Defragmenting Your Hard Drive
As you use your PC, it stores your data in fragments all over your hard drive. When you open a certain file, your PC needs to gather all the separated pieces, which slows it down.

To make this process run smoother, use the Disk Defragmenter tool included with Windows® operating systems to "defrag" or reorganize the scattered data on your hard drive. The tool also moves the files you use most to the beginning of your hard drive, so they load faster and your PC runs more efficiently.


Though it may sound technical, using the Disk Defragmenter tool is simple. Just follow the steps below.

  1. Click Start, and point to Programs.
  2. Point to Accessories and then to System Tools.
  3. Click Disk Defragmenter.
  4. Once the Disk Defragmenter tool appears, click the Analyze button, which will show you how much time you'll need for defragging. Depending on the number of files on your hard drive, this step may take a few hours.
  5. After the Disk Defragmenter tool analyzes your hard drive, follow the instructions on the screen to start the defrag process.

Tips for defragmenting

  • Minimize your PC usage
    The defragging process slows down other applications, so it's best to use the Disk Defragmenter when you don't need to work on your PC, like when you go to bed.
  • Have at least 15% free space available
    To completely defrag your hard drive, you must have at least 15% free space. For instance, if you have a 100GB hard drive, you need at least 15GB free. To free up space, delete files that you don't use or move your files to another drive or device such as the HP 300GB Personal Media Drive.
  • To stop or pause the process
    If needed, you can interrupt or temporarily discontinue the defragmentation by clicking on Stop or Pause at the bottom of the Disk Defragmenter's progress window.

A more efficient hard drive

If you organize and clean up your PC's hard drive with the Disk Defragmenter as described, you'll keep your hard drive running efficiently and help speed up your PC's overall performance.

One-on-one assistance for the health of your PC

It's easy to improve the performance of your PC with the HP PC Tune-up Service. Just sit back and relax while an HP technician optimizes your PC and shows you how to perform future updates to keep your PC running smoothly. To learn more about the HP PC Tune-up Service, click here.

Your personal help desk

Get fast, friendly answers to your PC software and hardware "how to" questions from the HP SmartFriend Service. To learn more, click here.

To view this page you will leave Compaq.com and travel to HP.com
Don't worry. We'll be here when you get back.

HP and Compaq work together to get you the products you love.

» Click to stay on Compaq.com