Scan for malware. Today, spyware and other malware is a big cause of many computer problems, including a slow computer. Even if an antivirus scanner is installed on the computer, we recommend running a malware scan on the computer. Use the free version of Malwarebytes to scan your computer for malware. Click the 'Disk Cleanup' app. Disk Cleanup is a standard utility on an Windows computer; it rids your computer of temporary files, processes, and other small bits of information that can slow down your PC's processing speed. Check every box under the 'Files to Delete' heading.
Caution:Do not run Defrag on an SSD (solid-state drive) or a flash drive. See our defrag an SSD or other flash drive document for further information.
Windows 10 Defrag
To run Defrag in Windows 10, follow the steps below.
- In the Windows Search box, on the taskbar, type defrag and select the Defragment and Optimize Drives option in the search results.
- Click on the drive you want to defrag and optimize.
- Click the Optimize button to being the defragmentation and optimization process.
You can schedule the defrag process to run automatically by clicking the Change settings button in the Optimize Drives window.
How To Tell What System Your Computer Is Running
TipWindows also supports running Defrag from the Windows command line. For a syntax and full listing of defrag options in the command line see our defrag command page.
Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, and 8 Defrag
To run Defrag, we recommend you follow the steps below.
- Double-click the My Computer icon or open Explorer.
- Highlight the local hard disk C: drive by clicking on it once.
- Right-click the highlighted local drive and click Properties
- Click the Tools tab and click the Defragment now button.
Windows also supports running Defrag from the Windows command line. For a syntax and full listing of defrag options in the command line see our defrag command page.
Windows 95, 98, and ME Defrag
Windows 95 improved the functionality of Defrag as did Windows 98. To run Defrag from Windows, follow the steps below.
- Click Start.
- Click Run and type Defrag in the run box.
- Click Ok.
- In the Defrag window, select the drive that you want to be checked and click Ok.
Windows also supports running Defrag from the Windows command line. For a syntax and full listing of defrag options in the command line see our defrag command page.
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 drive for you. Symantec a well respected computer company, offers such a program.
Windows 3.x and MS-DOS Defrag
Computer Is Running Slow Microsoft
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 steps below.
Your Computer Is Running Low On Memory Quit Other Programs And Then Try Again
- If you are in Windows 3.x, click File and then Exit to get to the MS-DOS prompt.
- At the prompt type CDDOS and press Enter.
- From the C:DOS> prompt type Defrag and press Enter, which should begin running Defrag on the computer.
Microsoft Lync Your Computer Is Running Slowly And Affecting Audio Quality
Finally, some computer manufacturers have changed the installation directory of where Defrag is located. If you cannot run Defrag from DOS directory, go to the Windows directory by typing CDWindows. See the MS-DOS Defrag command page for additional information on this command.
Itunes Requires That Your Computer Is Running
Additional information
How To Find Out Why Your Computer Is Running Slow
- See our Defrag definition for further information and related links.