Defrag took over 3GB of my Free space

Why did defragging take over 3GB from my hard drive. :banghead:
And it took almost all day..
No, I don't think I've ever defragged this laptop & have had for about 4 years (oh my, I did not realize I had had it that long... lol)
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Yes, I did all the other first - check disk, clean then defrag.

Why did it take away my space AND is there a way to get it back? I have 68GB free space but still.... -I feel like it stole from me...:cry:

And is there a better way to check my disk, clean & defrag - or just defrag..

I will wait patiently for your reply. :sleep:

thanks loads,