What is defragmentation of files on a disk. Everything about computer hard drive fragmentation

For some reason in lately defragmentation of hard CDs have become exotic, although 6-7 years ago this was the order of the day. Many people have heard about it, but only a few do it. Let a fossil mammoth like me explain what it is and why. defragmentation of hard disk is required.

What is fragmentation?

Since disk defragmentation exists, then there must be fragmentation... What is this? Directories (folders), subdirectories (subfolders) and files form a hierarchical hard structure disk modern computer. From the very beginning, you need to understand that files and folders do not lie in solid pieces on the disk. In theory, they should lie like this, but in reality everything happens somewhat differently. When registering for hard drive files are written in sequential chunks called clusters. At the beginning, when the disk is half empty, clusters of one file and folder may well lie side by side, which ensures fast reading such information. However, after some (relatively short) time, these pieces (fragments) of files end up scattered throughout hard drive. This happens due to numerous erases, transfers, copies and other operations with files while working on a PC. This state of the file (in pieces scattered across the disk) is called fragmentation.

Why is disk defragmentation necessary?

As a result of numerous deletions, transfers, copies and other operations with files, pieces of the same file end up at different ends of the disk. Accordingly, the reading head of the hard disk, in order to read the entire file, has to run like a bee back and forth across the surface of the disk. This takes some time. And if there are many such pieces and they are located far from each other, then this time becomes very noticeable. In fact, the search for pieces of a file slows down, because it takes time to read their location from the table, time to move, brake, and accurately position the head. The user is extra time is perceived as “brakes” of the system when loading, opening files, and also when performing various operations.

It turns out that the more fragmented files there are on the disk (the higher the fragmentation file system), the lower the performance of the system as a whole. In order to optimize computer performance, defragmentation is needed - transferring and consolidating pieces of files scattered across the hard drive for compact storage in order to reduce the time they open. Defragmentation allows programs and files to load faster.

What happens when a disk is defragmented?

As mentioned just above, when defragmenting a disk, pieces of files scattered across the hard drive are transferred and consolidated for compact storage. The algorithms for this process may be different for different defragmenter programs. There are the most common rules that most people adhere to software solutions to defragment a disk:

• Move your most frequently used and system files to the beginning of the disk for more quick access to them;
• Consolidation of empty disk space to reduce the likelihood of fragmentation during subsequent work;
• Place files in the same directory (folder) as close to each other as possible.

I have NTFS disks, why do I need defragmentation?

The people asking this question have clearly read Microsoft's advertising slogans and fallen victim to them. The statement that NTFS is “not susceptible to file fragmentation” is, to put it mildly, untrue. It is also not entirely correct to say that NTFS "prevents fragmentation." In general, of course, it interferes, but this is of no use. The NTFS file system is actually quite prone to fragmentation, despite all the marketing hype. Yes, the structure of this system is such that fragmentation is not a hindrance for quick search pieces of files. However, from unnecessary movements of the disk read heads when reading files this structure won't save. Therefore, defragmentation of disks with the NTFS file system is also necessary.

How often should you defragment hard drives?

It depends on the intensity using hard disk. Previously, software manufacturers recommended defragmenting the disk once a month. For a home computer used occasionally in the evenings and not too intensively, this frequency, in my opinion, is even excessive. Once every two months, or even three, is quite enough. If home computer is used intensively - new games are constantly installed, movies are downloaded, old files are deleted, then once a month is a completely adequate defragmentation frequency.

If the PC is used constantly and intensively, as they say, “both tail and mane,” then once every 3-4 weeks is a completely normal option for defragmentation. In this case, it might be wise to put automatic start this process according to schedule. The only advice is to choose a time when the computer is used least intensively, since during defragmentation, working with the PC may be impossible or difficult, since this process “eats up” quite a lot of resources.

How to defragment a hard drive?

There are special programs for defragmentation. There are quite a lot of them. I don't recommend using the standard one Windows defragmenter. It works for a long time and is not very high quality. However, if you cannot find anything else, you can use it. To do this, you need to open the list of disks in the "My Computer" window, then right-click on any disk, and then select "Properties" - "Tools" - "Defragment". In the snap-in that appears, select the disk to defragment and click “Defragment.”

There are successful defragmentation programs, both paid and free. I try to use free ones, especially since among them there are many very worthwhile ones that are superior to most paid analogues. I will list only the most notable of free defragmenters: , And . Choose and use.

Please note that for effective defragmentation you need to have sufficient quantity free disk space. Typically, about 10-15% of free space is required, since the defragmenter needs space to copy files.

Hello, dear friends! Many people have probably heard more than once about such a thing as defragmentation computer disk

But according to own experience I know that almost no one or very few users do it. The reason is simple - they don’t know why this long and tedious process is needed, that is, what determines the need to use it in general.

Today I will tell you why this defragmentation is needed and how (and with what programs) it can be performed, where and why.

So, let's get started.

Why is defragmentation of computer disks necessary?

How often should you defragment hard drives?

It all depends on how intensively you use the hard drive: copying, installing, deleting, transferring, etc., etc., information, but personally I recommend defragmenting it at least once a month.

Sometimes this process should be set to use on a schedule, that is, the script (or program) defragments on the fly, say, once a day. This may be necessary on systems where frequent work with files, for example, file servers large companies.

How to defragment a hard drive?

In the most Windows There is a built-in defragmenter, which, in general, can also be used. However, I do not recommend doing this for the simple reason that it copes with defragmentation rather poorly, which is why the final performance suffers. Therefore, I recommend using third-party programs, and there are quite a few of them.

What is the difference between defragmentation programs?

IN different programs, different analysis algorithms and, accordingly, the quality of subsequent defragmentation. Due to sometimes weak algorithms, not all defragmenters (as well as the built-in one) are able to well identify the fragmentation of files, the location of fragments of these files, and also adequately put them in order, collecting them together.

In general, it's not a matter of third party capabilities programs (such as scheduled defragmentation, etc.), namely in quality itself.

Personally, I use a powerful defragmenter O&O Defrag Free , or, when you’re too lazy to install, something simpler, like Defraggler. I wrote about both in detail in the articles “Program for defragmentation” and “”.

Afterword

Now you know why defragmentation is needed and how to do it. I will touch on this topic more than once, telling you about good (especially Russian and free) defragmentation programs.

As always, if you have questions, additions, or anything else like that, please write in the comments to this article.

Stay with me ;)

What is defragmentation hard drive. You've probably heard the expression - disk defragmentation? What is it and what is it for? As you know, all information on a hard drive is recorded in so-called clusters. A cluster is a cell of a certain size in which some piece of a file is stored. Just a piece, because... the cluster is very small size. Cluster size varies depending on hard sizes disk and the type of file system used.

At hard formatting disk is divided into clusters. Without this procedure, you will not be able to install an operating system on it, which means you will also not be able to work with such a disk.

Each cluster also has sectors. If the file is large, then it is written to clusters in parts. If the hard drive is new or just formatted, then writing to it occurs in a chain (in order).

And if you have been working with this disk for a long time, installing programs or creating new files, and then deleting them, then the chain of clusters is broken. Where particles of a file have been deleted, holes (empty clusters) are formed.

Therefore the entry next file will be scattered throughout all these “holes”. One part of the file may be at the beginning of the disk, the second in the middle, and the third somewhere at the end of it. This state of the disk is called fragmentation .

Not only does fragmentation begin to slow down the computer, but the hard drive is also not used rationally.

In this case, when you open such a file, then head hard disk begins to intensively search for all parts of this file throughout the disk. Naturally, his work slows down, and permanent job in this mode leads to rapid wear of the read heads.

All this work resembles a turntable with vinyl discs. Only there the head goes in a spiral and the disc (they used to be called records) is played gradually from the outer edge to the inner.

And then the hard drive head jumps from one sector or turn to another, collecting the entire “song” in parts. And thus the head can move first to the beginning, then to the end, then to the middle of the disk until it collects the entire file in order.

And if all the pieces of the file were in order, then the work would be much faster, and wear on the head would also be minimal. It turns out that as we delete, write and rewrite, our hard drive wears out, which has a very bad effect on its “health”.

Is it possible to help the disk work faster and not get sick? Can! To do this, at least once a month it is necessary to carry out preventive work with him, i.e. defragmentation disk . When defragmenting, all parts of files are collected in order and moved to the beginning of the disk. Therefore, the heads will not have to search for them for a long time and strain.

How to defragment a disk

If you are a novice computer user, you can initially carry out this procedure using the built-in Windows utilities Defragmentation .

INWindowsXP it is located at: Start – Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Disk Defragmentation .

On Windows 7 this program is located at: Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Disk Defragmenter . The seven has the ability to set a time for automatic disk defragmentation.

Open this program, select your hard drive and click at the bottom big button Disk defragmentation . And wait for the result. If you have done a lot of bloat on your hard drive, the first procedure may last several hours. Still depends on the disk space and speed of your computer. It’s better to start this procedure at night or when you don’t need a computer for work. But this is at your discretion.

In the future it is better to use it for defragmentation third party programs, because They “treat” your disc much better, which means it will “live” longer. There are a lot of such programs on the Internet. I can recommend Defraggler And O&O Defrag Free.

If you use third-party programs, you will be asked to indicate the cluster size. For file system NTFS is better specify size 4 kb.

It is forbidden!

Defragment flash media (flash drives), memory cards and SSD drives. This procedure is disastrous for them.

Video on the topic What is hard drive defragmentation:

I hope that I was able to convey to you the necessary information.

06.04.2015

Greetings friends! The topic of this article will be hard drive defragmentation. Mostly beginners do not know about this process, which is what causes the hard drive to fill with fragments.

On each hard drive of each computer user, thousands of files are saved and the same number are deleted. In their place, thousands of files are again installed, and then deleted with the same number.

Let me now try to explain this process in understandable human language.

Let's say you have bookshelves in your room. On each shelf all the books are sorted by name i.e. from a to z.

The hard drive is in the same condition without fragments. But one day, all the books were mixed up, the sorting order was disrupted and, ultimately, a complete house. The hard drive containing fragments is in approximately this state.

The newly purchased computer works with high speed and productivity. Over time, the computer begins to slow down over time. In such situations, if you observe that the hard drive begins to crackle and operate noisily, this signals one thing, the time has come to perform defragmentation (reverse fragmentation)

Defragmenting a hard drive on Windows 7 is done in two ways:

Let's look at the first way to use the built-in program. This method has significant disadvantages. The process does not defragment some system files and the process itself takes a very long time.

Let's go start open all programs, then move on standard choose official Select the one that opens from the list disk defragmentation

Basically, in all cases, this partition is the system partition (the partition where the operating system is installed windows system).

After selecting, click Analyze disk. When the analysis is complete, click disk defragmentation.

Defragmenting a hard drive with a program Auslogics Disk Defrag Free

It's convenient free program, which will help defragment your hard drive, while at the same time increasing the performance of your computer, which improves your performance.

This program has a number of advantages over analogues:

• Optimizes system windows files located on the hard drive to increase system speed.
• The developers have provided one feature that allows defragmentation of one folder or one file
• The program has very useful mode idle time that works automatically
• This program optimizes free space on your computer
• Flexibility in setting parameters hard drive defragmentation Convenient and clear interface

This program is being improved every month. In this article we will look at the version of the program

Auslogics Disk Defrag Free 5.4.0.0. The counter for this program has reached 11,000,000 users.

While writing an article this version programs only for English.

Auslogics Disk Defrag Free 5.4.0.0 can be downloaded from the official website.

When installing special knowledge and no effort is required, we produce normal installation. Launch the program

and preferably makes adjustments in the settings to improve the defragmentation result.

Let's go to settings(settings) open program settings(program settings) go algorithm ( algorithms ) . Next, insert a check mark in all items.

• Delete temporary files before defragmentation - this function allows you to clean your hard drive of debris stored on it,
• due to which it frees free space on disk. These files (garbage) are a sufficient number,
• to slow down the hard drive defragmentation process.
• Skip fragments larger than 10MB - fragments with such memory increases the reading time.
• Defragmenting such fragments does not provide any benefit except that it will only waste time.
• Move system files to the beginning of the disk - this function allows you to move those files forward
• on which the speed of the process and time depend. The structure of a hard drive is as follows highest speed
• readout is located at the beginning of the hard drive.
• Defragment in VVS - compatible mode - this feature prevents the growth of the VVS saving area,
• which occurs when moving files and reduces the risk of copying previous VVS data.

When setting these settings, the speed of the defragmentation process improves.

Hard drive defragmentation process

Open the program, select the section, this is basically system partition(C), click right button mouse select Analyze(c).

After analysis, the program will reveal a map of the results and tell you whether defragmentation is necessary.

The red cubes on the map are fragments. If the message Advice defragment disks appears at the bottom of the results, this means that the program recommends defragmentation. And if there is no message, we leave everything as is; there is no limit on the number of fragments on the disk.

Basically if the result shows fragments less than 10% then state of hard disk is good.

The process takes from 5-15 minutes, it mainly depends on how many files are on your hard drive.

1. If you defragment your hard drive frequently, you will increase the wear and tear on the drive.
2. So I advise you to do defragmentation if necessary.
3. During the defragmentation process, leave the computer alone. Due to this, defragmentation time is reduced.
4. If for some reason you need a computer, you can use the program with the priority set to low.
5. To do this, go to settings, hover your mouse over defragment priority and select Low priority.
6. For the process to proceed normally, I recommend that the disk have 10% of the total memory free space

Scheduler defragmentation function.

There are times when your computer is always on. In this case, it is better to use a scheduler.

To enable the scheduler, go to settings(settings) click scheduler(Cluster Map).

Mark the section defragment automatic(Defragment automatically) ticked. Next we configure this function according to your conditions.

Example settings:

• When selecting the When PC is idle mode, select the time.
• Every day mode (daily) - set the time for daily checking.
• Weekly mode - set the day for defragmentation.
• Monthly mode - select the day and time to start the process.

If you install the scheduler on a laptop it will not work when using battery.

Attention: for the scheduler to work, Auslogics program Disk Defrag Free must be in active mode those. should be running.

In order for the program to start along with windows, go to settings(settings) select program settings(programm settings) and go to the tab general(general) check the box as in the picture.

That's all the question is: how to do it hard drive defragmentation reveal. If you have any questions, write comments. I hope the information was useful!