Disk Defragmenting

The following process was necessary for me to achieve 100% Defragmented C disk. It was perfect! and did take a couple of hours since I had never received 100% since purchasing the laptop in August 2000. That’s a pretty long while. Why isn’t this procedure recommended in the manuals or on the multiple web pgs addressing disk defrag? Is is safe? Is it a potential problem…
1. START
2. RUN
3. type in “msconfig”
4. SELECTIVE START UP
(then reverse back to NORMAL START UP)

this apparently eliminates the various icons from ‘running’ in the background.

I have not seen this procedure written up and it was only with on the phone technical assistance with GATEWAY. Any thoughts? Can you refer me to articles or web pgs that may give more information?