The files that are stored on a computer’s hard drive are not saved in their entirety, but in small chunks . Our operating system (for example, Windows) knows the location of these fragments and is responsible for managing access to them. However, with the passage of time and regular use of a computer, files are deleted, moved, and new ones are added. This movement of files makes the fragments out of order; for this reason, every time Windows needs a greater effort to find them, having as a main consequence a slowdown of the system.
In this article we will see how to solve this problem answering this question: What is a disk defragmenter?
What is defragmenting the hard drive
Defragmentation of a hard disk is the process by which the files on the disk are reorganized, allowing the operating system to access them faster. During the defragmentation process, fragments of a file are copied to the memory of the computer and then moved to a free place on the disk with the intention of grouping them.
Speed up the computer
This is one of the main advantages that defragmentation brings. By ordering the file fragments, placing them contiguously, the operating system can read the data faster, making it work more agile and fluid .
Reclaim space
Another advantage is that, during the defragmentation process where the files (their fragments) are ordered, it is possible to gain free space within the disk. Normally the recovered space is not much, but depending on the number of files and the degree of fragmentation, the recovered space can be significant.
How to defragment the disk
To defragment a hard disk, you must use a specific application that is responsible for locating the fragments in an orderly manner. Windows 10, for example, incorporates a defragmentation tool, although third-party applications can also be used to perform this task.
To access the Windows 10 defragmenter you have to go to Settings and look in the search box ‘defragment’. We execute Defragment and Optimize units and we will access the tool to defragment the units that the system has.
Once in the defragmentation program, all you have to do is select the drive and press the ‘optimize’ button to start the process (depending on the degree of fragmentation, this task will take more or less time).
Entering Advanced C onfiguration it is possible to set a schedule for the operating system itself to perform automatic and periodic defragmentation of the disks.
Defragment the disk with external tools
There are numerous tools on the market to perform drive defragmentation. Among them we can highlight:
- Defraggler.
- Smart Defrag.
- Disk Speedup.
- Diskeeper.
- MyDefrag.
If a computer uses a mechanical disk as a storage unit, you will notice that as time passes some tasks begin to slow down. This is due to the system that Windows uses to save files in a fragmented way. The different fragments of the files end up disordered due to the habitual use of the computer.
Now that you know what it is to defragment the disk, you will be able to optimize the space on your computer and improve its response speed.
