Computers are highly efficient at storing large and complex pieces of information. However, they do need a little help from their users. Over time, as files are added, deleted and changed on the hard drive, your computer will need to be organized. The process of reorganizing your files is called defragmentation, and it’s a necessary step in reclaiming and restoring disk space that has become fragmented over time.
Fragmented Disk Space
Do you remember the big yellow bus that probably took you to school as a child? Remember how long it took to pick up students at the many different stops? Now think about how fast that same ride to school took when your parents drove you in one straight shot. Believe it or not, this process is similar to the way your hard drive retrieves information.
 
When you request or change information on a fragmented computer, files must be gathered and collected across the entire hard drive. Over time, these tiny scattered fragments of data slow down your system and deteriorate its lifespan. As you continue to edit and resave files the scattered pieces of information become actual gaps on your hard drive.
 
If you did that with only one file, or even 10 or 20, your computer would hard be affected. But over the course of a computer’s existence you will create, alter and save thousands of files on that hard drive. Before you know it, your computer is searching the equivalent of a city block for pieces of files and you’re banging your head on your desk and swearing at the hourglass icon on your screen.
Why Defrag Your Computer
Many people purchase a new computer or expensive operating system upgrades when their machine begins to slow. However, a simple defrag may be all your machine needs. Defragging a computer is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to keep your computer running smoothly.
 
Defragmentation of a system can have positive effects on several different aspects of your computer. Some disk defrag benefits include:
Increased efficiency: The more time you spend waiting or rebooting, the less time you spend working. Defragmenting can cut your time in front of the computer and still elevate efficiency.

Better performance: Having a fragmented disk can cause your computer to freeze. All of your work can be lost. Defragging helps your system to run more smoothly by placing files near each other so your system does not have to work as hard to retrieve data.

Faster processing speed: This is the big one. Loading a file can take a long time, depending on how fragmented your disk is. Defragging makes all processes much quicker.
Defragging Speeds Up a Slow Computer
Defragmentation consolidates your computer’s disk space to ensure it’s being used in the most efficient manner possible. When used properly, defragmentation software compresses your files into a smaller space – if you think back to the school but analogy, it’s like putting all of the schoolchildren at the same bus stop. Defragmentation erases gaps in your disk caused by deleted and resaved files by putting the files as close to one another as possible.
 
Placing all of the files in one small area allows you to reclaim a great amount of disk space. This has the immediate benefits of speeding up your computer and allowing you to store more data.
 
So you now know the benefits of defragmentation; your computer runs faster and gives you more storage space - resulting in increased system efficiency and a longer lifespan.
Choosing Defrag Software
Since viruses are a potential hazard of freeware and the Windows built-in defragmenter isn’t particularly efficient, you will probably want to splurge and buy quality defrag computer software. Prices range from 20 dollars and into the hundreds, depending on what features you need.
 
For a home computer, inexpensive software options often work perfectly fine. You may want to try a free trial before you buy the product, but for maximum efficiency you should go ahead and make the purchase so that you can defrag regularly and reclaim the disk space you’ve lost due to fragmentation.