What is defragmenting?

Files and programs become more fragmented every time they are accessed, removed, installed and overwritten. If a file is fragmented it means parts of that file are stored all over the hard drive, and they take longer to open because the computer has to search in multiple locations to find that file. Defragmentation involves putting files back together in sequential order – so basically putting all the files bits and pieces back in one location for faster access.

Huh? Please break down what Defragmentation is a little more…

• Imagine your computer’s hard-drive as a big building of boxes.
• A Microsoft Word file for example such as “Resume.docx” is stored in 6 boxes.
• If the file is not fragmented all those 6 boxes will be right next to each other so it’s easy to access them.
• If the file is fragmented you could have 2 boxes in the basement, 1 in the kitchen, 2 more in the bedroom and the last 1 in the shower. So if we want “Resume.docx” we will have to go all over the house to get it – which obviously takes longer than it would having the 6 boxes in the one place.
• Defragmentation is the process of putting all the boxes related to a file right next to each other.

Why should I defragment my computer?

Defragmenting makes it easier and faster for your computer to access files, so one way to speed up your computer is to defragment your computer’s hard-drive.

How do I defragment my computer?

You can get a hold of programs that can defragment your computer, but if you’re running a Windows Operating System you can use in in-built utility program called Disk Defragmenter.

To open Disk Defragmenter follow these steps:

1. Click on Start;



2. Click All Programs;



3. Click Accessories;



4. Select System Tools;



5. Click Disk Defragmenter



6. A window will pop-up and it will have a Defragment button, click it and your computer will start defragmenting.

Defragmenting can take awhile and depends on the size of your hard-drive, the total number of files, how fragmented the files are and how much space you have used. It can take a couple hours so I recommend you run disk defragmenter when you are not busy with the computer.

Still need more help defragmenting your computer, check out the article How to Defrag your Computer

Hope I helped,