When you use your computer, you think of each file as a single unit of information, but your computer doesn’t treat it that way. Each file is actually an amalgam of segments that the computer puts together on demand.
Is defragmenting useless now?
The process of restoring file segments to a more centralized state is called defragmentation, and it’s something you can and should perform on your computer periodically. The question for many people is “How often?”
As you use your computer, bits of files become scattered across your hard drive. When the spread becomes widespread, it takes longer for your computer to grab the right bits to assemble your files. This process slows down the responsiveness of your system. This can lead to program errors. A common Photoshop error, the Scratch Disk Full error, can be fixed with a simple defragmentation.
If you are a normal user (meaning you use your computer for occasional web browsing, email, gaming, etc.), then defragmenting once a month is fine. If you are a heavy user, meaning you use your PC for work eight hours a day, then you should do it more often, about once every two weeks. Also, if your computer is running slowly, consider defragmenting, as fragmentation can be a culprit in slowing down your computer.
