Do I need to defrag Windows 10?

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  1. Posts : 97
    Windows 10
       #1

    Do I need to defrag Windows 10?


    Hi :)

    I am new to MS Windows, came from Linux and MacOS background, do I need to defrag Windows 10? If so, what app/program should I use that is most effective in defragging?
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  2. Posts : 2,935
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    If you are using traditional mechanical hard disk(s), you may need to defrag yes. Windows built-in defragmenter does the job. I think it's even set to run on a schedule by default.
    If you are using an SSD, you may also use "optimize" feature of Windows built-in defragmenter. It executes TRIM commands.
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  3. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #3

    If you search for Defragment and optimize drives from the start menu you will see this screen:

    Do I need to defrag Windows 10?-capture.png

    By default, weekly the system will defragment HDD, optimize SSD (issue trim) and perform slab consolidation on VHD but you can (from the screen above) run this action manually or change the schedule.

    In addition SSDs are automatically defragmented monthly if you have system restore configured. Source

    There are of course many third party defragmenters but I've not seen any evidence that they result in any real improvement or are required.
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  4. Posts : 97
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I have a 120GB SSD as main and another internal drive which is 1TB HDD.
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  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #5

    I'd let the system just get on with it - but you can check it has run by looking at screen above now and again.
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  6. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #6

    From W7 and up, there's no need to do any de-fragmenting by third party programs or even to force it from Windows. Even that is not really necessary, autodefrag works just fine although I have that turned off and there's no large fragmentation % (less than 2%) on two HDDs that were not defragmented ever and they are in the computer few years now.
    With SSD, all you have to do is to make sure that their controller is set to AHCI mode so they can keep themselves clean and in order.
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  7. Posts : 5,442
    Windows 11 Home
       #7

    If you decide to use a 3rd party defraggler, make sure to disable Windows built in, because each defraggler uses different methodology to defragment HDD, so they could make quite a mess together.
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  8. Posts : 120
    Windows 10 (duh)
       #8

    CountMike said:
    From W7 and up, there's no need to do any de-fragmenting by third party programs or even to force it from Windows. Even that is not really necessary, autodefrag works just fine although I have that turned off and there's no large fragmentation % (less than 2%) on two HDDs that were not defragmented ever and they are in the computer few years now.
    With SSD, all you have to do is to make sure that their controller is set to AHCI mode so they can keep themselves clean and in order.
    Not when it comes to (Valve) online games. You know, stuff like 6GB patches, or 3-4 smaller patches daily. So there is still a use for 3rd party defragmenters.
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  9. Posts : 471
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    In the end it does not really matter if one uses built in de-fragmentation or a third party tool. Just make sure you never de-frag SSDs.
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  10. Posts : 172
    Windows 10
       #10

    I think most modern drive optimizers recognize SSD's and would not defrag them, even if someone tried to.
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