Running XP's Disk Defragmenter from the command line

by Greg Shultz | Apr 20, 2005 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Microsoft Windows, Greg Shultz, Disk Defragmenter, disk, Microsoft Windows XP, line version, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: It can take a long time for Windows XP's Disk Defragmenter to defrag a disk that's extremely fragmented. Find out how you can speed up the process by running the command line version of Disk Defragmenter.

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If you encounter a hard disk that is extremely fragmented, running the GUI version of Windows XP's Disk Defragmenter can take an excessive amount of time to defragment the disk. Not only does it take time to actually defragment the disk, but there is a lot of overhead involved in managing the operating system and the GUI while simultaneously running Disk Defragmenter.

Fortunately, you can speed up the process by booting the system into the Safe Mode With Command Prompt configuration and then running the command line version of Disk Defragmenter. Follow these steps:

1. Restart Windows XP.
2. As the system boots up, press [F8] to display the Operating System Choices menu.
3. Press [F8] again to display the Windows Advanced Options menu.
4. Select the Safe Mode With Command Prompt option.
5. Select the Windows XP operating system and log in.
6. When the Command Prompt window appears, type Defrag to see a list of options for running the command line version of Disk Defragmenter.

Note: Keep in mind that your command line version doesn't provide any feedback on the operation's progress, so be patient until it completes the operation.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

will it work in windows 2000nighthawk514@...  | 04/21/05

No DEFRAG.EXEyodatech@...  | 04/21/05

DFRG.MSCgeorge.jenkins@...  | 04/21/05

Good tips!nohub  | 07/13/05

What about dfrgntfs? dfrgfat?wheel4hummer  | 04/21/05

Nope!toreador  | 04/21/05

Defrag from Command Linecompinfo2k@...  | 04/21/05

Try Executive Software's Diskeepertehurley@...  | 04/21/05

Diskeepertynemouth  | 04/21/05

AutoMate IThelp@...  | 04/21/05

Syntax problem with your commandgeorge.jenkins@...  | 04/21/05

replay will it work in windows 2000salehd@...  | 04/21/05

My favorite is O&O's Free DefragTheVirtualOne  | 04/22/05

gui defragger will work.r-kuhlman@...  | 04/25/05

It does Work in Windows XPplh2001@...  | 05/26/05

good stuffjbartlett@...  | 04/21/05

the skinnyjamesvassar@...  | 04/21/05

Syntax problem with your commandgeorge.jenkins@...  | 04/21/05

Faster startup tooAQTsinger2  | 04/21/05

Running XP's Disk Defragmenter from the command linebenobilor@...  | 04/21/05

Safe mode necessary?ambientNRG  | 04/21/05

Speedtoreador  | 04/21/05

AutoMate IThelp@...  | 04/21/05

WinXP Schedule the Command line defrag overnightsysadmin@...  | 04/21/05

How?george.jenkins@...  | 04/21/05

Created them individuallysysadmin@...  | 04/22/05

Safe Mode, in general, is bestHappy Hillbilly  | 04/21/05

AutoMate IT Q & Ahelp@...  | 04/21/05

Agreedtoreador  | 04/21/05

Safe Modewkf@...  | 04/22/05

Defrag Too Often?miwin1000@...  | 05/14/07

So you get the basic OS with basic drivers load...jbaker@...  | 04/22/05

No Defrag for Restricted Users though...george.jenkins@...  | 04/21/05

Use Task Schedulerraymond.battenfield@...  | 04/21/05

How many time for defragmenting 2x160GBmirombc@...  | 04/23/05