Background Defrag During Idle Time

After they have been owned and operated for awhile, computers typically begin to run slowly. Many users shrug and accept this decline in computer performance. However, an easy solution, known as defragmentation, is available.
 
When your computer is new, files are properly organized and are read and written to the hard disk quickly and easily. Initially, your computer files and programs are stored in a contiguous block, leaving large areas of free disk space. Through repeated usage, that organization deteriorates as you add, delete and update documents or programs. This is called fragmentation. As your hard drive becomes increasingly fragmented over time, computer performance suffers.

Improving Performance with a Defrag Program

Defragging your computer is like organizing a file cabinet that has many drawers only partially filled with pieces of paper from different projects. By storing those files in just one or two drawers, and sorting them into the correct folders, you can find what you need quickly and easily. You also have more available space and can store future papers without difficulty.
 
A defrag program organizes your hard drive and frees up disk space. As a result, your computer runs faster and more efficiently. Three major options for defragmenting a computer are available:
  • downloading free defrag software
  • purchasing a defrag software program
  • using one of your computer's built-in defrag programs.
While built-in and freeware defrag options are free, they have limitations. Built-in programs can be slow, limited and inefficient. Downloading freeware can put your computer at risk for viruses and spyware.

When to Defrag Your Computer

When is the best time to defrag a computer? The optimal time to schedule defrag is during idle time. Trying to defrag your computer while you are using it takes much longer, because every time you write to your hard drive (for example, saving a file), the defrag process must restart. Choosing a defrag program that allows you to schedule background defragging provides the most advantageous solution.
 
It is easy to find defrag programs that permit background defrag. A background defrag feature allows you to defrag your computer whenever it is idle, such as when the screensaver is running. Automatic background scheduling features save you the time otherwise needed to plan a manual defragging session.
 
You may also wish to schedule a defrag for a specific time period when you know your computer will be idle. Perhaps you use your computer for business, and your company is closed on Saturday evenings. You can choose defrag software that allows you to schedule defragmentation every Saturday night, when you know you won't be using your computer. A good defragmentation program allows you to decide when to defragment, and change the schedule according to your needs.

Other Helpful Features

In addition to being able to defrag while your computer is idle, choosing a program with other helpful features will help you get the most from your defrag software. A few additional features to consider when choosing a defrag program are:
  • an option to defrag only selected files or the entire hard drive
  • complete free space consolidation, defragging both metadata and all files
  • getting a program that customizes the file reorganization according to your usage patterns.
Resources
 
GeekGirls (2002). Why defrag? Retrieved March 21, 2009, from the GeekGirls Web site: http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_defrag.htm.
 
PC Magazine (2005). Disk utilities - Defraggers reviews. Retrieved March 20, 2009, from the PC Magazine Web site: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1811993,00.asp.
 
PerfectDisk (n.d.). A tutorial on disk fragmentation for Windows. Retrieved March 21, 2009, from the PerfectDisk Web site: http://www.perfectdisk.com/user_data/white_papers/defrag_tutorial.pdf.