Defragment your hard disk

Your computer's hard disk is like a file cabinet—and while you are working, it can get pretty disorganized. When you install a program on your computer, the program's files are typically broken up over multiple locations on your hard disk. This is called fragmentation. Fragmentation slows the performance of programs on your computer. Disk Defragmenter reorganizes the files on your hard disk into contiguous blocks. This improves the performance of your programs because the files are arranged closer together.

Disk Defragmenter can also create a log file to determine which programs you run most frequently. All such frequently used files are then placed in a single location on your hard disk, which further reduces the time needed to start those programs.

Keep your hard disk in peak condition
If you use your computer a lot, it's a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis. It also helps to run Disk Defragmenter if you've installed several new applications, so that they will perform at top speed.

Here's how to do it:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.
2. Click the Settings button, select the options you want (to ensure fastest startup of programs, select the first check box), and then click OK.
3. Choose the drive you want to defragment from the drop-down menu, and then click OK.

Note   It is best to shut down all other programs before you run Disk Defragmenter.