How to defragment a disk on windows xp. How to defragment a disk in Windows XP. How to defragment a disk
Disk defragmentation is designed to organize the data stored on the hard disk, which speeds up the speed of access to them. And in some cases, not only speeds up the computer, but also helps to avoid some serious problems. I won’t write a note on the topic “What is defragmentation” - there is Wikipedia for this. 🙂
Defragment hard drive you need about once a month or two - more often it simply does not make sense.
Defragmenting a Hard Drive in Windows XP
Windows XP already has a good built-in tool for defragmenting disks. It is very easy to start it - go to the menu " Start» ==> « Programs» ==>» Standard» ==> « Service” and click once on the item “ Disk Defragmenter»
Read also: How to format a drive
If you didn’t find such an item or Windows in a rare Swahili dialect, it doesn’t matter! Press key combination Win+R and in the window that appears write dfrg.msc and press " Enter«.
In the defragmenter program window that opens, select the desired disk at the top, and click the " defragmentation". After the procedure is over, just close the program.
Running defragmentation of the hard drive in Windows 7 / Vista
With Windows 7, it's even easier - there is a built-in automatic defragmentation scheduler. Moreover, it is already enabled by default! So, if you need to change the time of the defragmentation, do the following:
Open " My computer» , click right click on desired disk, and select " Properties". A small window will appear, in it at the top select the tab " Service” and click on the button “ Run a defrag»
Read also: How to create a folder
After that, pressing the button " Set up a schedule» Set a convenient time for you. Or just click the " Disk Defragmenter» for an immediate procedure.
When writing any files to HDD all information is distributed in clusters. If you decide to delete this or that file, the clusters with information will be erased, but instead of them there will be an empty space. Thus, the ordering of all files on the hard disk is violated. As a result, when reading information, the hard drive spends much more time searching for the right clusters, since they are scattered throughout the media. This leads to a noticeable slowdown of the computer as a whole. Such a process is called fragmentation.
defragmentation allows you to restore order in the internal space. This procedure arranges the arrangement of all clusters on the carrier, transferring them close to each other. After that, a noticeable increase in performance in resource-intensive applications and games. Let's see how to do disk defragmentation, and in what cases it is necessary.
When should you defragment your drive?
If you notice that the performance of a personal computer has dropped significantly, then optimization is required in this case. Long loading programs, opening files, copying also hint that it's time to optimize.
What software is used to defragment a hard drive?
Operating system XP, 7 and newer have built-in software to perform defragmentation. If you want to perform the procedure once, then you can use it. However, many note poor performance during the use of the standard utility. If you decide to use it, then follow these steps:
Consider how to make disk defragmentation a built-in utility:
Consider an example of how to defragment a disk on a schedule:
- The standard program allows you to set a regular schedule for defragmentation. In the previous window, click the button Set up schedule....
- In the window that opens, select the frequency, day, time, and partitions to be defragmented.
- After completing the setup, click OK.
Now the switched on computer at the appointed time will automatically start the optimization procedure.
During this period of time, there may be a drop in performance, as the system is busy with a more important process.
According to the presented instructions, the hard drive is defragmented in Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10. Now let's figure out how to defragment the hard drive using a third-party program.
Optimizing with defragmenters
There are quite a few programs for defragmenting the system disk. Among them there are options for both advanced users and beginners. For example, consider a simple utility Defragger, complete free version which can be downloaded from the official website of the developers. Download the distribution, install the software and run it. The program cleans up disks in OS 7, 8 and 10. To do this, use the instructions:
By using Defraggler not only defragmentation of the system or external disk is carried out. You can also get information about the performance of the media, a list of files, or optimize each folder separately.
How to defragment a disk using Auslogics Disk Defrag
Another utility that allows you to quickly or completely defragment your hard drive. The main window of the program is very similar to Defraggler, so there should be no problems using it.
Consider the launch process:
Now you know how to defragment a hard drive, including an SSD, using standard Windows tools or through third-party software.
Related videos
You have probably noticed that a new computer is much faster than a computer that you have been using for several months/years. In a series of several newsletters, we will try to understand the main causes of this phenomenon and indicate ways to eliminate them.
The first reason is the appearance of high file fragmentation on the hard drive. You may have been aware that information on a hard drive is stored and read in small pieces and that the hard drive itself is like a phonograph record. Data fragmentation is when pieces of one file are not recorded sequentially on the disc, but lie in different places. Naturally, in this case, the reading of information is ten times slower.
High fragmentation of files occurs when you frequently change them: create, delete, enter information. The effect may be exacerbated if your drive runs out of disk space.
How to avoid it? Very simple: check the disk for fragmentation and defragment it if necessary.
To defragment a disk, you can run the Disk Defragmenter utility built into Windows, located in the Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools menu. You can also run this program directly through the properties of the disk from the "Service" section (Fig. 1)
Rice. 1 Launch the defrag utility.
In the utility itself, you can analyze the disk for the need for defragmentation or start it immediately (Fig. 2)
After the analysis, a report will be displayed on whether disk defragmentation is necessary or not (Fig. 3)
By analyzing the data on the hard drive for the need for defragmentation, you will not only maintain the speed of reading data from the hard drive, but also extend its life.
P.S: In operating systems Windows Vista and Windows 7 introduced the ability to configure scheduled defragmentation.
Defragmentation is the most important process, which consists in transferring data from several areas to one part of the disk. After defragmentation, system performance improves, writing and reading of any type of files is accelerated. Windows operating systems already have a built-in defragmenter, but it has limited capabilities. That is why it is recommended to use third-party programs.
Every advanced user should have good program to defragment your hard drive. Of course, sometimes it is difficult to make a choice. Therefore, it is recommended that you carefully read the functionality of each utility, and then choose the one that suits you best.
Defragmenters for Windows
In the course of work, users create, copy and delete a huge number of files. After a few months, and sometimes even earlier, the OS slows down. To deal with the problem, it is recommended to pay attention to the following programs:
- Defrag Pro;
- Smart Defrag;
Whichever defragmenter is used, it is worth noting that it is not recommended to use it for SSD drives. Otherwise, serious problems may arise.
Defrag Pro
This is the best program for quality hard drive defragmentation. Compared to many analogues, the utility is able to work with the file system:
- FAT32;
- NTFS
- NTFS5.
The program works great on Windows XP, as well as more modern versions of the OS. The application is able to replace the standard defragmenter. At the same time, Defrag Pro can be launched on a schedule, as well as work in the background.
It is important to note that the defragmentation utility has not only a client version, but also a server one. In addition to defragmenting hard drives, the program is able to work with the registry and the swap file.
smartdefrag
The program was developed by IOBit. The software product allows you to quickly, and most importantly, efficiently optimize the system by defragmenting. It is noteworthy that the application is perfectly suitable for Windows 10 and earlier versions. Even an inexperienced user can manage the program.
It is important to note that the program for quick disk defragmentation is able to work in manual and automatic modes. You can change how it works in the settings. It is best to use manual mode. In addition to the standard defragmentation procedure, the application is able to:
- Perform data movement at the time of download operating system. Thanks to the Boot Time Defrag technology, even those files that cannot be moved while the OS is running will be optimized;
- It is possible to run the utility on a schedule;
- Disks are analyzed only at certain times. This reduces the load on the system.
It should be noted that it is difficult to find a better program than this. In addition, the application is distributed in Russian.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
You can find free defragmenters on the Internet, but not all of them are as good as . The application optimizes and organizes files "scattered" on hard drives. After completion of the work, the speed of the system increases several times.
The program uses several algorithms, thanks to which disk defragmentation is faster than when using the utility built into the OS. After the completion of the optimization, a report on the work done will be provided.
The main features of the defragmenter include:
- File ordering and cluster structure;
- A disk map showing the real-time defragmentation process;
- Intuitive interface;
- Clear reporting system. Thanks to this, you can understand how well it turned out to defragment the disk;
- Opportunity to optimize simultaneously 2 or more hard drives.
The program can be downloaded for free from the official website. For efficiency, it is recommended to use the defragmenter 2 times a week.
Everyone knows that those programs that fully cope with the tasks are good. Such a defragmenter is Defraggler, developed by Piriform Ltd. The utility is able to work not only with the hard drive, but also with specific directories. This is the best defragmenter for Windows 7.
Unlike paid analogues, the application works several times faster and better. During the defragmentation process, the user has the opportunity to observe the transfer of data from one place to another. While the program is defragmenting the disk, you can work on the computer (it's better not to do this, of course). When finished, a change report will appear.
The main functions of the program include:
- Creating an information map of fragmented files;
- Schedule setting;
- Support for all popular file systems, including exFAT;
- Setting the interface language.
To see all the benefits of the defragmenter, it is recommended that you test it yourself in practice.
UltraDefrag is the best defragmenter. Despite the fact that the utility is small, it does an excellent job of moving even complex clusters. Hard disk defragmentation is not the only feature of UltraDefrag, the program is also able to work with the registry and the paging file. In addition to the main interface, there is a console interface, thanks to which the utility is launched according to a schedule.
The application works with file systems like FAT, FAT32 and NTFS. When the job is completed, the report appears as an HTML file. It should be noted that the program has such a function as turning off the PC after optimization is completed. Even beginners can handle the controls.
Conclusion
The user downloads the program that best copes with the tasks. That is why it is recommended to consider third-party applications, since the defragmenter built into the OS does not do a good job of transferring files. One of the best programs is Auslogics Disk Defrag. Before downloading the utilities, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages.
Video review of the program for defragmentation
