Running Vista’s Disk Defragmenter

Disk defragmentation describes the process of consolidating fragmented files on your computer’s hard disk.

Fragmentation happens to a hard disk over time as you save, change, or delete files. The changes that you save to a file are often stored at a location on the hard disk that’s different from the original file. Additional changes are saved to even more locations. Over time, both the file and the hard disk itself become fragmented, and your computer slows down as it has to look in many different places to open a file.

Disk Defragmenter is a tool that rearranges the data on your hard disk and reunites fragmented files so your computer can run more efficiently. In this version of Windows, Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule so you don’t have to remember to run it, although you can still run it manually or change the schedule it uses.

Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually.

Disk Defragmenter might take from several minutes to a few hours to finish, depending on the size and degree of fragmentation of your hard disk. You can still use your computer during the defragmentation process.(from the windows help files)

The Disk Defragmenter Will run automatically if set up correctly. Here’s how to check it.

1. Click the Start Orb.
2. Start typing Disk in the search box.
3. At the top of the menu under Programs click Disk Defragmenter.
4. Click continue if prompted by the UAC.
5. Make sure Run on a schedule is checked.
6. If you don’t like the time provided click Modify schedule, and choose How often, what day and what time you prefer.
7. Click Ok twice when finished.

You can also run Disk Defragmenter from the Command Prompt with more options. Here’s how.

1. Click the Start Orb.
2. Type CMD in the search box.
3. At the top of the menu under Programs right click CMD.exe and choose run as administrator.
4. Click continue if prompted by the UAC.
5. In the Command window type Defrag.exe.

Below you will see the options available. As you can see there are many different way you can run the Disk Defragmenter from the command prompt.

To see if a drive needs to be Defragmented just type the following at the prompt. C:Windowssystem32>defrag.exe C: -a

And the following report will be generated after a few minutes.

Then just add the Parameters you want.