Windows-based computers require periodic defragmentation Unix and Linux-based computers do not because of a different design for storing data, even if the same hardware is used. Gradually, both the file and the hard drive become fragmented, and the computer becomes very slow as it needs to search in various places to open a file.

Supplementary modifications are stored to even more locations. The saved modifications for a file are usually stored at a hard drive location that is different from that of the original file. Techopedia Explains Disk Defragmentationįragmentation occurs gradually as users change, save, or delete files. At the same time, it cleans the storage and provides additional storage capacity.ĭefragmentation is the opposite of fragmentation, which is an inefficient use of computer storage. Defragmentation reduces file system fragmentation, increasing the efficiency of data retrieval and thereby improving the overall performance of the computer. The process of defragmentation moves the data blocks on the hard drive around to bring all the parts of a file together.

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