Disk defragmentation
Disk defragmentation
(also defrag)
Disk defragmentation definition
Disk defragmentation refers to the process of consolidating fragmented files on a computer’s hard drive. When there isn’t enough contiguous space on a disk to save an entire file, files become fragmented. Disk defragmentation reverses this process by moving the data blocks around until they form a complete file.
Disk defragmentation explained
- File fragmentation is when files are scattered throughout the hard drive instead of in one location.
- Fragmentation occurs naturally over time. When files are deleted from a hard drive, small gaps remain. When you save a new file, it fills some of these gaps. If the gaps are too small to save the entire file, the remainder of the file is stored in other available gaps.
- Defragmentation reverses the breaking up of each file when saving it to your hard drive.
- Defragmentation rearranges the data blocks on the hard drive to reunite the fragmented files and bring a complete file together.
- Most devices defragment disk space automatically on a regular basis or prevent file fragmentation. However, you can also defragment your hard disk using third-party defragmentation software.
Benefits of disk defragmenting
- Faster file access. Defragmentation helps users access files faster.
- Improved performance. Because defragmentation helps retrieve data more efficiently, it improves the overall performance of the device.
Further reading
See also: analog computer