How to Defrag Microsoft XP

Routinely defragmenting your hard drive will aid in an overall faster computer.

The Windows XP disk defragmenter is an important maintenance tool. It is used to group your files together on your hard drive, as well as to move the most used files to the front of the drive for quicker loading. The most optimal way to defragment your hard drive is to disable your paging file prior to defragmenting. This allows the space that is normally locked for virtual memory use to also be cleaned. There are several ways to access the defragmenter in XP.

Instructions

Disable Paging File

1. Push and hold the "Windows" key and "Pause Break" simultaneously.

2. Click on the "Advanced" tab, and then on the first "Settings" button.

3. Click on "Advanced," and then the "Change" button at the bottom.

4. Put a check in the circle next to "No Paging File." When you are finished defragmenting, you will go back to this same location and change this option back to "System Managed."

5. Press the "OK" button, and then restart your computer.

Defragment XP from the Start Menu

1. Click on "Start," then on "All Programs."

2. Click on the "Accessories" folder.

3. Click on the "System Tools" folder.

4. Double click on the "Disk Defragmenter" icon.

5. Click on the "Defragment" button.

Defragment XP from the Run Command

1. Click on "Start," then "Run."

2. Type "Defrag.msc" without the quotes.

3. Press "Enter."

4. Click the "Defragment" button.

Defragment XP from the Command Prompt

1. Click on "Start," and then "Run."

2. Type "Defrag C:\" without the quotes.

3. Press "Enter" key and the disk will begin defragmenting.

References

• Microsoft: How to Defragment Your Disk Drive Volumes in Windows XP
• Microsoft: Description of the New Command Line Defrag.exe Included with Windows XP

Resources

• Microsoft: How to Automate Disk Defragmenter Using Task Scheduler Tool in Windows XP