- Apr 03, 2017 The best free RAM Disk programs for Windows by Martin Brinkmann on April 03, 2017 in Software - Last Update: April 04, 2017 - 40 comments The following guide provides you with an overview of the best free RAM Disk programs for devices running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
- Here is a list of best free RAM Test software for Windows. These free memory RAM tester freeware can be used to test RAM for errors and notify you of RAM errors and problems encountered. This helps you get an idea of your computer Memory, so that you could change it when you encounter any problems.
- Maximize your software investment with one fully integrated application suite offering complete building analysis, design, and drafting for both steel and concrete structures. Increase your productivity by eliminating tedious and time consuming tasks with RAM’s practical applications.
- A list of the best free memory test (RAM test) software. Test your memory with a RAM test program to find even tiny problems with your computer memory.
Defrag software programs are tools that arrange the bits of data that make up the files on your computer so they're stored closer together. This allows your hard drive to access files more quickly.
Defragmentation, in other words, can help improve your computer's performance by making the reading of files more efficient, thanks to the fact that all the tiny pieces that make up a single file are right next to each other.
If you want to read the detailed guide for doing this, you can follow the first part of the guide that we covered earlier here to free up some RAM natively on your Windows 10 machine. Method 5: Free Software to Clear RAM on Windows 10.
Still confused? See What Is Fragmentation & Defragmentation? for more help understanding what fragmentation is and why defrag software is helpful.
All versions of Windows include a built-in defrag program, which I've ranked in this list. However, in most cases, a dedicated program, like any of the other free defrag software programs I list here, will do a better job.
I've only included freeware defrag software in this list. In other words, only completely free defragmentation programs — no shareware, trialware, etc. If one of these free defrag programs has started charging, please let me know.
Defraggler
What We Like
Defrags can be run automatically on a schedule
It can do a defrag of the HDD during a reboot
You can defrag specific files and folders
Data can be excluded from the defrag
Can be run directly from Explorer
Lets you move lesser-used fragmented files to the very end of the drive
A portable version is available
What We Don't Like
Might be confusing if you don't want to deal with all the extra options
Doesn't support idle defragging
Installs another program unless you uncheck that option during setup
Piriform's Defraggler tool is easily the best free defrag software program out there. It can defrag the data or just the free space of an internal or external drive. You also have the option of defragmenting specific files or folders and nothing more.
Defraggler can run a boot time defrag, check a drive for errors, empty the Recycle Bin before defragging, exclude certain files from a defrag, run an idle defrag, and selectively move lesser-used files to the end of the drive to speed up disk access.
Defraggler is also available in a portable version for flash drives.
If the Piriform company sounds familiar, you may already be familiar with their very popular free CCleaner (system cleaning) or Recuva (data recovery) software.
Defraggler can be installed on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2008 and 2003.
During setup, uncheck Try Google Chrome before installing Defraggler if you don't want to install the Chrome browser along with this program.
Smart Defrag
What We Like
Will run a defrag automatically on a schedule
A defrag can run while the computer is booting up
Files you access often can be moved to faster parts of the drive
A portable version is available
Can clean up the drive before the defrag to speed it up
Lots of options for post-defrag, like to reboot
Exclusions can be applied to the defrag
What We Don't Like
Some of the features are only usable if you pay
Can't defrag automatically when the computer is idle
Setup might attempt to install another program
Smart Defrag is great when it comes to scheduling an automatic defrag since there are some very specific advanced settings.
It supports running a defrag on a schedule as well as using boot time defrags to remove fragments from locked files.
Smart Defrag can also exclude files and folders from a defrag/analysis, replace Windows Disk Defragmenter, defrag just Windows Metro Apps, and skip defragging files that are over a certain file size.
Also included in Smart Defrag is a feature which removes junk files in Windows and Internet Explorer. It also clears cache files in other parts of Windows that could help speed up a defrag.
Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP users are able to install and use Smart Defrag.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
What We Like
Free for personal and commercial use
Updates often
Files and folders can be excluded from a defrag
Important system files can be moved to the faster part of the drive
What We Don't Like
Boot-time defrags aren't available for free.
Unable to move custom files to the end of the hard drive
Tries to install several unrelated programs during setup
With Auslogics Disk Defrag, system files, which are normally commonly used files, can be configured to be moved to faster areas of a disk to improve launch times and general system performance.
You can also check a drive for errors with chkdsk and exclude files/folders from a defrag.
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Auslogics Disk Defrag works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Puran Defrag
What We Like
Can defrag when the computer is idle
Able to move commonly used files to the faster part of the hard drive
Supports scheduled defrags
Includes an option to run a defrag during boot up
Defragmenting can start from the file/folder level
Runs on Windows 10 and other Windows versions
Can also check the HDD for errors
What We Don't Like
Doesn't show all the fragmented files (only the top 10)
There isn't a portable option
Setup might attempt to install another program
The results after analyzing the drive are hard to read
Free space defrags can't be run manually (only scheduled)
An updated hasn't been released since 2016
Puran Defrag features a custom optimizer called Puran Intelligent Optimizer (PIOZR) to intelligently move common files to the outer edge of a disk to speed up access to those files.
Like some of the other programs from this list, Puran Defrag can defrag files and folders from the Windows Explorer right-click context menu, delete custom files/folders before a defrag is launched, and run boot time defrags.
There are very specific scheduling options available in Puran Defrag like running an automatic defrag every so many hours, when the system goes idle, or when the screensaver starts.
Particular schedules can also be set up for boot time defrags like running it on the first computer boot up of the day, on the first of the week, or the first time your computer boots up every month.
One thing I don't like about Puran Defrag is that it tries to install additional programs during setup.
Puran Defrag is said to be compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Windows Server 2003.
Disk SpeedUp
What We Like
Lots of defrag settings that you can tweak
Can defrag when the computer idles
Exclusions can be set up so as to not be defragged
Defrags can be run while the computer is starting up
Files you don't use often can be moved to the slower parts of the disk
Lets you set up a defragmenting schedule
What We Don't Like
Can't defrag removable drives
Doesn't integrate itself into Explorer to make it easier to defrag files/folders
Might try to install another program during setup
Disk SpeedUp is another free defrag program that can defrag not only whole hard drives but also individual files and folders. You can also run an automatic defrag when the system has been idle for a particular number of minutes.
Disk SpeedUp has very specific settings. For example, you can disable defrags if files have fragments that are smaller than 10 MB, have more than three fragments, and are larger than 150 MB. All of these values can be customized.
You can also configure Disk SpeedUp to automatically move large, unused, and/or files of a certain format to the end of the drive so the commonly used, smaller ones end up toward the beginning, hopefully improving access times.
In addition to the above, Disk SpeedUp can exclude files and folders from a whole system defrag, run a boot time defrag, turn off the computer when a defrag has completed, and run defrags/optimizations on one or more drives on a daily/weekly/monthly schedule.
You can use Disk SpeedUp in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and Windows Server 2003.
Disk SpeedUp might try to install other Glarysoft programs during setup, but you can easily uncheck anything you don't want.
Toolwiz Smart Defrag
What We Like
Very simple and easy-to-use interface
Shows how many files are fragmented
Moves archives to the slower parts of the drive to speed up access to other files
What We Don't Like
Very outdated; hasn't been updated since 2012
Doesn't support scheduled defrags
Doesn't show the level of fragmentation on the whole drive
Can't customize anything
Might not work for you in Windows 10
Toolwiz Smart Defrag is a small program that installs quickly and has a really clean, minimal interface. It claims to be 10 times quicker than the default defrag tool included in Windows and can place archive files to a different part of the drive to speed up access to regular files.
You're able to see the number of fragmented files from an analysis and run a defrag really quickly, though you can't see the level of fragmentation that exists on a drive, nor can you schedule defragments to run at a later date.
Though it's nice to have a program that isn't packed full of buttons and other toolbars, it's also sometimes unfortunate. For instance, there are zero features that you can customize in Toolwiz Smart Defrag.
If you're looking for a program that's super simple to use and isn't bogged down with confusing settings or buttons, this program is absolutely perfect.
Toolwiz Smart Defrag works in Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
O&O Defrag Free Edition
What We Like
Defrags can run each time the screensaver comes on
Supports scheduled defragging
Scheduled defrags can be set to not run if fragmentation is too low
The really large system restore point files are moved to slower parts of the disk to increase performance for other files
Produces extremely detailed hard drive reports
What We Don't Like
Doesn't work with Windows 10 or Windows 8
Some features are not free to use, so you'll be prompted to buy the full version
Doesn't let you exclude files from defragmentation
Can't defragment removable hard drives
Unable to defrag during boot up
O&O Defrag Free Edition has an organized and easy to use interface. It supports common features found in similar defrag software, like optimizing a drive, viewing a list of all the fragmented files, and checking a drive for errors.
In addition to scheduling defrags on a weekly basis, you can also configure O&O Defrag Free Edition to start a defrag automatically when the screensaver comes on.
You can optionally run through a Quick configuration wizard to easily set up scheduling or immediately optimize a drive.
Some features are only available in the paid version of O&O Defrag, which means you'll sometimes try to enable a setting only to be told you can't because you're using the free version, which can get irritating.
O&O Defrag Free Edition is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP. I tested the most recent version of both Windows 10 and Windows 8 but wasn't able to get it up and running.
UltraDefrag
What We Like
Includes advanced options but they're hidden away for beginners
Runs on Windows 10 and other Windows versions
Can check a hard drive for errors
It defrags both internal and external hard drives
Lets you defragment individual files and folders, not just entire HDDs
What We Don't Like
Advanced changes require you to edit a configuration file
Scheduled defrags are hard to turn on
Free version is no longer updated
UltraDefrag can be used for novice and advanced users alike — there are common features that everyone can use but also advanced options if you need to make specific changes to the program.
Common functions like repairing, defragging, and optimizing drives are as simple as any of these other programs. However, if you wish to make changes to the program in general or to the boot time defrag option, you have to know how to maneuver around a BAT file.
UltraDefrag is said to run in Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP only, but I was also able to use it in Windows 10.
MyDefrag
What We Like
Includes plenty of advanced options
Works 'out of the box' for people who don't want to customize anything
The interface is really simple and to the point
Able to defrag removable drives and internal ones
What We Don't Like
Can be much harder to use than similar programs
Doesn't work from within Explorer like some defrag tools
The program was last updated in 2010
MyDefrag (formerly JkDefrag) can be both a simple and a rather complex defrag program depending on your needs.
It works be loading and running scripts on one or more drives. Several scripts are included when you first install it, like to defrag on a schedule, analyze a drive, and consolidate free space. The default install is just fine for regular users.
More advanced users can build their own custom scripts, which can actually be very detailed to deeply customize the way MyDefrag works. Information about creating scripts can be found in the online manual.
MyDefrag hasn't been updated since May of 2010, so it only officially supports Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Windows Server 2008 and Server 2003. However, it still works with the newer versions of Windows like Windows 10 and Windows 8.
SpeeDefrag
What We Like
Helps the built-in Disk Defragmenter tool run more quickly
Very simple to use with easy-to-understand options
Lets you defrag the drive even if there's little free space remaining
What We Don't Like
Only relevant for users running Windows Vista or XP
Doesn't include common features found in most defrag tools
Depending on the defrag option you choose, all of your open programs and files will promptly shut down
Tries to install another program during setup
SpeeDefrag isn't actually a defrag program in and of itself. Instead, it shuts down everything you're using except for the built-in defragmenting program provided by Windows (listed below).
The purpose of SpeeDefrag is to speed up the regular defrag functions of Windows Disk Defragmenter. By shutting down unnecessary programs, it can utilize more system resources to make the defrag tool run quicker.
After installing SpeeDefrag, you're given a few options for how you want the task to run. For instance, you can choose to restart and run a defrag and then restart again automatically, or just to run a defrag and then shutdown the computer.
Some features are only available in operating systems prior to Windows 7, such as restarting before a defrag and shutting down open programs. This means SpeeDefrag is really only useful for Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Disk Defragmenter
What We Like
Built-in to Windows; no installation necessary
Easy to use
Can run defrags on a schedule
Defrags internal and external drives
What We Don't Like
Can't defragment locked files (i.e., no boot time defrag option)
Finding the program is different depending on your version of Windows
Disk Defragmenter is the defrag program that already exists in Windows, which means you don't need to download anything to use it. You can set schedules and defragment both internal and external hard drives.
Many of the other defrag programs from this list have many advantages over Disk Defragmenter, such as boot time defrags and optimization features. If using this program, I suggest you couple it with the SpeeDefrag program from above.
In Windows 10 and 8, Disk Defragmenter can be opened from Administrative Tools in the Control Panel. For older versions of Windows, it can be found through the start menu by navigating to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
Disk Defragmenter is also available from the command line with the defragcommand.
Baidu PC Faster's Disk Defrag
What We Like
Very easy to use
Defrags internal and external drives
Can defragment multiple drives consecutively
Includes lots of other, non-defrag tools
What We Don't Like
Missing standard features like scheduling
The other included mini programs are overwhelming if you need just the defrag tool
The program no longer gets updated
Baidu Disk Defrag is a tool provided by Baidu PC Faster, which is a system optimizer program. While it's quick and super easy to use, it doesn't provide any custom or advanced features like scheduling or boot time defrags.
After analyzing one or more drives, you can select all of them at once so it will defragment the first one, then the second, and so on.
Open the defrag program from Toolbox > Disk Defrag.
Baidu's PC Faster tool works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Wise Care 365
What We Like
Supports optimizing and defragmenting the drive
Lets you enable an automatic shutdown for when the defrag finishes
There's a portable option
Includes other programs you might like
What We Don't Like
Can't defrag on a schedule
There are lotsof other programs in addition to the defrag tool
Won't defragment locked files
Wise Care 365 is a collection of system utilities that scans for privacy issues and junk files. One of the tools, in the System Tuneup tab, is used for defragmenting a hard drive.
Select the drive to defragment and then choose Defragment, Full Optimization or Analyze. You can optionally shut down the computer after the defrag has finished. Scheduling defrags with Wise Care 365 is not supported.
Free Ram Program For Windows 10
A portable version is available from within the program (this is explained in the review).
Something I don't like is that a small advertisement about the full version of the program is always displayed in Wise Care 365. Also, some of the features and options are only available in the professional version.
Wise Care 365 can be installed to 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10 through Windows XP.
Memory test software, often called RAM test software, are programs that perform detailed tests of your computer's memory system.
The memory installed in your computer is very sensitive. It's always a good idea to perform a memory test on newly purchased RAM to test for errors. Of course, a memory test is always in order if you suspect that you may have a problem with your existing RAM.
For example, if your computer doesn't boot at all, or if it randomly reboots, you may have some problems with the memory. It's also a good idea to check the memory if programs are crashing, you hear beep codes during a reboot, you're seeing error messages like 'illegal operation,' or if you're getting BSODs—some may read 'fatal exception' or 'memory_management.'
All of the freeware memory testing programs listed function from outside of Windows, meaning each will work no matter if you have Windows (10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, etc.), Linux, or any PC operating system. Also, remember that the term memory here means RAM, not the hard drive—see these hard drive testing tools to test your HDD.
If your memory tests fail, replace the memory immediately. The memory hardware in your computer is not repairable and must be replaced if it fails.
MemTest86
What We Like
Completely free.
Runs from a flash drive.
Easy to use.
Supports up to 64 GB of RAM.
Used by professionals.
Free Up Ram Program
What We Don't Like
If you're new to programs like this one, the advanced features can be confusing.
Doesn't work from a disc.
Memtest86 is a completely free, stand-alone, and extremely easy to use memory test software program. If you only have time to try one memory test tool on this page, try MemTest86.
Simply download the program from MemTest86's site and put it on a flash drive. After that, just boot from the USB drive and you're off.
While this RAM test is free, PassMark also sells a Pro version, but unless you're a hardware developer, the free download and free basic support available from me and on their website should be enough.
I highly recommend MemTest86! It's my favorite tool for testing RAM, without a doubt.
MemTest86 doesn't need an operating system to run a memory test. However, it does require an OS to copy the program to a USB device. This can be done using any version of Windows, as well as with Mac or Linux.
Windows Memory Diagnostic
What We Like
Runs the memory test completely automatically.
100 percent free to use.
Originally provided by Microsoft.
Downloads quickly because of the small file size.
What We Don't Like
Hasn't been updated in a very long time.
Tests only the first 4 GB of RAM.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is a free memory tester provided by Microsoft. Very similar to other RAM test programs, Windows Memory Diagnostic performs a series of extensive tests to determine what, if anything, is wrong with your computer memory.
Just download the installer program and then follow the instructions to create a bootable floppy disk or ISO image for burning to a disc or flash drive.
After booting from whatever it is you made, Windows Memory Diagnostic will automatically begin testing the memory and will repeat the tests until you stop them.
If the first set of tests finds no errors, chances are your RAM is good.
You do not need to have Windows (or any operating system) installed to use Windows Memory Diagnostic. You do, however, need access to one for burning the ISO image to the disc or USB device.
Memtest86+
What We Like
A free memory test program.
Provides a confirmation to the original Memtest86 software.
What We Don't Like
Like these other memory test tools, this one is entirely text-based and so might be hard to get used to for some people.
Memtest86+ is a modified, and presumably more up-to-date, version of the original Memtest86 memory test program, profiled in the #1 position above. Memtest86+ is also completely free.
I would recommend performing a memory test with Memtest86+ if you have any problems running the Memtest86 RAM test or if Memtest86 reports errors with your memory and you'd like a really good second opinion.
Memtest86+ is available in ISO format for burning to disc or USB.
It might seem a bit strange that we rank Memtest86+ as the #3 pick, but since it's so incredibly similar to Memtest86, your best bet is to try Memtest86 followed by WMD, which operates differently, providing you with a more well-rounded set of memory tests.
Just like with Memtest86, you'll need a working operating system like Windows, Mac, or Linux to create the bootable disc or flash drive, which can be done on a different computer than the one that needs testing.
DocMemory Memory Diagnostic
What We Like
No strings attached, free memory test program.
Perfect if your computer won't boot to a disc or flash drive.
What We Don't Like
Requires a floppy disk.
Hasn't been updated since 2006.
SimmTester.com's DocMemory Memory Diagnostic is yet another computer memory test program and works very similarly to the other programs we've listed above.
One major disadvantage of using DocMemory is that it requires that you create a bootable floppy disk. Most computers today don't even have floppy drives. The better memory test programs (above) use bootable discs like CDs and DVDs, or bootable USB drives, instead.
We'd recommend using DocMemory Memory Diagnostic only if the memory testers listed above don't work for you or if you'd like yet one more confirmation that your memory has failed.
On the other hand, if your computer isn't able to boot a disc or USB drive, which is what the above programs require, DocMemory Memory Diagnostic may be exactly what you've been looking for.
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