What does the term "defragmentation" refer to?

Defragmentation refers specifically to the process of reorganizing fragmented data on a disk. Over time, as files are created, modified, and deleted, data can become scattered across the disk's storage space. This fragmentation can lead to slower access times because the read/write heads of the disk must work harder to piece together these fragmented files. By defragmenting the disk, the system arranges the data so that files are stored in contiguous sections, which enhances the speed and efficiency of data retrieval. This is especially important for traditional hard drives, where the physical movement of the read/write heads can significantly affect performance.

In contrast, options such as increasing storage space, deleting unnecessary files, or installing software updates do not pertain to the specific function of defragmentation, as they address different aspects of disk management and system maintenance.