Almost all Windows users, and of any version, notice that over time, the system starts to work somewhat slower than after installation. And this can be connected not only with the accumulation of computer garbage, but also with the slowdown of access to the hard drive. Defragmentation can help in this situation. The only question is how to defragment a disk on Windows 7 to get the maximum performance boost. Let's figure it out together.
What is defragmentation and why is it needed?
First, a brief overview of theoretical information. With constant use of the system with the creation or deletion of files and folders, most objects are divided into fragments, and they are not stored in one place, but are scattered throughout the hard drive.
That is why, in order to “assemble” one file from fragments together, the system has to “jump” from one sector to another, which, of course, sometimes takes a lot of time, especially when there are a large number of fragments and file size.
In addition, if the “bricks” that make up the file are closer to the external areas of the hard drive, the time it takes to find and read them is much longer than that used to carry out similar procedures with the internal areas. Thus, the defragmentation process consists in moving the most frequently used files (and their fragments) to the fastest areas of the hard drive and so that these fragments are possible next to each other.
But how to defragment a disk on Windows 7 so that the result is the best? There are some simple methods for this. Although some of them may differ from each other in the algorithms used.
How to defragment a disk on Windows 7 with a built-in system tool?
In any operating system of the Windows family, including the "seven", there is its own tool (standard defragmenter). You can access it from the usual "Explorer" or any other file manager through RMB with a choice of properties. Calling the defragmenter through the Start menu and the utility program section looks longer and inconvenient.
First, on the general tab, it is desirable to clean the disk, remove all computer garbage. You can use some kind of third-party utility for this (just this is what allows you to achieve the best effect with defragmentation).
After that, the question of how to defragment a disk on Windows 7 is solved quite simply through the use of the corresponding item on the service tab. When entering the standard application, it is recommended that you first analyze by clicking on the appropriate button. If the result of fragmentation is at the level of 10% or lower, defragmentation can be omitted. Otherwise, you just need to press the start button of the process and wait for it to complete. Depending on the degree of fragmentation and the volume of the hard drive, time can be quite a lot.
How to defragment a disk on Windows 7 Professional using the command console?
If you don’t like this method, you can also use the standard command line, which must be run with administrator rights (cmd in the Run console, which is quickly called via Win + R).
How to defragment a disk on Windows 7 in this case? Nothing too complicated. In the console window, you need to write the line defrag C: / W / V and press Enter. The attributes provided are optional. Their complete list can be viewed by entering the defrag /? Command, and then select the desired combination. Accordingly, for other disks or logical partitions, it will be necessary to change the letter, since the above command was given specifically for the system disk.
The use of specialized programs and optimizers
In principle, you don’t even have to use the regular tools of the system itself, but use special programs like Smart Defrag or complex optimizers like CCleaner.
The question of how to defragment a disk on Windows 7, CCLeaner resolves quickly and easily. In this application, as in any other similar program, one-click optimization can be applied by ticking the disk optimization module before scanning and searching for problems, or go to analysis in the service menu.
The defragmentation algorithm is slightly different from that used in Windows, and the process itself is much faster in time. This, by the way, can be seen in the graphical display of the progress of the operation, if you compare both options.
Instead of an afterword
In the end, it is worth answering another question that some irresponsible users ask: “How to defragment a disk on Windows 7 via BIOS?”. The answer is unequivocal: NO. Firstly, the question itself is posed incorrectly, since participation of the operating system in the defragmentation process in this case is not even hypothetically provided for. Secondly, there are no such tools in the primary system settings.
Finally, to automate the process, so as not to invoke the defragmenter constantly, you can use the "Task Scheduler" built into the system. It is necessary to create a new task, select standard defragmentation or launch the optimizer and specify the desired execution (start) period.