I have a 70 GB drive with around 15 GB of freespace. The freespace is mostly fragmented within 30 GB region with the largest area being aroung 10 GB. When I try to defragment the freespace (not allowing fragmentation), degraggler occasionally moves a few small files (temporary internet files) but does basically nothing. Strangely, it doesn't even move all of the temporary internet files into the smaller fragments of freespace. It does not attempt to shuffle any file areas to consolidate the freespace. Is that the way this feature is supposed to work? If so, it doesn't make much sense.
(This answer was also posted in another thread)
Actually you're kind of supposed to run CCleaner before defragging with Defraggler. It does not make sense to defrag temporary (internet) files. Or cookies for that matter.
An anti-malware scanning wouldn't hurt. Such files often refuse to defragment.
Also Defraggler can do more in safe mode but it takes longer. I do it when I sleep! This is how:
1. Turn the power of -> start the PC and tab F8 quickly and again and again as soon as the PC is starting -> use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode -> tell the promts you want to stay in safe mode. Your PC's desk should now be black and have the words safe mode written in the corners.
2. Open Defragler -> Settings -> shut down after defrag -> make sure you have a tick mark there -> start full defrag
3. Go to bed and sleep. Defragler will log you out and shut your PC down when it's done several hours later!
The build-in defragmenter that your OS came with can also do more in safe mode but it has fewer features than Defraggler. However it wont defrag in safe mode on a Vista.
The last alternative that I consider safe is Microsoft's free online defragmenter. "Windows Live OneCare safety scanner" which is a free offer that Microsoft runs. It's a 360 actually. It can defrag, regclean, clean up, remove malware, optimize and what have you. It will also repair (some) damaged files.
Link: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?mkt=en-us
I take it for a spin every now and then. It has hidden talents since only Microsoft knows exactly what Windows keys are genuinely obsolete. So it dare take more than any other regcleaner. Don't be surprised if it takes several hundred the first time.
That goes for leftover Microsoft files as well. When Microsoft updates your system and installs new versions the cleaning isn't always what it should be.
It will even update your OS. If you're running behind it will send the Yellow Shield to your Taskbar with all the updates that you need. It usually arrives within minutes after a full scan is done.
Note that there's a separate link for Windows Vista and Windows 7 users.
Windows Live OneCare safety scanner will stay put even though Microsoft no longer has the OneCare Security series for sale. So we will always have it should problems arise.
I already replied to your other post but the comments I gave there apply to this reply as well. I don't see what temporary internet files have to do with it. There are a lot of holes (some of which are massive, hundreds of MB or multiple GB). Why doesn't Defraggler consolidate them?