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| Defragmentation
When a file is stored on disc, it is stored in blocks. Each block may be stored in different areas of the disc. When a file is accessed, the operating system looks up in the FAT (File allocation table) where on the disc the file starts. Each block of the file has a pointer to indicate the next block of the file...etc... If a file is very fragmented it takes longer for the disc heads to move between blocks and the process of loading a file is slowed.
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Defragmentation is needed occasionally to speed
up file access. Separate blocks of a file are physically
moved so that they are stored together.
Regular disc defragmentation may also extend the life of a hard disc drive, as it will cut down on movement of the disc heads.
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