In Windows 10 and later, however, automated optimization is turned on by default (via Help Desk Geek). Theoretically, this should eliminate the need to manually defrag a hard drive, but the ...

As files become increasingly fragmented on a hard drive, the machine's overall performance can take a hit. That's where Windows' defragging comes in.

As with the defragment utility built into Windows, this freebie analyzes your hard disk, shows you the results, and then lets you decide whether to defragment.