Defragmentation Methods

In addition to the five methods for speed zones, O&O Defrag offers seven traditional defragmentation methods:

• STEALTH
  
• SPACE
  
• COMPLETE/Name
  
• COMPLETE/Modified
  
• COMPLETE/Access
  
• SOLID/Complete
  
• SOLID/Quick

Performance Characteristics of Traditional Methods

Legend:
- + = well suited (runtime: fast)
- ++ = very well suited (runtime: very fast)

* Extreme fragmentation refers to rarely maintained drives containing many heavily fragmented files and very little free space.

** The first defragmentation takes longer than in previous versions, as your data must initially be divided into speed zones.

COMPLETE/Access Method

The COMPLETE/Access Method defragments files and also reorganizes their structure.
Although slower than the STEALTH and SPACE methods, it ensures optimal system performance when reading files.

Algorithm
- Files are sorted by the date of last access.
- Infrequently accessed files are moved to the beginning of the partition.
- Frequently accessed files are moved to the end of the partition.

Advantages:
- Rarely used files only need to be defragmented once.
- Frequently used files can be read faster.
- Reduced effort during subsequent defragmentations, as fewer files are affected.

Use Cases:
- Maximizes read performance, especially on servers.
- Suitable for regular defragmentation of a drive.
- Recommended for systems with sufficient resources, as:
- higher CPU load may occur (use of the O&O ActivityMonitor is recommended),
- more free disk space is required.
- For servers and workstations of all types.

COMPLETE/Modified Method

The COMPLETE/Modified Method defragments files and also reorganizes their structure.
Although slower than the STEALTH and SPACE methods, it ensures optimal system performance when reading files.

It is particularly suitable for database and file servers. Due to the reorganization, increased memory usage may occur.
If this is an issue, the STEALTH or SPACE methods are recommended.

Algorithm
- Files are sorted by the date of last modification.
- The oldest unchanged file is moved to the beginning of the partition.
- The most recently modified file is moved to the end.

Advantages:
- Ideal for systems where some files rarely change (e.g., system files), while others change frequently (e.g., databases).
- Reduces effort for future defragmentations, as only modified files need to be checked.

Use Cases:
- Maximizes write performance on servers.
- Suitable for regular defragmentation of a drive.
- Recommended for systems with sufficient resources, as:
- higher CPU load may occur (use of the O&O ActivityMonitor is recommended),
- more free disk space is required.

COMPLETE/Name Method

The COMPLETE/Name Method defragments files and also reorganizes their structure.
Although slower than the STEALTH and SPACE methods, it ensures optimal system performance when reading files.

It is especially suited for system drives. Again, increased memory usage may occur.
If this is problematic, use the STEALTH or SPACE methods.

Algorithm
- Files are sorted alphabetically (A–Z) and arranged on the partition.
- Advantage: Faster access to files in the same directories.
- Speeds up Windows startup since many system files (DLLs, drivers, etc.) are read sequentially.

Use Cases:
- Maximizes performance during system startup and file reading.
- Suitable for regular defragmentation of a drive.
- Recommended for workstations and servers with free resources at the time of defragmentation.

SOLID/Complete Method

The SOLID/Complete Method combines two steps:
1. Fragments are sorted and, if possible, reduced.
2. A second pass is performed to close gaps.

Advantages:
- Faster access through reduced fragmentation.
- Protects memory cells by reducing unnecessary usage.
- Prevents future fragmentation by writing new data into consolidated areas.

After completion, the SOLID/Quick Method is also executed to optimally use free cells.
Result: Immediate performance improvement and long-term resource conservation.

SOLID/Quick Method

SSDs have intelligent storage management that partly compensates for fragmentation.
However, after prolonged use, an internal cleanup is required.

The SOLID/Quick Method uses SSD-native functions and combines them with additional cleanup mechanisms.

Advantages:
- Increased performance
- Better resource utilization
- Protection of memory cells

Regular use is recommended to keep the SSD at its highest performance level.

SPACE Method

The SPACE Method is particularly effective for heavy fragmentation.
It consolidates files, increases contiguous free space, and helps prevent new fragmentation.

Algorithm
- All fragmented files are defragmented.
- They are then moved to create as much contiguous free space as possible.

Use Cases:
- Ideal for the first defragmentation of a previously unmaintained system.
- Suitable for computers with little free space or resources.
- Particularly useful for servers with large drives (e.g., >1TB) or systems with very many files (>100,000).

STEALTH Method

The STEALTH Method is characterized by high speed and low memory consumption.

Algorithm
- Defragments all fragmented files.
- Performs a fast, resource-saving consolidation of free space.
- Less thorough than SPACE or COMPLETE methods, but significantly faster.

Use Cases:
- Particularly suitable for regular defragmentation.
- Ideal for:
- Computers with limited resources
- Servers with very large drives (>4TB)
- Systems with very many files (>3,000,000)