You've more than likely heard the word "defrag". But what does it mean and should you pay any attention to it. It's hard to pay any attention to it if you have no idea what it is, why you should do it and what benefits are involved. Let's have a look.
"defragmentation (or defragging) is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk in order to store the pieces of each file close together and in order (contiguously)."
"Reading and writing data on a heavily fragmented file system is slowed down as the time needed for the disk heads to move between fragments, and waiting for the disk platter to rotate into position, is increased.
For many common operations, the performance bottleneck of the entire computer is the hard disk; thus the desire to process more efficiently encourages defragmentation. Operating system vendors often recommend periodic defragmentation in order to keep disk access speed from degrading over time." - source wikipedia
So it's obvious that regular defragmentation of your hard drive is desirable. You should aim to do this every couple of months, depending on the amount computer usage. Follow the steps below to defrag your hard drive.
1. From your desktop click on the Start button and select Run
2. Type dfrg.msc in the blank field. This will open the Disk Defragmenter window.
3. On the bottom left side of this screen is a button called Defragment. Click on it. The first phase Disk Defragmenter performs is analysing your hard drive to determine whether or not your hard drive needs to be defragmented. If it does it will start the second phase automatically which is to defrag your hard drive. If your hard drive does not need defraging then a message will display so. Try again in a couple of months.
4. When defragmentation has completed put the next run in your calendar so you do not forget.
Well I hope this has increased your knowledge Disk Defragmentation and maintaining your computer in a optimum state.
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