Linux Mint Forums

so sorry if this is a dumb question, i read somewhere that you can actually defrag ext4 or linux like you can with windows? is this true? if so, what is the link to download the tool to defrag your system(lm7 32bit)


regards

ibm45,

Forget defrag in Linux, especially with ext4. It is almost a moot issue due to the way Linux file systems are designed and managed. In most cases they pretty much defrag themselves. Your assistance is not required in that process.

I have Linux ext3 file systems that have been used for a couple years on a daily basis that show less than 10% fragmentation, with no intervention from me.

Fred

I too would agree with Fred - you *really* don't need to defrag in linux, and the "extents" make it even less necessary in ext4 than ext3, but if you must: As not all features in ext4 are fully supported by the current kernel (hence it not default, only available in manual partitioning stage), it's a non-trivial process, see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/321528 for why it won't work straight off, and http://polishlinux.org/apps/cli/ext4-de ... -e4defrag/ if you're really determined.

thanks guys for the input. its refreshing to know that linux dosnt require defrag at all, hence saving wear and tear on your hhd.


much appreciate the response.