Diskeeper Corporation has released a brand new version of its commercial defragmentation utility. Diskeeper 2011 comes in three editions for home users depending on computer use: Home for light users, Pro for everyday use, and ProPremier for high-end, heavy users. All three editions feature two major new features – IntelliWrite fragmentation-prevention technology and InstantDefrag, which anticipates which files are about to be accessed and defrags them if necessary.

Also new in Diskeeper 2011 is a Performance Report for each drive that clearly states how much gains have been made by the program’s optimisation, while Pro and ProPremier users also get two additional features: Efficient Mode, which cuts overheads by prioritising “problem” files that require urgent fragmentation, plus a new engine for consolidating free space.

A major new feature in Diskeeper 2011 is its IntelliWrite technology. This aims to reduce fragmentation from occurring in the first place by trying to ensure files are written to a single, contiguous place on the hard drive as they’re created and subsequently edited. Diskeeper estimates this helps prevent up to 85 per cent of fragmentation, improving performance and helping extend the lifespan of the drive by reducing the number of read/write operations required.

Another new time-saving feature is InstantDefrag, which aims to understand how files are being used. This allows it to anticipate and then defrag files that are about to be accessed, including those files not processed by IntelliWrite.

Both features combine to not just reduce the load on the drive, but also to reduce Diskeeper’s overall demands on the system, making it less noticeable and intrusive in action. This load is reduced further in Pro and ProPremier editions of Diskeeper 11 thanks to Efficient Mode’s targeting of badly fragmented files.

Trial versions of Diskeeper 2011 Home ($39.95), Pro ($59.95) and ProPremier ($99.95) are available for free download now, and come with a trial of HyperFast included, which is designed to optimise solid-state hard drives to help extend their lifespan.