Is it true that files for running programs don't get defragged?

[cnm]

Is it true that files for running programs don't get defragged? I saw that here in a reply, but I've never seen a defragger say that in its Help.

 

The Windows XP defragger doesn't say anything about not running programs while defragmenting.

The closest it comes is

Defragment file server volumes during low-volume usage periods to minimize the effect that the defragmentation process has on file server performance.

[enoskype]

Hi cnm,

 

Have a search for:

 

Did you know that running programs can neither be defragmented nor be moved? ;-)

 

Cheers.

[cnm]

http://www.google.com/search?q=Did+you+know+that+running+programs+can+neither+be+defragmented+nor+be+moved%3F&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

Absolutely all the Google finds end up at http://www.abexo.com/defrag.htm when you search the pages. Take a look at this one, for instance. http://defrag-file.softplatz.net/2.html

 

Only Abexo ever says any such thing. It may have been true of ancient defraggers but it's not true of the XP defragger, Auslogics defragger, Defraggler, or your own Smart Defrag.

 

Urban legend!

And I personally never heard of Abexo before. Seems they do extraordinary things like removing the pagefile. :shock:

[sunny staines]

before defrag I always close all programs running in the background to get a more thorough defrag

[cnm]

A running program is completely in memory, either in RAM or in virtual memory (the swap file, pagefile.sys). Any decent defragger can defrag a program's disk file while it is running.

 

"All programs running in the background" would include all Services. You can't close them even if you go into services.msc and stop all of them (which would crash Windows).

 

However closing as many running programs as possible is still a good idea, as it frees up more resources for the defragger.

[enoskype]

Hi cnm,

 

Did you have a chance to look at the posts in Think about Defragmentation!!! thread? You will see what is my opinion on this subject. ;-)

That's why I have a wink in my above post!!! :-D

 

 

Cheers.

[cnm]

Yes, nice article. (what is ISD?)

[enoskype]

ISD=IObit Smart Defrag (at that time)

 

 

or your own Smart Defrag.

 

:shock:

BTW, SD is IOBit's product, and I am not from IObit.

[detailer]

A defrag in Safe Mode is something I use @ once a month.And of course, Page Defrag since I'm running XP.