How to Defrag a Computer With Windows XP: Three Ways

Optimize your hard drive by defragmenting it.

Keep your hard drive up to speed by periodically defragmenting your hard drive. You can defragment your hard drive in Windows XP in three ways. Before starting, make sure that you're logged in to an administrator account.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the "Start" menu and select "Run." In the Run dialog, type "dfrg.msc" (without quotes) and click "OK." The Disk Defragmenter dialog opens. Then select the drive you wish to defragment from the drop-down menu. Click "Analyze" to determine whether your disk or partition needs to be defragmented. If you're prompted to defragment, click the "Defragment" button. Windows begins to defragment your hard drive.

2. Navigate to the "Start" menu and select "Accessories," "System Tools" and "Disk Defragmenter." The Disk Defragmenter dialog opens. Then select the drive you wish to defragment from the drop-down menu. Click "Analyze" to determine whether your disk or partition needs to be defragmented. If you're prompted to defragment, click the "Defragment" button. Windows begins to defragment your hard drive.

3. Navigate to the "Start" menu and select "My Computer." The My Computer dialog appears. Right-click on the drive you wish to defrag and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
   Select the "Tools" tab. Click the "Defragment Now" button.
   The Disk Defragmenter dialog appears. Then select the drive you wish to defragment from the drop-down menu. Click "Analyze" to determine whether your disk or partition needs to be defragmented. If you're prompted to defragment, click the "Defragment" button. Windows begins to defragment your hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• These methods are listed from least time consuming to most time consuming.

References

• MonkeyDoIt: Defrag Your Computer Hard Disk (Windows XP)