How To Set a PC Running Windows XP to Defrag Every Day

Running a daily defrag keeps computer files in order.

Disk defragmenting sets computer files in order to conserve disk space, which helps the machine operate more efficiently. Sometimes this is the cure for an agonizingly slow computer. A computer defrag will arrange all the new files after new hardware or software is installed. The process can even be scheduled to run automatically every day. The more often the disk defragmenter is used, the less time it will need to complete the task. Keep your machine running smoothly by scheduling a computer defrag to organize files every day.

Things You'll Need

• System the administrator user name and password

Instructions

1. Open the scheduled tasks window by clicking "Start" and "Control Panel." Click the "Switch to Category View" option on the left-side tree if the Control Panel is set for classic view. Click the "Performance and Maintenance" icon on the category listing. Then click the "Scheduled Tasks" choice under the Control Panel icons.

2. Double-click the "Add Scheduled Task" listing to open the scheduled task wizard, and click the "Next" button. Click the "Browse" button to open the selection page. Type "%systemroot%\system32\defrag.exe" (without the quotes) into the box labeled "File Name" exactly as shown, and click the "Open" button.

3. Enter a name into the program name box that appropriately identifies the task. The term "defrag" highlighted in the program name box can be used. Click a dot into the "Daily" choice for how often to perform the task. Click the "Next" button.

4. Set a time for the disk defragmenter to run. Pick a time during the day when the computer is running, but not being used. Use the up and down arrow keys to switch between AM and PM. Click "Next" once the time is set.

5. Enter the administrator user name and password in the dialog box requesting the information. The computer may extract the user name and enter it. Type the password a second time in the confirmation box. Click on the "Next" button. Click a check mark into the box labeled "Open Advanced Properties for this task when I click finish." Then click the "Finish" button in that box.

6. Check the command listed in the run box on the task tab of the defrag panel. This should read "C:\WINNT\system32\defrag.exe." Add "C:" to the command with a space after the last small letter "e" in the code. Make sure there's a check mark beside "Enabled (scheduled task runs at specified time)," and click the "OK" button. Type the password into both password boxes on the set account information box and click the "OK" button. Windows XP will begin the defragmenting task at the specified time and perform the task every day at that time.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows recommends scheduling the disk defragmenter to run weekly for XP systems. Defragmenting more often will not harm the computer in any way.

References

• Microsoft: Schedule a weekly defragmentation