Vopt

Infobox_Software
name = Vopt 8



caption= Screenshot of Vopt 8.18
developer = Golden Bow Systems
latest_release_version = 9.04
latest_release_date = 2008
operating_system = Windows
genre = Defragmentation
license = Proprietary
website = http://www.vopt.com/
Vopt (pronounced "vee-opt") is a Windows defragmentation utility sold by Golden Bow Systems ["I use the "VOPT" program from Golden Bow Systems to rearrange the files on my fragmented disks." in "Supercharging Windows" by Judd Robbins, pg 625 - Sybex 1992 (ISBN ISBN 0895888629);
"A Faster Hard Drive' by Steve Bass, Australian PC World [http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;631050871;fp;2;fpid;1800810227;pf;1 23 April 2007] ;
[http://www.pctoday.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/t0202/26t02/26t02.asp&guid= Defragment Your Hard Drive] in "PC Today" February 2004, Vol.2 Issue 2 Page(s) 78-80 ] . It is one of the oldest defragmentation products, and has supported MS-DOS and all versions of Microsoft Windows [ [http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com/open_archives/jep_column-318-b.php Chaos Manor Users Choice Awards] January 2007: "For about the twentieth year in a row the Chaos Manor Users Choice Award for disk defragmenter goes to Golden Bow's "VOPT"." -- Jerry Pournelle; and "Vopt" is very, very FAST. Golden Bow Systems has a winner here. No choice." in "Dr. Dobb's Journal" v.13 no.7-12 1988] . The convenience of quick processing time is offset by less optimal performance, but when used in conjunction with the built-in optimization of the Windows prefetch folder, system performance is maintained without major reorganization all the files on the drive.

Features

The aim of any defragger is to reduce or eliminate file fragmentation, and thereby improve the performance of the file system. "Vopt" achieves this by means of the following features:

* Fast defragmentation algorithm ["... If you are looking for even faster defragmentation, Golden Bow's (www.vopt.com) VoptXP (which also supports Windows 9x, Me, and 2000) is a longtime favorite because of its incredible speed and efficiency. ..." in "Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows" Scott Mueller, Brian Knittel, page 512] when compared to the Windows Defragmenter ["Disk Organizer "Vopt" Is something of a miracle. It performs Its disk reorganization chores In seconds, Instead of the minutes and even hours ..." in "Personal Computing" Magazine v.11 no.7-9 1987. "VoptXP" is the fastest defragmenter of the lot, probably because ..." in "PC Today" Software Reviews February 2004. "Vopt" 8.20 is a fast and easy to use defragmenter ..." in CHIP magazine, 2007]
* Optionally cleans up cookies, internet cache, temporary files and recycle bin before defrag. This saves time and allows for more efficient file placement.
* Information display shows largest, fragmented, and locked files, to assist in problem solving
* Can be run at startup, so that recently fragmented files are processed in a few minutes, keeping the system well organised. ["You can use the Schedule Tool to tell it to run at Startup, and it's so fast it will be done if you turn on your computer and go get a cup of coffee." published in "The Great Defrag Shootout III: Golden Bow Vopt 8.18", May 2007]

This combination of features is not shared by other defrag programs, and "Vopt" fills a niche in the defragger market not addressed by its competitors. As such it has earned the recommendation and endorsement of reviewers and industry analysts alike. In "Computing At Chaos Manor", Jerry Pournelle writes:

I differ from some of the pundits over disk defragmentation. I think it helps, particularly on laptops where you aren’t likely to have a lot of extra disk space. The defragmenter I recommend is "VOPT" from Golden Bow, but anyone who has been reading this column for long knows that. I have been using "VOPT" for two decades, and I have never lost a byte of data from doing it. The first time you run "VOPT" it can take a long time. After that it's faster. I am sure there are faster defragmenters, but I am even more sure there is no safer defragmenter. [ [http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com/open_archives/jep_column-321-c.php Computing At Chaos Manor] April 17, 2007]

I am not entirely fond of the [Vopt8] interface, but the program has new capabilities. Disk defragmentation isn't as important in these days of enormous disks as it used to be, but it's still worth doing: among other advantages, programs that have been defragmented load faster, and there's less wear on the disk drive. Drives run cooler, and that may be important in hot weather. I use "VOPT" regularly even when my disks are not full. Highly recommended. ["Computing At Chaos Manor" [http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com/open_archives/jep_column-318-b.php January 9, 2007] ]

Version 7 is the only commercially available defrag program still supporting 16-bit Windows. Users upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows XP have been able to retain the use of their existing package. Version 8 works with NTFS-compatible versions of Windows, using the built-in File defrag API. Version 3.0 supports NT.

Windows gives you two tools for maintaining your hard drive and helping its performance. ... Check Disk and Defrag aren't the best tools available for maintaining your hard drive. You can find better versions of these tools in third-party utilities ... another good alternative for the Defrag tool is "Vopt" ("Vee-Opt") from Golden Bow Systems [Chapter 23 "Troubleshooting Your PC For Dummies" by Dan Gookin (2005) page 309-310] .

ee also

*File system fragmentation
*Defragmentation
*List of defragmentation software

Notes and references

* "Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows" by Scott Mueller and Brian Knittel (2005) - Que (ISBN 0-789734-036)
* Chapter 23 "Troubleshooting Your PC For Dummies" by Dan Gookin (2005) - For Dummies (ISBN 0-764577-425)
* "Supercharging Windows" by Judd Robbins, pg 625 - Sybex 1992 (ISBN ISBN 0-895888-629)