Windows 7 Maintenance Tools Part 2 – Disk Defragmenter

The Disk Defragmenter at Work

Another valuable tool to keep your computer running efficiently and smoothly is Disk Defragmenter. This tool tidies up fragmented files on your hard disk drive.

What are Fragmented Files?

As your hard drive gradually fills up with stored files, there comes a time when you need to delete redundant files to make more room. This leaves empty spaces from the deleted files scattered over the disk.

So, when you download a large file, or install more software, there may not be enough room in any single space on the disk to fit the entire file. Windows has no choice but to store the file fragments in several places. This makes for a fragmented file.

The more fragmented the files are on a drive, the more your computer’s performance and reliability suffers as the hard drive has its work cut out searching for these scattered pieces files. Hence it is slow loading your data.

Terminology

• A large file with the scattered parts is called a non-contiguous file.
• A file, not broken up into pieces, is called a contiguous file. System files are always contiguous. They should never be deleted or moved as they are necessary for the system operations.

Windows Defragmenter in Earlier Versions of Windows

In the earlier versions of Windows, the Disk Defragmenter was a vital tool. When you ran it, Windows displayed a graphic image of a fragmented drive showing the before and the after.

In Windows 7, the graphic display previously seen in the earlier versions of Windows is no longer visible. Instead, all the action happens behind the scene so you miss out on the graphics.

Opening Disk Defragmenter

You can open the Defragmenter in a number of different ways. The most common methods are described below.

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Start > Search > Type: disk defragmenter > Click Disk Defragmenter

Note: Whichever method you choose to open Disk Defragmenter, you’ll probably be prompted by the User Account Control, the dreaded UAC, for confirmation or a password to continue.

1. Open Disk Defragmenter.
2. Disk Defragmenter opens.
3. In the section labelled “Current status”, select the disk you want to defragment.
4. Again, in this section of the window you can tell if the disk needs to be defragmented.

You need to go ahead!

1. If the selected disk needs to be defragmented, you should analyze it first. Click the Analyze disk button.
   
2. Analyzing commences with the Disk Defragmenter checking the file arrangements on the selected disk.
3. If it finds there is severe fragmentation you will be advised to defragment the disk.
   
4. When Windows finishes analyzing, in you will see advice to defragment the hard drive.
5. Click the Defragment disk button.
   
6. Disk Defragmenter begins checking the disk. It makes several passes over it and consolidates any non-contiguous files.
7. When it finishes a notification informs you that the disk is no longer fragmented.

Note: When Disk Defragmenter finishes analyzing the disk, look at the % mark for fragmentation in the Last Run column. This will tell you the story. A 0% means the disk is not fragmented.

Setting the Configure Scheduler

1. Click the Configure Schedule button.
2. The Modify Schedule window opens.
3. There are four boxes requiring your attention.
4. Click the arrow button in Frequency, Day and Time and make a selection form the drop-down menu.
5. In the lower box, click the Select disks button and choose a drive.
6. When you’ve set your preference, click the Ok button.
7. The Scheduler will automatically defrag your hard drive according to your choices.

The illustration below shows you the sequence to follow.

Once you learn how to use Disk Defragmenter and can defrag your hard drive you will find your computer running smoother and quicker.