Benefits of Defragmenting Your Hard Drive

Many common computer problems can be prevented by performing a simple task called disk defragmentation. In addition, prevention there are also benefits that make your computer run better. Disk defragmentation can be done on any drives that hold files, this includes flash drives.
Disk defragmentation is a simple process that rearranges files on your computer to make them run more smoothly. It is recommended that disk defragmentation should be done about once a month for frequently used drives and at least twice a year for smaller or less frequently used drives.

Disk defragmentation offers the following benefits:

• You will be able to access your files quicker because your computer doesn’t have to search as hard for the files when it is prompted to locate them.
• It preserves the life of your computer by cleaning up files that have been fragmented throughout your drives.
• It will make commonly used programs run faster, which in turn makes your computer work better.
• Performing this task regularly can prevent wear and tear on your drives, your programs and the overall functioning of your computer.

Most computers today automatically run disk defragmentation; however, there is an option you can use to per perform a disk defragmentation manually. Performing this task more frequently than necessary is better than not doing it frequently enough.

Disk defragmentation can be performed by taking the following steps:

• Go to Start
• Programs or All Programs
• Accessories
• System Tools
• Disk Defragmenter
• Click on Defragment Now

The time this takes will range anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of your memory and the number of drives you are defragmenting. You can still utilize your computer during the time that your disk is defragmenting.