Running the Windows Defrag (defragmentation) program can help your computer to run smoother and faster. It puts all of the files back in order, kind of house cleaning for your computer.
First, you will want to delete all the unneeded files (Cookies, History, and Temporary Internet Files) prior to doing the defragmentation. No need to scan and defrag all those extra files. Shut down your screen saver temporarily as this can also freeze the defragging process.
Prior to running the Windows Defrag program you should shut down all running programs. If you find that all programs do not want to close you can do several things. You can press the following buttons all at the same time, Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and click Start Task Manager (Windows 7) or right-click on a blank area of taskbar and then left-click on Start Task Manager, see below.
Click on the Processes tab and then start, one by one, to close those things that are running. Click on one and then click the End Process button at the bottom right. (End Task for other versions of Windows)
If you find that defragging does not work then you will need to restart your computer in Safe Mode. Safe mode disables all programs from running. To do this follow these steps:
- Restart your computer.
- When you hear the first beep press the F8 key (top row of the keyboard) and continuing tapping every one second. You can count 1001, 1002, 1003, etc.
- After a few seconds a menu will appear on the screen with options.
- Use the down arrow key on your keyboard and move down the menu until Safe Mode (not with networking option) is selected.
- Press Enter once.
The defrag process may takes hours so you might want to do it overnight. Just leave your computer on. Make sure you disable that screensaver so it can run uninterrupted.
