Microsoft defrag

Introduction
MS-DOS defrag
Windows 3.x defrag
Windows 95/98 defrag
Windows ME defrag
Windows NT defrag
Windows 2000 / XP defrag
Technical Support

Introduction

Microsoft defrag, or disk defragmenter, is a software utility designed to help chronologically order the data on the hard disk drive. The theory behind defrag is to place each program together instead of scattered throughout the hard disk drive, allowing the read-write head to access the data faster on the hard disk drive. Windows 98 includes an improved version of defrag that is said to place the most commonly accessed data at the beginning of the drive, allowing the read-write head a shorter distance to access the data, making the computer faster. Generally, unless the hard disk drive is seriously fragmented, you will not notice a significant difference after defragging the hard disk drive.   

MS-DOS DEFRAG

Defrag was first available in MS-DOS 6.0 and was available ever since. If you are running MS-DOS 6.0+ and would like to run defrag, follow the below steps.

• If you are in Windows 3.x, click File and then Exit to get to the MS-DOS prompt.
• From MS-DOS type CD\DOS and press enter.
• From the C:\DOS> type defrag and press enter which should begin running defrag on the computer.

Finally, some computer manufacturers have changed the installation directory of where defrag is located if you are unable to run defrag from DOS directory, go to the Windows directory by typing CD\Windows.

Windows 3.X defrag

If you are running Windows 3.x and MS-DOS 6.0 or above, please refer to the MS-DOS defrag section for information on how to run defrag.

Windows 95/98 defrag

Windows 95 improved the functionality of defrag as did Windows 98; to run defrag from Windows, follow the below steps.

• Click Start 
• Click Run and type defrag in the run box
• Click ok
• Within the defrag window, select the drive that you wish to be checked and click ok.

Windows ME defrag

Just as in Windows 95 and Windows 98, Windows ME includes the same steps to run defrag.

• Click Start 
• Click Run and type defrag in the run box
• Click ok
• Within the defrag window, select the drive that you wish to be checked and click ok.

Windows NT defrag

Windows NT is not shipped with Microsoft defrag. However, various third-party companies offer utilities that can defrag and check your hard disk drive for you. Symantec, a well respected computer company, offers such a program.

Windows2000 / XP DEFRAG

Keep in mind that Windows 2000 and XP are network operating systems, and that if you are a user using Windows 2000 or XP on a network, your network administrator may have restricted users from running defrag or from having any direct disk access. To run defrag, we recommend you follow the below steps.

• Double-click My Computer
• Highlight a local hard disk drive by clicking on it once.
• right-click the highlighted local drive
• Click properties
• Click the tools tab and click the defragment now button.