Defragmentation Myths
Almost all computer users have heard of the importance of defragmenting hard disk drives. As computers create and delete files, fragments of an individual file can be spread out across a hard disk. Performance then suffers, as the hard disk must read data from multiple locations on the disk, as opposed to data stored in one place, when the file is read.
Disk defragmentation programs, such as the one built into Windows XP (Start | Run | compmgmt.msc | Disk Defragmenter), instruct the system to analyze a hard disk, identify fragmented files and move those fragments to contiguous locations, thereby improving performance.
So much stress has been placed on the importance of disk defragmentation that an entire aftermarket industry exists. Software providers such as Diskeeper, Raxco, Auslogic and others have developed applications dedicated to combating dreaded defragmentation.
However, you may not need a third party utility. While disk defragmentation can, indeed, slow systems, the vast majority of PCs I see in the field won’t significantly benefit. Typically systems are only 10-15% fragmented. While performance will improve with defragmentation, most users won’t notice any measurable performance increases. So you can quit feeling guilty that you don’t defragment once a month.
That is, unless your hard disk is about out of space. Or, if you create and delete numerous large files (such as digital pictures, music files or large art graphics) each month, fragmentation will slow performance noticeably. But it’s unlikely you’ll require a third-party utility to complete the task for you.
Both Windows Vista and Macintosh OS X Leopard possess integrated automatic disk defragmentation processes. While these utilities are not perfect, unless you’re frequently creating and deleting large files, newer disk defragmentation tools built in to the operating system will likely keep your system performing properly.
Have more questions? Contact Louisville Geek at 502-897-7577.
