WHAT IS DISK DEFRAGMENTATION IN COMPUTER?
What is disk defragmenter and how does it work?When a program saves a file on a disk, it puts the file into an empty space on the disk. … Disk defragmentation takes all the pieces of each file, and stores them in one place. It also makes sure programs are each in one place, and that unused space on the hard disk is all together.
Disk Defragmenter in Windows rearranges fragmented data so your disks and drives can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also analyze and defragment your disks and drives manually.
Defragmentation is the process of consolidating fragmented files on the user’s hard drive. Files become fragmented when data is written to disk, and there is not enough contiguous space to hold the complete file. Storage algorithms break the data apart so that it will fit into the available space.
The process of defragmentation moves the data blocks on the hard drive around to bring all the parts of a file together. Defragmentation reduces file system fragmentation, increasing the efficiency of data retrieval and thereby improving the overall performance of the computer. At the same time, it cleans the storage and provides additional storage capacity.
Defragmentation is the opposite of fragmentation, which is an inefficient use of computer storage.
Fragmentation occurs gradually as users change, save, or delete files. The saved modifications for a file are usually stored at a hard drive location that is different from that of the original file. Supplementary modifications are stored to even more locations. Gradually, both the file and the hard drive become fragmented, and the computer becomes very slow as it needs to search in various places to open a file.
Windows-based computers require periodic defragmentation; Unix and Linux-based computers do not because of a different design for storing data, even if the same hardware is used. Microsoft Windows provides a proprietary defragmenting tool within its OS. Third-party versions also are available.
Back-end processes such as reading and writing storage media are always invisible to users, who are unable to continuously defragment storage devices because of the impact this has on a system’s rhythm
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Defragmentation tools were introduced to eliminate this issue and are preinstalled in different versions of the Windows OS. These built-in defragmenters rearrange the hard drive data and reunite the fragmented files, which helps the computer to run more efficiently. A hard drive uses automatic schedulers for periodic defragmentation. In addition, users may use tools for storage media defragmentation, such as:
- Microsoft Windows 98: This OS contains a built-in defragmentation tool available via the system’s Tools menu.
- Microsoft Windows NT: This OS was released without a defragmenter tool because its new technology file system (NTFS) was designed for automatic system defragmentation. However, third-party defragmentation tools are often used.
- Microsoft Windows 2000: This OS is equipped with defragmentation tools, which are more efficient than those found in earlier Windows operating systems.
- Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 7: These operating systems contain default disk defragmentation tools.
Techniques to reduce defragmentation include partitioning and optimization, which allow users to create logical OS hard drives. Programs such as Internet Explorer and databases should be partitioned separately to reduce potential storage media fragmentation.
I am sure many of you have been told in the past to defrag your hard drives when you have noticed a slow down on your computer. You may have followed the advice and defragged your hard drive, and actually noticed a difference. Have you ever wondered why defragging helps though? This tutorial will discuss what Disk Fragmentation is and how you can optimize your hard drive’s partitions by defragmenting them for better performance.
Defragmentation, also known as “defrag” or “defragging” is the process of reorganizing the data stored on the hard drive so that related pieces of data are put back together, all lined up in a continuous fashion. You could say that defragmentation is like cleaning house for your server or PC, it picks up all of the pieces of data that are spread across your hard drive and puts them back together again.
Regularly running the Disk Defragmenter utility improves system performance. When the computer saves files, it fragments the files into pieces and saves the pieces in various locations on the hard drive. Windows takes longer to access files because it requires additional disk drive reads to find the pieces.
The process of finding and consolidating fragmented files is called defragmentation. Disk Defragmenter consolidates the fragments to one location on the disk drive. As a result, Windows accesses files faster, and new files are less likely to be fragmented.
The next steps explain how to run Disk Defragmenter in the Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. The final step explains how to troubleshoot unexpected conditions with Disk Defragmenter.
How to defrag your hard drive
Unless you’re using an SSD, your system will eventually suffer from performance loss when the data stored on your hard drive becomes fragmented. There’s no reason to worry when this happens – defragging your hard drive is a simple fix.
Hard disk drives fragment data because they are random by nature. Consisting of an actuator, platter, spindle, actuator arm, and read/write head (among other parts), hard drives work by storing and seeking out information on a rotating disk.
When data is written (stored), it’s written to the first empty portion of the drive that the write head can access. When a hard disk drive has written a significant amount of data, the empty portions become rarer. It becomes harder and harder for the drive to find all the information or programs you want it to access in a timely manner. By defragmenting your hard drive, you are asking the computer to consolidate the information in one area of the drive. This will allow the drive to find information faster and find open portions to write new information faster.
The best way to defrag your hard drive is to use the Microsoft® Windows® Disk Defragmenter utility. Follow these quick steps to defrag your hard drive.
How to defragment your Windows 8/7/Vista/10 PC
Method 1: Allow Disk Defragmenter to run automatically
Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista®, and Widows 10 are built with an updated Disk Defragmenter utility, which automatically performs periodic defrags. Unless you need to perform a manual defrag, you don’t have to do anything – just let it run!
If you want to change when Disk Defragmenter runs, follow these steps:
- Click the Start menu or Windows button
- Select Control Panel,thenSystem and Security
- UnderAdministrative Tools, clickDefragment your hard drive
- Click Configure schedule…
- Select the schedule you want. Pick a date and time that the computer will be on but no one is typically using it. The computer can be asleep.
- Click OK
Method 2: Manually run Disk Defragmenter
To run Disk Defragmenter manually, it’s usually best to analyze the disk first.
- Click the Start menu or Windows button
- Select Control Panel, then System and Security
- Under Administrative Tools, click Defragment your hard drive
- Select Analyze disk. The report you get will indicate if you need to defrag your disk.
- If you need to manually defrag your disk, click Defragment disk
Run Disk Defragmenter
- Click Start, click All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.
- In the User Account Control window, click Continue.
- In the Disk Defragmenter window, select or deselect Run on a schedule. Depending on your usage habits, schedule Disk Defragmenter to run weekly or monthly. (To change the defragmentation schedule, click the Modify schedule button, select the desired schedule options, and click OK.).
- Click Defragment Now.
- After the defragmentation is complete, click Close.
Run Disk Defragmenter
- Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click to select Disk Defragmenter to display the Disk Defragmenter window.
- From the Disk Defragmenter window, click to highlight the drive to be defragmented.
- Click Defragment. Depending on the size of the drive, it may take several minutes for the defragmentation process to complete. Do not open any other programs at this time.
- When the Disk Defragmenter window appears after the defragment process is complete, click Close.
Troubleshooting Disk Defragmenter
If you encounter problems running Disk Defragmenter, try the following:
- Exit other programs before beginning disk defragmentation, including programs running in the background.
- Disconnect from the Internet and then turn off anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.
- Log on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run Disk Defragmenter.
- Check to see if the computer is on a network. Network policy may prevent you from running Disk Defragmenter. Remove the computer from the network to correct this condition.
- Ensure that the hard disk being defragmented has at least 15% free space.
IMPORTANCE OF DISK DEFRAGMENTATION
Defragmentation is important,because every computer suffers from the constant growth of fragmentation and if you don’t “clean house”, your servers and PCs suffer. and run slowly, without defragmentation, processes in our computers would not move smoothly and efficiently.Regularly
running the Disk Defragmenter utility improves system performance. When the computer saves files, it fragments the files into pieces and saves the pieces in various locations on the hard drive. Windows takes longer to access files because it requires additional disk drive reads to find the pieces.
Disk Defragmenter consolidates the fragments to one location on the disk drive. As a result, Windows accesses files faster, and new files are less likely to be fragmented.
In my next post,i will take you through the process of disk defragmentation,the process will help you to maintain your computer always and constantly.
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