If there is encrypted data or other files that should not be moved, they can be excluded from defragmentation

Flexible handling of large fragments Can be configured to ignore large file fragments as their defragmentation doesn’t increase file read speed much

Supports multi-terabyte volumes Has a powerful engine that allows the program to defragment large disks of several terabytes

Command line support Supplied with a command line tool - «cdefrag.exe», which can be found in the program folder once it is installed
Installing Disk Defrag 4

Launch the installer by double- To see or change additional

clicking on the downloaded file. installation options, click on
the ‘Custom install’ link.

Click the links to review the

EULA and Privacy Policy, then
click the ‘Agree and install’
button to start installation.
Installing Disk Defrag 5

Next, you need to choose the version to install. If you already have a license Make sure the checkbox to launch Disk Defrag is checked and click the
key, select the Pro version. Otherwise, you can start with the Free version ‘Finish’ button to complete installation.
and upgrade it to Pro later to unlock advanced features, if you like.
Free vs Pro 6
Disk Defrag comes in two versions: Free and Pro. The Free version offers essential disk
defragmentation and free space consolidation functionality. The Pro version provides advanced
features that let you schedule automatic defragmentation, clean up drives before defrags, optimize
SSD drives and more. This table should give you an idea of what you can expect from each version.

When using the Free version, you will see all Pro features marked with the yellow PRO tag. This
should give you a good idea of what you can get if you upgrade. The rest of this manual will talk about
both Free and Pro version features in more detail.

FREE PRO

Special Algorithms for SSD

Disk Cleanup before Defrag

Wipe Free Space on Drives

Schedule Automatic Defrags

NOTE

Auslogics also has an even more advanced defragmenter, Disk Defrag Ultimate, which offers tools for
complete HDD and SSD optimization appreciated by advanced users and IT professionals. The program
was previously known as Disk Defrag Pro, but was renamed to Ultimate and should not be confused
with the 2019 edition of Disk Defrag Pro.
Registering Disk Defrag Pro 7
To unlock and use all of the Pro features, you need to upgrade your
Disk Defrag Free to the Pro version. Here is how to do that:
Hover your mouse over the ‘Activate Pro Version’ button at the
bottom-right of the program window (do not click). This will open a
popup with two options for you to click. The ‘Activate Today’ button
takes you to a web page where you can purchase a license key. (You
can also reach this page by simply clicking the ‘Activate Pro Version’
button without bringing up the popup)
Right below the ‘Activate Today’ button in the popup, you see the
‘Enter license key’ link – click it when you’ve already purchased a
license and received a license key via email. This will bring up a small
window with the field to enter your key in.
Copy the license key from the confirmation email. Then, go back to
Disk Defrag, paste the key into the registration field and click
‘Register’.

NOTE

When you place your order online and complete payment, a

confirmation message is sent to you via email to the address you
provide during checkout. You will be getting two messages: one
containing your invoice and the other with your license information. If
you don’t see the message(s), please check your spam/junk mail folder
before contacting technical support. A common reason for not
receiving an order confirmation is typos made in the email address, so
be sure to double-check your contact info when placing order.
Main Menu 8
The main program menu is located at the very top of the program window and
gives you three drop-down lists of shortcuts to almost every Disk Defrag feature.

The File menu contains The Pages menu lets you The Help menu lists the
the main options that let quickly switch between options you have for
you quickly run any tabs. getting information
program or open a about the program or
website by simply typing assistance with it.
its name or address in a
popup window; open the
Control Panel, schedule
maintenance, open
settings or check for
updates.
Main Window and Navigation 9
When you open Disk Defrag, the main program window opens on the Disk Defrag tab.

At the very top of the window, you The items you see in the main section
see the main menu that lets you of the navigation panel are:
navigate through the program,
Options & Settings: the main control
easily access various features or
for your defrags and optimizations (see
find help info (see Main Menu
Using Disk Defrag for details).
section above for details).
List of Disks, which lets you select
Right below the main menu you disks to defragment or optimize,
see the tabs that let you switch monitor defragmentation process and
between the program’s sections. review results.
We’ll be looking at each tab in
more detail further in this guide. SSD Optimization, which offers special
algorithms for processing SSD drives
On the left, you see the navigation that help extend the drive’s service life.
panel that lets you go through the
program’s functionality and apply Offline Defragmentation, which lets
all of its features for maximum you configure and schedule boot-time
drive speedup. defrags to process locked system files
before Windows starts up.

Right below, you see recommended

options that link to Auslogics Store
entries (see ‘Auslogics Store’ section
further in this guide). Click on the task
you would like to accomplish, such as
‘Clean up your drives’ and get a
software recommendation to help you
do the job.
Using Disk Defrag 10
Besides defragmenting files on your drives, Disk Defrag offers various optimization options that help improve data access
speed even further. To ensure maximum optimization effect, get familiar with the program’s functionality before using it.

The first screen you see when you The tabs let you switch between
launch Disk Defrag displays the general information, the list of files
list of your drives at the top, the located on the drive (shown after
cluster map right below it, and disk analysis), technical details for
details on drive status in the lower the disk, its S.M.A.R.T. status
part of the window. Click on a (including disk temperature) and
drive to select it and have detailed SSD support information (shown if
information about it displayed the selected drive is an SSD). The
below. cluster map provides a clear picture
of the fragmentation on the
selected disk.
Using Disk Defrag Analyze Drives
11
Before you launch defragmentation or optimization, disk analysis is recommended. It reads disk
information and shows you a true picture of the disk’s condition and recommended actions.

To perform disk analysis, follow While the operation is underway, its

these steps: current status is shown below the
cluster map, as well as in the disks
1. In the list of disks, select the disk list next to the name of the disk
you would like to analyze by being analyzed.
checking the box next to its name.
3. Upon completion, analysis results
2. Click on the arrow on the will be displayed below the cluster
‘Defrag’ button below the list and map.
select ‘Analyze’ from the drop-
down menu. Note that if your drive You can switch to the Files tab to
is an SSD, you will see ‘Optimize view a list of fragmented files and, if
SSD’ instead of ‘Defrag’ on the desired, select the files you want to
button. defragment individually.

When you select a file from the list,

the location of its fragments will be
highlighted on the cluster map.
Clicking on a block on the cluster
map will produce an additional tab
– ‘Selected Files’ - which will let you
view a list of files in the block that
you selected on the map.
Using Disk Defrag Defragment Drives
12
When you are ready to start defragmenting,
follow these steps:

1. In the list of disks, select the disk 2. Upon completion,

you would like to defragment by defragmentation results will be
checking the box next to its name displayed below the cluster map
and click the ‘Defrag’ button below with a brief description of the result
the disks list. If the disk is an SSD, shown in the list of disks.
the button will read ‘Optimize
SSD’, which means the software
will use a special algorithm for
processing this disk.

While the operation is underway,

its current status is shown in the
main pane, as well as in the disks
list next to the name of the disk
being defragmented.
Using Disk Defrag Optimize Drives
13
Unlike simple defragmentation, «Defrag & Optimize» mode applies several optimization techniques:
System files smart placement Clearing the MFT Reserved Zone To perform disk optimization, follow
System files are necessary for the Normally, the NTFS file system reserves these steps:
operating system to perform its about 12.5% of the disk volume for the 1. In the list of disks, select the disk you
numerous functions. Commonly used MFT records (a place where information would like to optimize by checking the
by Windows, system files may be about every file and directory is stored). box next to its name.
scattered all over the disk and However, when the rest of the disk 2. Click on the arrow on the ‘Defrag’
Free space consolidation intermixed with regular data files. Disk space is getting low, the MFT Reserved button and select ‘Defrag & Optimize’
Free space on a disk is often split into Defrag moves them to the faster part of Zone will be used for storing regular from the drop-down menu.
many small gaps between files. the disk. Such intelligent way of files. This may lead to MFT
defragmentation minimizes time This will launch optimization. While the
Windows fills these gaps with newly fragmentation. Disk Defrag moves
needed for HDD to access system files operation is underway, its current status
created or extended files. The more regular files from the MFT Reserved
and thus improves overall computer is shown in the main pane, as well as in
fragmented the free space is, the more Zone into the rest of the disk space,
performance. the disks list next to the name of the disk
fragmented new files will be. Disk allowing NTFS to allocate contiguous
being optimized.
Defrag merges free space into a large space for the MFT records and thus to
contiguous block during optimization. NOTE prevent its fragmentation.
NOTE
This technology effectively prevents This feature is disabled by default. You
further file fragmentation and can enable it under the ‘Disk Defrag: Alternatively, you can launch operations
increases file write speed. Algorithm’ tab in program settings. on selected drives by clicking the
‘Options & Settings’ link on the left-side
navigation panel and choosing what you
would like to do with the drive(s) from
the drop-down list of options.
Using Disk Defrag Check Disks for Errors
14
Before you launch defragmentation, it is a good
idea to check your disks for errors.

Whenever a disk has errors, there To check a disk for errors, follow
is a risk that data may get these steps:
corrupted during 1. In the list of disks, select the disk
defragmentation. By checking for you would like to scan for errors by
errors and fixing any errors that checking the box next to its name.
are found, you ensure that no data
2. Click on the ‘Options & Settings’
will get lost or corrupted when
link on the left-side navigation
you launch defragmentation.
panel and choose the ‘Check for
errors -> Check Selected’ option.
NOTE This will launch the standard
Windows disk check tool, Chkdsk
You can use the ‘Options &
(Chkdsk.exe)
Settings’ link on the left-side panel
to perform other operations on 3. If errors were found during the
your disks and to adjust program check, you should try fixing them
settings. before you proceed to defragment
the disk. To do this, click on the
‘Options & Settings’ link on the left-
side navigation panel and choose
‘Check for errors -> Check &
Correct Selected’.
Reports 15
Using the ‘Reports’ tab in Disk Defrag, you can review your current
resource consumption and manage operation reports.

On the left side of the screen you On the right side you see a table
can monitor current resource that lists reports created after
use statistics. This provides a every operation. You see the report
great overview of how your name, the name of the tool that
system is handling all the tasks created it and the date when the
and applications that are operation ran. The filter above the
currently running on it. If you see table lets you search for specific
extremely high CPU, disk, reports by creation time.
network or memory loads, you Click on a report in the table to
will know that something might select it, then click the ‘View
be wrong and will be able to take report’ button below the table to
action. view it. Use the ‘Delete’ button to
delete all reports ever created or
just the reports listed above (the
ones that match your search filter):
you can select the option you want
from the drop-down menu that
opens when you click on the
‘Delete’ button arrow.
Auslogics Store 16
The ‘Auslogics Store’ tab lists software programs made by Auslogics
or its partners and recommended for your PC.

This is also where you can see NOTE

special deals and discounts
These programs may offer a trial or
available to you. You can click a
a free version, but require a license
button to go straight to an online
to be purchased for full
cart and purchase software using
functionality. Installing or using any
your exclusive discount.
of them is completely optional.
To install and try a recommended
program, click the ‘See details and
install’ button next to it. This will
open a window with a brief
summary of what the software
can do for your PC, and a link to
download and install it.
Once a recommended program
has been installed, it will show as
installed and will have a ‘Run’
button and a ‘See status’ link next
to it.
Scheduling Defragmentation 17

In order to keep disk fragmentation in To configure scheduled

check and support good system health defragmentation, please follow
and consistent speed, it is important to these steps:
run defragmentation regularly.
Launching defragmentation manually
when you remember to does not
provide the level of maintenance
needed for best results. This is why Disk
1. Click on the clock icon at the
Defrag comes equipped with a
bottom-right of the main program
scheduler that provides an array of
window.
options you can configure for
scheduling. The scheduler allows you to 2. In the window that pops up
configure defragmentation by time or check the ‘Defragment
set Disk Defrag to run when your PC is automatically’ box.
in idle state. Defragmentation by time 3. Specify when you want
is designed to run exactly at the defragmentation to be launched.
specified time, regardless of whether
4. Select the disks that you want to
the program is running. Idle-time
enable the scheduler for by
defragmentation is launched only
when the program is running. It is checking the boxes next to the disk
designed to work in the background for names.
continuous disk maintenance. It can be 5. You can also set the program not
configured to start when the system to launch defragmentation when
remains idle for a period of time from 1 your PC is in battery power mode
to 30 minutes, and to stop when a user by checking the appropriate box.
resumes activity on the computer.
6. Click ‘OK’ when done.
Customizing Program Settings 18

The Settings manager allows you Under View, select the size of
to change the program’s interface elements and
appearance and behavior, tweak temperature display units.
algorithms and set exclusions. Under System Integration, you
To access Disk Defrag settings, can have Disk Defrag added to
click on the gear icon at the context menu for faster defrags or
bottom-right of the main have it set as your default
program window. A new window defragmenter.
will appear, with its own Further down, you can customize
navigation pane on the left. Click cluster map appearance, fine-tune
through the options on the program algorithm, adjust SSD
navigation panel and adjust the drive support options and specify
settings to satisfy your needs: exclusions, if needed.
Under General, you can specify When done, click ‘OK’ to exit and
the program’s behavior (whether apply all changes.
you want it to start at Windows
logon, or be minimized on close,
etc.).
Contacting Auslogics 19

There are a number of ways to Many of the questions you may

contact Auslogics, including have regarding Auslogics products
several you can reach right from have already been answered in the
Disk Defrag’s Help menu. FAQ section on www.auslogics.com.

The Support section on the

Click on ‘Help’ in the main menu, Auslogics website also offers a way
then select ‘Technical Support’ to to retrieve a lost license key, request
go to the contact form on a refund, download product
auslogics.com and send us a manuals and more.
message. If you experience Should you have any questions that
technical issues with the program, are not answered on the website,
you can click on ‘Send debug log’ don’t hesitate to email our
to help our team get to the root of dedicated customer support team
the problem. 24/7 at the following address:
[email protected]
Thank you for using
Auslogics software!