What is Defragmenter Utility Program?

A defragmenter utlitlity tool reorganizes computer files.

Computer file systems are used to store and organize digital data. There are circumstances where file systems may need special maintenance or reorganization. A defragmenter utility program helps with this function.

Definition

A defragmenter utility program is a computer program that is used to reduce the amount of fragmentation present in file systems. Fragmentation, or file system aging, refers to a file system's inability to organize data sequentially or in a related pattern.

Function

A defragmenter utility program corrects fragmentation and reorganizes files. Defragmentation also frees up space where the file system can lay out data in contiguous, or closely related, areas.

Process

A defragmenter utility program typically defragments a file system by consolidating all index and directory information to one area to avoid unnecessary seeking by the head, or device, designed to read data on a disk. A defragmenter utility program also moves files that are not frequently used away from the main directory and groups related data into designated areas.

References

• PCMag: Defragmentation
• "Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies, 3rd Edition"; Dan Gookin; 2008