Disk Defragmentation - Why and How?

Computer memory contains files. These files may be in the form of PDF, Word Document, Power Point Presentation, Application, and many others. As time flows, a user will add more files as well as delete some files. Adding and deleting files will cause the magnetic field in the hard disk to be unorganized. This is called fragmentation.

Fragmentation is a state where a file is broken into pieces, thus making it harder(slower) to be accessed.

Alright, let's assume that you are feeling that your files are in this state. What should you do to settle this?

The answer is by doing defragmentation.
Disk Defragmentation, as its name said, is done to rearrange parts of broken files so that the files will be better-organized, enabling users to access the files more quickly.

In Windows Operating System (XP or higher versions), you can easily defrag your hard disks by using the built-in Disk Defragmenter utility.

Please note that I am using Windows Vista Ultimate, the steps may vary from other versions.

There are three methods:

First Method

1. Click Start>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter
2. A window like this will be brought up:
  
3.  Click the "Defragment now" button to proceed.
4. Wait until the process completes. It may take minutes to hours, please be patient. It's worth waiting because after the defragmentation your files will be more organized and easier to access.

Second Method

1. Click Start>Run
2. Type in "dfrgui.exe" (without quotes)
3. Click the "Defragment now" button.
4. Wait for the process to complete.

Third Method

1. Click Start>Run
2. Type in "cmd" (without quotes)
3. Type in "defrag -c"   (without quotes) and press Enter.

4. Wait for the defragmentation to finish.

You should defragment your computer at least every 4-6 months to keep your computer in good state.


Thank you for reading. Hope this helps.
Cyber Frost