Defragmentation - The Easiest Way To Speed Up Your Machine
The process of defragmentation has been popular since the early DOS days. It was initially known as “Optimize.” This was a third party utility that was shipped with the former versions of DOS.
‘Defrag’ became a key function with MS-DOS 5/6. It was quicker than ‘Optimize’, had a Semi-GUI interface, and you could actually perceive improvements in the performance of your computer after running it. This option has improved over time.
What does Defragmentation achieve?
Defragmentation (or defragging) is a process that aids in reducing the amount of fragmentation in the file systems of your computer. The computer achieves this by physically rearranging the contents of the disk in order to stock up the pieces of each file in a proper order. It also tries to create huge regions of free space using compaction to hold back the return of disintegration.
Defragmentation reduces the time required for reading and writing data on the file system. For many general operations, the performance bottleneck of the whole computer is the hard disk; thus the need to deal more professionally encourages defragmentation. Operating system merchants often advocate periodic defragmentation in order to keep disk access speed from lessening over time.
How does Fragmentation happen?
Fragmentation takes place when the operating system is unable to apportion suitable apace to store a file as a single unit and instead stores it in bits and pieces as gaps between other files. Nowadays, large disk drives are available and as a result, the loss of performance due to fragmentation is also increased. Loss of performance can occur due to the increase in the number and size of the files. Defragmentation endeavors to lessen these problems.
A defragmentation program needs to move files around within the available free space available in an attempt to undo fragmentation. However, you must keep in mind that in defragmentation does not change logical location of the files. Another way to lessen the effect of fragmentation is to partition the hard disk in a manner so as to separate partitions of the file system that go through more reads than writes from the more volatile region where files are created and deleted regularly.
The existence of fixed system files, especially a swap file, can hamper defragmentation. These files can be carefully moved when the operating system is not in use.
Benefits Of Defragmentation
May be you are aware that some people tweak their systems to enhance its performance. One way is to move settings and alter the registry. But that can prove to be very fatal. Unless you are an expert, you must not try your hand at this. The easiest way is to defragment your hard disk.
Defragmenting your computer is not too difficult. This option can be located in Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ Disk Defragment.
Frequently defragmenting your machine enhances your hard drive performance. It also helps in fixing corrupted files on your computer. The whole process may take an hour or so but believe me: the effort is worth the trouble.
A proper maintenance schedule wouldn't be complete without a disk defragmentation. You must run a disk defragmentation at least once a month. Majority of the people run the defragmentation in normal mode.
However, to get the best results, you must reboot the machine in safe mode before running the defragmentation option. Additionally, you must run the disk cleanup application as well. This program will take care of getting rid of temporary files, including temporary files from the Internet.
Running the defragmentation program gathers the fragments of all the programs and arranges them in the right order. As a result, the hard disk is able to find whatever it is looking for far more easily and at a comparatively lesser time. The programs also get loaded faster. The overall performance of your PC improves.
