

In Windows 8 you can safely cancel the operation if required by clicking the cancel button. Note: The process may take several minutes or even hours to complete.

When the operating system requires the file again it will query the file system to find out where the different parts of the file are located on the partition (drive). The system will then keep a record of where the different parts of the file are stored. The operating system will then break the file into 2 or more pieces and store them in different parts of the storage area. Windows XP/2000/NT What is defragmenting and why should I do it?įragmentation is caused when an operating system breaks a file into pieces because there is not enough space on the storage device where the file was originally saved.Īn example of this is when a previously saved file is modified causing the file to be larger in physical space.
