Windows 10: Why Windows 8 and 8.1 defragment your SSD; how to avoid!

SSD's FW has built in "defrag" features and does even more than what "Spinners" do. There's also "Load leveling" feature when FW rearranges data using a spare area so all the cells get equal load. They also have different method of arranging data so access to data thru channels get as equal opportunity to be sent thru interface. Erasing data and refilling cells is also handled in much different manner than it would be expected from a HDD.

 

All of those things are true, but they only take into account the physical sectors. They don't take into account other things defragging does which are not related explicitly to moving sectors around.

As an example, there's a file structure called a File Entry, this file entry points to different clusters of disk blocks that the file occupies. Let's say this structure looks like this (grossly simplified)

FileName.Txt
Cluster 1 ---> Block 2000, 300 blocks in size
Cluster 2 ---> Block 5000, 250 blocks in size
Cluster 3 ---> Block 8000, 1000 blocks in size
etc...

Now, defragging will move those blocks around, but more importantly, it will do it in such a way that this file structure now says:

FileName.txt
Cluster 1 ---> Block 2000, 1550 blocks in size

Because this structure is now much smaller, the filesystem is much faster to process. What's worse, these file entry sizes have a limited file size, and if it gets too fragmented, then it can no longer create new fragments and disk writes start to fail.

So while this is only superficially related to moving the blocks on disk, more importantly, it's creating a single, contiguous block entry in the file entries, which reduces the amount of processing time. This may not seem like much, but spread over 10's or even hundreds of thousands of files it adds up.

 

'Defrag on 8/8.1 does not defrag SSDs, it sends commands to trim to optimise it so its perfectly safe to use. I use it without any problems.

Also a warning about using 3rd party defraggers. You must check to see whether they detect SSDs and act accordingly'

i disagree Swarfega, you are partially right, true for internal SSD's, not true for external SSD's connected via USB.

Jeff

 

*sigh* You really need to read the entire thread. Yes, Windows 8/8.1 *does* do a defrag of SSD's on occasion, and this is a good thing, and yes, it is safe. Read the linked article above.

 

Mystere,

i did not post this:

'Defrag on 8/8.1 does not defrag SSDs, it sends commands to trim to optimise it so its perfectly safe to use. I use it without any problems.

Also a warning about using 3rd party defraggers. You must check to see whether they detect SSDs and act accordingly'


it was a copy that Swarfega posted. I just responded to it

Jeff

 

Looks like a false positive possibly follow your own advice Mystere and read the thread *Tongue

 

I just disable the Disk Defragmenter service. Downside is that you cannot shrink partitions any more. But for that I use Partition Wizard anyhow.

 

Yep Mini tool is cool *Thumbs

 

You should use the built-in Quoting features of the forum so that this is obvious. Like I have done here, as well as attributing it to the person you are quoting...

 

I nearly missed your post because you didn't quote me and thereby making it easier to spot.

Anyway when I made that post some four weeks ago, I only had internal SSD'S in mind because they are the more common device.

 

Hi all,
I'm new to SSD's .. couple simple questions?
Samsung 850pro for past 3 weeks or so on win10tp on my laptop.

Is there any reasons not to manually push that Optimize(trim) the drive partitions? Adds wear & tear or shortens life, any downsides?

I guess same question for ChkDsk ?

Thanks !

 

Don't worry about the life of the SSD. It will outlive any HDD.

 

Well Mystere i did put it in ' ' quotes.

You sound like my wife.....


No it's a joke

But if you had read the whole thread you would have noticed it where not my words;

Furthermore i already posted somes AGES ago that defragmentation happens on USB SSD's, but it is normal one does not read everything. Me i am just the same, but that is because lack of time.

Cannot spend 1 -2 hours here on the board every day.

Besides this is the only board i am on for the same reason.


Jeff