# Hard Disk Defragmentation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 23, 2000, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258 "2000-09-23T07:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chrome\_Toaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Chrome\_Toaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chrome_Toaster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/1 "2000-09-23T07:22:21Z")
How often should one do this? I tried a search and found some scant info, but the most specific anything got was someone suggesting it be done once a month or so. Is this adequate? Any insight, professional opinion, or knowledge based on experience will be most appreciated. JoWallaby ---
**Author:** ![Chrome\_Toaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Chrome\_Toaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chrome_Toaster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/2 "2000-09-23T07:23:26Z")
That would be dEfragmentation. Thank you. [note: I fixed it for you. You’re welcome. -manhattan] [Edited by manhattan on 09-23-2000 at 11:32 AM] ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/3 "2000-09-23T10:23:18Z")
I’d say do it at least once or twice month, unless you’re adding and/or removing large amounts of software. It’s good to do it after doing each of those. If your computer tells you how much your hard disk is fragmented, I’d say don’t leave it more than 5% – but it won’t hurt to do it sooner. ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/4 "2000-09-23T13:59:38Z")
If you’re doing huge amounts of data transfer, say 1GB or so per week, then definitely defrag it weekly. If not, once a month will suffice. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/5 "2000-09-23T14:31:12Z")
I’d say don’t worry about it. A fragmented disk isn’t harmful, it just causes a slight decrease in performance. On the other hand, there is no harm in doing it too often either. (Other than wasted effort and time, if you are doing it manually instead of as an automatically scheduled task.) ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/6 "2000-09-23T15:08:49Z")
I usually do it based on how many hours I use the computer. & how many programs I put on/off. I do it even when it says 0% cuz there is still some to do. Do it as often as you want. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2000, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-disk-defragmentation/34258/7 "2000-09-23T17:09:47Z")
Also, if you do it regularly, it’ll spend a lot less time on it each time. Which is easier for you, a five-minute defrag every week, or a two-hour defrag each year? (WAG on the numbers, but you get the idea.)