MyDefrag (formerly JkDefrag) 4.3.1

Overview

MyDefrag is a disk defragmentation/optimization utility that is designed to perform maintenance tasks on your hard drive in order to facilitate better performance and fix outstanding issues. This is a fully functional freeware with no trial limits and no advertisements.

Installation

Installing MyDefrag is a simple process that anyone who can follow simple instructions can complete. With a file size of about 2 MB, the install file consumes very little disk space and downloads quickly. Compatible with most versions of Windows, including 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Server 2008, and 7.

Interface

The user interface is very simplistic and intuitive, guiding the user through the purpose and process of using a feature with a descriptive paragraph that is displayed when a feature is highlighted in the select a script list, which provides access to the software's a main features – Analyze Only, Consolidate Free Space, Defragment Only, Flash Memory Disks, Optimize Daily, Optimize Monthly, Optimize Weekly, and Test.

Pros

• Can defragment and optimize any type of data storage device that is compatible with the Windows operating system, including hard disks, external hard drives, memory sticks, USB disks, and even floppy disks

• Includes an advanced scripting engine for users that need to automate tasks and integrate MyDefrag functionality into third-party applications

• Commandline interface makes it easy to execute functions in an expeditious manner

• Provides superb reliability because it's based on Microsoft's industry-standard defragmentation API that is included in all versions of Windows. Given that the API is a built-in component of the operating system, MyDefrag can utilize this resource to relocate any piece of data on the disk safely and effectively

• Automatically favors storing files at the beginning of the hard disk, as performance analysis software indicates that this is the fastest functioning part of the hard disk. It also organizes files into different zones on the hard drive, with the most commonly accessed files being placed toward the beginning for considerably faster loading speeds

• Expedite the speed of loading temporary files by maintaining/optimizing free spaces throughout the hard disk

• Frees up space in the Windows MFT (Master file Table) by moving NTFS reserved files to conventional disk space

• Conveniently lists available disks, as well as their labels, sizes, and the amount of used and free disk space on each drive

• Lets you choose multiple drives to perform operations on simultaneously by checking checkboxes

• You can schedule the commandline version to run automatically within the Windows task scheduler or by using administrative scripts

Cons

• Operations can take quite a while to complete, depending on the defragmentation method you select, so it is important to be patient

• The interface could be improved

Alternatives

The most popular alternatives to MyDefrag are Defraggler, Auslogics Disk Defrag, O&O Defrag, Smart Defrag, PerfectDisk (Free, Pro), and UltraDefrag. Of these alternatives, Defraggler is the most popular, offering many of the same features as MyDefrag, yet with the added advantage of being able to specify specific directories and files to be defragmented.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a comprehensive defragmentation and performance optimization utility, MyDefrag offers a powerful, yet simplistic, open-source solution.