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Using Disk Defragmenter in Windows XP
Posted by staffwriter in Tech Tips
Save Disk Speed and more with an easy to use program you already have.
Windows XP’s Disk Defragmenter is a powerful tool that comes prepackaged with every Windows XP System. Disk Defragmenter works by rearranging data on your hard drive (or hard drives), making it easier for the system to both read existing data and write new data (like when installing new programs). Disk Defragmenter can, among other things, create additional space on your hard drive and improve loading times. Defragmenting (or “Defragging”) may sound complicated, but with this guide you can “defrag” like an expert!
For a detailed explanation of the concept behind defragmentation, see the Wikipedia link at the bottom of the page.
Alright then, let’s get started!
Step 1 – Getting ready to Defrag
Close any extra programs you may have open. Defragmenter takes quite a bit of processing power, and it is best to let it work on it’s own. Depending on your computer’s specifications, Disk Defragmenter may take a few hours or more to finish. I recommend setting up disk defragmenter before you go to bed at night or before you go to work for the day, and just letting it run while you know you won’t be using your computer.
Step 2 – Opening Disk Defragmenter
Go to the Start Menu, and then to All Programs. From there, go to Accessories, then System Tools. From here, select Disk Defragmenter.
All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Defragmenter
Step 3 – Using Disk Defragmenter
First analyze, then Defragment
Once open, select the disk you want to defrag. Usually there is only one drive to select, but if you have more than one, pick your main hard drive. For most people, this is the (C:) drive. Once your drive is highlighted, click Analyze. This will allow defragmenter to show you how fragmented your hard drive is. After the analysis process is complete, a window may pop up, advising you to defrag your hard drive. Click Defragment. If a window doesn’t pop-up, re-select your disk and press Defragment.
Select "Defragment" when prompted.
And that’s it! We recommend you defrag once or twice a month. If you stay on top of it, each defragging wont’ take as long, since there will be fewer fragmented files to be dealt with.
Detailed Explanation of Disk Defragmentation
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