Why does Defrag need Admin rights?

[RichardCranium]

Every ClientCo I've been on where there's been Windows NT / 2000 / XP the Windows Defrag has been unavailable because you have to have admin rights to run it. Also, every one of these machines has had half a dozen profiles on it, shedloads of temporary files, and desperate need for a general tidy up and defrag.

Why are PCs configured such that the user cannot run the Windows Defrag?

[SupremeSpod]

Every ClientCo I've been on where there's been Windows NT / 2000 / XP the Windows Defrag has been unavailable because you have to have admin rights to run it. Also, every one of these machines has had half a dozen profiles on it, shedloads of temporary files, and desperate need for a general tidy up and defrag.

Why are PCs configured such that the user cannot run the Windows Defrag?

Now, why do you think a program that shuffles bits of data on a hard disk should be restricted to admin?

[Mich the Tester]

Every ClientCo I've been on where there's been Windows NT / 2000 / XP the Windows Defrag has been unavailable because you have to have admin rights to run it. Also, every one of these machines has had half a dozen profiles on it, shedloads of temporary files, and desperate need for a general tidy up and defrag.

Why are PCs configured such that the user cannot run the Windows Defrag?

Because in any organisation larger than 3 people a legion of jobsworths is employed to prevent you doing anything worthwhile.

Funny how the same answer can be used for multiple questions.

[RichardCranium]

Now, why do you think a program that shuffles bits of data on a hard disk should be restricted to admin?

To make the people with admin rights feel important?

[SupremeSpod]

To make the people with admin rights feel important?

You've got it!

[kandr]

Now, why do you think a program that shuffles bits of data on a hard disk should be restricted to admin?

What like copying/moving/deleting files, that isn't restricted and that changes the logical layout of the file system, whereas defragging shouldn't

[SupremeSpod]

What like copying/moving/deleting files, that isn't restricted and that changes the logical layout of the file system, whereas defragging shouldn't

Have a think about what defragging a disk does to "so-called" deleted files...

Learn a little about computer hardware and file-systems then come back to me.

[kandr]

Have a think about what defragging a disk does to "so-called" deleted files...

Learn a little about computer hardware and file-systems then come back to me.

It removes any trace of them, so they can't be undeleted? But so to would copying loads of files, after deleting. The free space would be used. I can kinda see your point though, although once a file is deleted (not recycled) all bets are off whether you can recover it.

[SupremeSpod]

It removes any trace of them, so they can't be undeleted? But so to would copying loads of files, after deleting. The free space would be used. I can kinda see your point though, although once a file is deleted (not recycled) all bets are off whether you can recover it.

Not exactly true, specialist equipment can recover data sometimes.

[Mich the Tester]

Maybe RC needs to permanently remove the cookies from his pron surfing.