What Is A Disk Defragmenter?

Date First Published: 3rd September 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Software

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 6/10

Learn about what a disk defragmenter is in this article.

A disk defragmenter is a software utility that analyses the hard disk and regroups any data so that data related to the same file is in the same location on the hard disk drive. This will help improve the system performance as files that are fragmented (broken up into small pieces possibly far away from each other to fit onto the hard disk) will take longer to read and write. Disk defragmentation reverses the fragmentation process by moving the data blocks around until they form a whole file.

A good example of a free disk defragmenter is Microsoft Drive Optimiser, which is used to increase data access speed by reorganising files stored on a hard disk. Depending on the size of the hard disk, disk defragmentation can take several hours to complete. The computer can still be used during the defragmentation process, but the defragmenter can slow down other applications as system resources are used during the process.

Computers running Microsoft Windows require regular disk defragmentation. Unix and Linux-based computers do not require it because they have a different design for storing data, even if the same hardware is used. Disk defragmenters were introduced to solve the issue of files becoming fragmented on a hard disk and solid-state drives (SSDs) do not require defragmentation. Sometimes, hard disks use automatic schedulers for regular defragmentation, usually once a month.

Benefits Of Using A Disk Defragmenter

The benefits of using a disk defragmenter are:

• Files stay organised. Defragmentation reorganises files stored on a hard disk, resulting in improved hard disk speed, since files will load more quickly. If it has been a long time since files have been defragmented, users may notice that it greatly speeds up their computers.
• It frees unused space. Although a disk defragmenter does not delete any files, if bits of data are left over from unused files, a disk defragmenter can remove this and create more usable space.
• It can extend the hard disk life. Since defragmentation keeps the files organised, the mechanical and spinning components of a hard disk are not used as much as they used to be. This is because the components have to travel less distance when all the data is in one place compared to when small pieces of data are scattered around the hard disk.
• It can improve the security of computers. When an antivirus scans a computer, it will take less time to scan it when the hard disk is less fragmented, helping it to detect threats more quickly.

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