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Slow Computer?   (page 3 of 3)
By Joy Stapleton

For best results, before running this utility you should always do a Disk Cleanup first, and then restart the system. And also make sure that there aren't any programs running in the background, such as an anti-virus program.

Although Microsoft claims that you can continue using other programs during the defragmentation, it's really a better idea to run the defragmenter when you won't be using your computer.

Otherwise any program or file that's in use during this process will remain fragmented for the simple fact that it's programmatically impossible to move files around while they're in use.

Defragging is a time consuming process that could easily take a few hours, but this also depends upon the size of your hard drive.

To run the Disk Defragmenter click on the Start button, select All Programs, select Accessories, select System Tools, and click on Disk Defragmenter.

Windows XP: Select the C drive, and click the OK button to start the Disk Defragmenter.

Windows 7 and Vista: By default Microsoft schedules the Disk Defragmenter to run on these systems at 1 a.m. every Wednesday. However, if your computer isn't turned on at the scheduled time the defragmentation will never happen.

In Windows Vista click on the Defragment now button to start the process manually.

In Windows 7 select the C drive, and click on the Defragment disk button to start the process manually.

On all Windows systems you can minimize the Disk Defragmenter window while it's running, but don't close it until the process has completed.


Joy Stapleton started out as a mainframe Programmer/Analyst in 1985. In 1992 she became a PC software developer and PC technician. As a private consultant, Joy provides PC technical services and develops Web sites.


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