To Defrag or Not to Defrag!

In order to really understand the defrag process, we must first look at the makeup of a hard drive. Your hard drive has sections that are called "sectors" or "clusters", these clusters are like little compartments that store data. The typical size for each cluster is 512 bytes, but this size may vary.

When we look at files and documents, we see them as one single unit. However, due to the size restrictions of the clusters, windows often has to use several clusters just to store one file. In other words, if your document is 512 bytes or less, it will all be saved on one cluster. But, if your file is larger, windows will need to separate it and store it in several or even many clusters.

These clusters don't need to be situated side by side, windows will randomly select empty clusters in which to save the file or parts of the file. Then, windows will remember where the parts of the files are stored and the order in which they go and re-connects them when you open the file.

Over time when as you delete or move files and folders these clusters are re-used over and over. They file parts eventually get spread farther and farther apart and although, windows won't forget where the parts are, it will take longer to find them in order to open the file!

When windows has to search for all of these "fragmented" files it causes your hard drive work harder. And, as your hard drive becomes more fragmented you will probably even see a noticeable difference in the time it takes to open certain files.

All operating systems have some type of defrag utility and usually you can even set it to run at scheduled times. Running the defrag utility that is included with your operating system will re-connect all the file parts. Defrag scans your hard drive and literally reorganises all of the data saved on your system!

Defrag will locate all the various parts of one file and put them together in consecutive order side by side! This way when you open a file, windows will be able to quickly find the parts and not have to scan over your hard drive to find them.

The subject of defragging has conflicting ideas depending on whom you talk to. While some computer tech's will recommend that you defrag on a regular basis, others will tell you to use it as a last resort!

The frequency in which you should defrag depends on several factors. If you have an older system that is already slow, you may want to defrag on a more regular basis. At the same time, even if your system is slow, if you don't delete or move a lot of files, you can defrag less often!

The time it will take you to run a complete defrag on your hard drive will also vary. If you have a smaller hard drive or one that is not packed full of data, the process will be quicker. But, if you have one of the large hard drives available today, the defrag process could literally take hours!

There are several free defrag programs that can be downloaded and installed. Some of these programs claim to run the defrag process quicker than the typical defrag utility included with your operating system.

Whether you decide to use the defrag in your system tools or download a different version, defragging is an important part of keeping your computer running at it's best and fastest speed!

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