{"id":100995,"date":"2025-08-04T21:13:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T21:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=100995"},"modified":"2025-08-12T23:29:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T23:29:56","slug":"how-to-defrag-computer-hard-drives-complete-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-defrag-computer-hard-drives-complete-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Defrag Computer Hard Drives: Complete Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hard disk drives that live in older computers as the primary storage or modern systems as backup media still require tender loving care.<\/p>\n

External HDDs are no exception. These drives become fragmented over time, which leads to traffic on the disk surface that can threaten drive health and system performance. Disk defragmentation is the only way to restore and maintain the order your drive and computer require to perform optimally.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll show you all the practical steps on how to defragment hard drives, using built-in Windows tools and third-party programs.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll also walk you through scheduling options to keep the process automated and other advanced disk defrag processes to boost system performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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TL;DR<\/div>\r\n\t
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\ud83d\udd00 To defragment a hard disk drive, type defrag <\/i> in the Start menu, select Defragment and Optimize Drives<\/i>, choose a drive in the Optimize Drives window, and click Optimize<\/i>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0d You can click Analyze <\/i> to check your drive\u2019s level of fragmentation before starting the defrag process.<\/p>\n

\u274c Do not defragment or attempt to defragment an SSD.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc8 Defragmentation is best for hard disk drives with fragmentation levels of 10% and higher.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd Third-party programs show better fragmentation analysis, including visual cluster maps.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Scheduling defragmentation helps you avoid the effects of fragmentation over time and removes the need for the manual defrag process.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udcbb You can also run file and folder fragmentation to arrange empty disk sectors and clusters.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce6 Free space consolidation arranges empty sectors and clusters close together to avoid further fragmentation.<\/p>\n

\u23f3 Boot-time defrag and boot optimization can help you defragment critical system files to improve performance.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd1\ufe0f You can reduce the chances of fragmentation by clearing out temporary files and separating data across multiple partitions.<\/p>\n

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Why Should I Defragment My Hard Drive?<\/h2>\n

To line up files and undo the effects of fragmentation on hard disk drives. HDDs become fragmented over time due to how they physically write and erase data. File fragments are scattered across the disk as you save and delete files.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f <\/strong>A 10 MB file can be broken up into hundreds to thousands of pieces to be saved into different sectors on the disk.<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f <\/strong>When you delete the 10 MB file, those sectors become empty. The drive will allocate pieces of other files you save to those empty sectors.<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f <\/strong>As time goes on, pieces of subsequent files will be stored on different ends of the disk in empty sectors left by deleted files. This phenomenon is called fragmentation.<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f <\/strong>The hard drive\u2019s mechanical head must cover greater distances to locate those pieces whenever it wants to read the file.<\/p>\n

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Note<\/div>\r\n\t
You can read our beginner\u2019s guide to disk defragmentation<\/a> to learn how HDDs work, the impact of fragmentation, and the benefits of defragmentation. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

This operation is suboptimal and can impact drive health and performance, particularly if the drive is fragmented to a certain percentage. Your computer will also slow down every time the system waits for the drive to read badly fragmented files.<\/p>\n

Windows can become slow to boot,<\/a>\u00a0file transfers will take forever, and the chances of disk failure<\/a> increase with prolonged stress on the mechanical head.<\/p>\n

\u2753How does defragmentation help in these cases?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you defragment a hard drive, you instruct Windows to rearrange file fragments so that the pieces of each file can be lined up closely together. That way, the hard drive\u2019s mechanical head can locate and read files faster.<\/p>\n

Thus, defragmentation helps to speed up Windows<\/a>, reduces application launch times, accelerates read\/write operations, and enhances drive health.<\/p>\n

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Need help with your PC?<\/div>\r\n\t
Try our Ask a Question<\/a> service — our experts will diagnose and resolve your PC issues completely free of charge.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Which Type of Storage Drive Should I Defragment?<\/h2>\n

Hard disk drives. Defragmentation was originally designed to help rearrange file fragments on HDDs to reduce the strain on the actuator arm and make read\/write processes faster. While the process is possible for solid-state drives, it is not recommended.<\/p>\n

You should never defragment SSDs<\/a> because they use flash memory and access files instantly. That means the location of file fragments does not affect the drive\u2019s performance. Thus, defragmentation provides no meaningful impact.<\/p>\n

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Every SSD\u2019s lifespan is based on limited write cycles. Since defragmentation involves moving files around, it means you threaten the drive\u2019s health<\/a> whenever you run the process.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Instead of defragmentation, SSDs rely on TRIM and active garbage collection for optimization. These processes and techniques help improve the drive\u2019s unique write and erase operations to enhance performance.<\/p>\n

What Should I Do Before Defragmenting My Hard Drive?<\/h2>\n

The following steps will make the defragmentation process faster and more efficient:<\/p>\n

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Check for disk errors<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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I once had a disk that would always fail to undergo defragmentation because it had logical errors<\/a>. You can run the CHKDSK tool<\/a> through the Command Prompt window to find and fix these errors before you begin. That way, your HDD head will ignore corrupted sectors when rearranging files. Our guide on fixing disk errors<\/a> will walk you through the process.<\/p>\n

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PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t
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You can check for disk errors by opening the Command Prompt window (search for CMD <\/i> in the Start menu) and entering the chkdsk C: \/f <\/i>command. Replace C <\/i> with the letter assigned to the drive you want to repair.<\/p>\n

You can also use Auslogics Disk Defrag <\/a> to check for errors in specific drives. Just click the drive and go to Options & Settings > Check for Errors > Check & Correct Selected<\/i>. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n

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Delete unnecessary files<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Unnecessary temp and junk files that fill up your hard drive increase the hard disk\u2019s workload during defragmentation and prolong the process. You can use Windows\u2019 Disk Cleanup tool<\/a> or the Settings app to remove temporary files<\/a> before you start the process.<\/p>\n

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files<\/i>, then select and delete the files you want to remove.<\/p>\n

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Auslogics Disk Defrag<\/a> can also help you clean up unnecessary files before it starts the defrag process if you tweak its algorithm correctly. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

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Close running programs<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Terminating background processes<\/a> and active apps reduces system drag and ensures you\u2019re not moving files engaged by other programs. That way, the process is seamless, does not compete for system resources, and will not interrupt other processes.<\/p>\n

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\r\n \"Terminating\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Ensure sufficient power<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Some programs provide the option to prevent defragging when your laptop is running on battery. That\u2019s because sudden shutdowns in the middle of defragmentation can cause file corruption<\/a>. So, even if you\u2019re using a desktop computer, make provisions for backup power in case your primary source of energy goes out.<\/p>\n

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Back up your data<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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I just mentioned that you could lose data in the event of a power loss. You can back up your important files<\/a> to protect yourself from such situations.<\/p>\n