Defragmentation software: What is it? Advantages & Disadvantages

Since computers store information in various places on your computer (called fragmentation) it becomes difficult for the computer to perform quickly when this information is stored throughout the hard drive. For this reason, there are defragmentation tools that take the informational pieces from opposite ends of the computer and put them in more accessible “files” or blocks. A defragmentation tool picks up information that is randomly placed on the computer and puts it in more organized blocks of space leaving more free space on your hard drive. Computers do not automatically store information into organized places on the computer but rather the first available free space it can find.

Using a defragmentation tool speeds up your computer and helps it to run more efficiently. There is normally a built in defragmentation tool on most computers with Windows 2000 and newer. This defragmenting tool is called Diskeeper Defragmenter. There are other programs which are available which do a more detailed type of defragmentation including scheduled defrags and defragmentation that only searches for files that have not already been defragmented. Which you use is entirely up to you but they all do basic defragmenting. These tools are specifically designed to pick up the information (fragments) on your computer and rearrange them into a more organized block of information.

Since fragmentation happens every time we use the computer, it is recommended that you use a defragmentation tool on a regular basis such as monthly. If you use your computer a lot you can use it as often as weekly but using the defragmentation tool more often than that is not recommended.

You can use the built in system in your computer or you can download freeware or purchase more intense defragmentation tools. The standard built in tool is good, but it is limited. Because many people do not understand the importance of defragmentation tools, they wait a long time to first defragment or too long between defragmentation. If your computer has had extensive use without using a defragmentation tool it may take hours to complete the first defrag. This is especially true with the built in defrag tools. After you first defragment, it doesn’t take as long on successive uses if you use it regularly.

Because the hard drive has no moving parts and that is where information is stored, the fragmentation of a computer is often what causes freeze ups and crashes. Once the system is defragmented and frees up space on the hard drive, your computer will run much more efficiently. If you have had your computer quite a while and have never defragmented you might consider purchasing a quicker and more extensive version of a defragmentation tool but it is not imperative. Defragmentation tools keep the computer’s information more organized and accessible when needed and is good for the overall health of any computer. Regular defragmentation can extend the life of the computer. When you defrag the computer, you may need to disable your fire wall which could prevent or slow down the defragmentation process.