The genuine defrag.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "Defrag.exe" is the storage optimizer utility for the Microsoft Windows operating system since Windows XP. It resides in "C:\Windows\System32". Since Windows 8 it ignores files smaller than 64KB and also accommodates Solid State Drive (SSD) devices made of flash memory that only erases in blocks. Windows 7, 8, and 10 automatically schedule "defrag.exe" to run weekly during idle time. Starting it from the command prompt or a script requires elevated permission. "Dfrgui.exe" only presents a GUI to start or schedule it. The "defragsvc" Storage Optimizing Service that runs under "svchost.exe" is started and controlled by "defrag.exe".
Defrag stands for Disk Defragmenter Module
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the defrag.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: The original defrag.exe is an important part of Windows and rarely causes problems. Defrag.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 178,688 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 180,736 bytes.
The defrag.exe file is a Windows core system file. The program has no visible window. The file is a Microsoft signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 4% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
If defrag.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 133,632 bytes.
The file is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. There is no information about the author of the file.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as defrag.exe, for example WS.Reputation.1 (detected by Symantec), and Artemis!D486FEE61A5D (detected by McAfee). Therefore, you should check the defrag.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
Defrag.exe is command line utility locates and consolidates fragmented boot files, data files, and folders on local volumes. Heidi (further information)
this is a program located under C:\Program Files John117
I just went to C:\Windows\System32 and pulled up the Defrag icon to the task bar. Yes, and anytime my Pentium1-4gbram goes slow, I just click the Defrag Icon pinned to taskbar and the system goes better, for a while of course; like 2-3 times per hour.
Summary: Average user rating of defrag.exe:
based on 5 votes with 3 user comments.
3 users think defrag.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
One user thinks it's probably harmless.
One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user is not sure about it.
Best practices for resolving defrag issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with defrag. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the defrag.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
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User Comments
Heidi (further information)
John117
Summary: Average user rating of defrag.exe: based on 5 votes with 3 user comments. 3 users think defrag.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks it's probably harmless. One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user is not sure about it.