Using Disk Defragmenter to speed up access to your hard disk You can use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange files and unused space on your hard disk so that programs run faster. The general "rule of thumb": Average use, once a month. Heavy use, once every week.

Note: Before using the Disk Deframenter, delete unused files and Internet temporary files (browser cache) and empty the recycle bin.

1. Boot the computer or restart the computer. This closes all programs running in the background (if any).
   
   
2. Right click your mouse on an unused area of the desktop. Select properties and a dialog box will appear for the display.
   
   
3. Click the top tab for the screen saver. Select the arrow in the center of the next dialog box indicating the screen saver being used. Select none, apply then OK.
   

   Note: This shuts off the screen saver so it will not run in the background. If the screen saver begins during defragmenting the hard drive, the program will stall and then begin over again. This will increase the time needed to defragment the hard drive or worse, lock- up the defragmenting program.

4. Click START - PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - SYSTEM TOOLS - DISK DEFRAGMENTER.
   
   
5. Select the disk drive(s) you want to defragment (C: in most cases). Occasionally, a computer will have 2 or more hard drive letters (partitioned or physical drives). When dealing with multiple drives, you can select ALL DRIVES.
   
   
6. You may click the options button, at this time, to tell the program exactly what tasks you want completed. Typically, defragmentation without scanning the disk surface for errors is enough, unless you have been having trouble with the computer locking up or freezing.
   
   
7. Select the OK button and the program will begin. You may also click show details at this time to view the programs progress.
   
   
8. Once completed, choose Quit (YES) defragmenter.
   
   
9. Reactivate your screen saver.