When data files are not stored contiguously (adjacent to each other) it is called fragmentation. This causes system overhead resulting from multiple Read/Writes and reduces performance. Windows Disk Defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes files and folders to use space contiguously.

Dictionary.com defines defragment as 'to reorganize or reallocate storage on a computer's hard disk by bringing together files or parts of files to optimize the machine's performance'.

The steps for running defrag are listed below:

• Select Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
• Click on <Analyze> button in the Disk Defragmenter window to view the recommendation report as shown in the image.

• Disk usage before defrag is shown below.

Files marked in 'Red' are fragmented files Files marked in 'Blue' are contiguous files Files marked in 'Green' are unmovable files White spaces are free space in the volume

• Click <Defragment> to start defragmentation
• On completion, view Estimated disk usage before and after defragmentation as shown below. It can be seen that the storage space is contiguous and there are no fragmented files.

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