Speed up Windows XP's defrag operations

by Greg Shultz | Jul 12, 2006 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, Greg Shultz, Speed-up Windows XP, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Did you know that you can speed up a defrag operation in Windows XP by restarting the system beforehand? Greg Shultz reveals this secret and more defrag tips.

A simple way to speed up a defrag operation in Windows XP is to restart the system before you launch Defrag. This allows the operating system to clear out the swap/paging file and reset it to the default size. This lets Defrag focus strictly on the necessary data on the hard disk, without having to stop and manage a huge swap file loaded with unneeded data.

Another approach to speeding up a defrag operation in Windows XP is to configure them to occur immediately upon startup. Fortunately, you can do so easily with a simple registry edit. Follow these steps:

1. Launch the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnce.
3. Right-click the RunOncesubkey and select New | String Value.
4. Name the value Defrag and press [Enter] twice.
5. Type Defrag.exe c: /f in the Value Data text box, and click OK.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart Windows.

The defrag operation will begin when you type in your password and press [Enter]. (Keep in mind that values added to the RunOnce key are removed immediately after the command has been run.)

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Professional editions.

Miss a tip?

Check out the Windows XP archive, and catch up on our most recent Windows XP tips.

Stay on top of the latest XP tips and tricks with our free Windows XP newsletter, delivered each Thursday. Automatically sign up today!

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Restart- 1 Regedit- 0Jack-M  | 07/12/06

makes sense mostlyw2ktechman  | 07/12/06

Batch Filewvinkavich@...  | 07/12/06

one more thing ...philip_lee@...  | 07/13/06

Run Ultra Win CleanLaughing Jack  | 07/13/06

run ultra clean run cleanNEES  | 07/14/06

Where do I find Ultra Win Clean?johnbartley  | 07/26/06

Try Here...PSK_  | 07/26/06

speed up defrag - one more thing...NEES  | 07/13/06

ie temp filesjkn1ck@...  | 07/28/06

speed up defrag - one more thing...NEES  | 07/13/06

Just set it and forget itrestoh@...  | 07/13/06

re: just set it and forget itNEES  | 07/13/06

Cleaning ProgramRebelFlag  | 07/13/06

re: ccleanerNEES  | 07/14/06

Freewareolgarosm@...  | 07/17/06

cleanmgrjon_bjerke@...  | 07/17/06

This is how you do itJames Speed  | 07/13/06

RE: This is how you do it...NEES  | 07/13/06

Disk Cleanuprasilon  | 07/17/06

Disk Cleanuppmseng  | 07/19/06

Banish IE temp files automaticallyPogiDaga  | 07/14/06

RE: banish IE temp files automatically...NEES  | 07/14/06

IE 7 - can't find delete boxpeter_gammon@...  | 01/17/07

I knew where it was all the timegeorge.gordon@...  | 02/06/07

Defrag on shutdowncurtis2164@...  | 07/13/06

Sort of BUT...edodaniel@...  | 07/13/06

Best auto cleaner so far and it's freerestoh@...  | 07/13/06

Quiet time?eberhartj@...  | 07/17/06

Not a believer in quiet time?Too Old For IT  | 01/18/07

Made it a one-step processandrew@...  | 07/17/06

Hmm! Messing with the registry??laredoflash@...  | 01/23/07

I Prefer AusLogics' Defrag!edbrady@...  | 01/29/07

Turn off your Anti-virus & Anti-Spyware...godzillex  | 01/29/07

Good idea but . .jleather  | 02/04/07

Batch file.dcaissie@...  | 07/13/06

Batch fileghughes@...  | 07/13/06

Batch File Options Differencesstrahab13@...  | 07/17/06

START defined...Roger  | 07/18/06

Another suggestionjleather  | 02/04/07

Better than hacking the RegistryMarty-7  | 07/13/06

XP Batch File Downloadtwoclones@...  | 07/13/06

perfect batch filepetremure  | 08/11/06

Simplify with schtasks...N6750B  | 12/29/07

DiskeeperPSK_  | 07/13/06

So how much...ghughes@...  | 07/13/06

Not a Separate SolutionRebelFlag  | 07/14/06

Liked trial so much I bought itdl@...  | 07/13/06

RE: Liked the trial so much I bought it...NEES  | 07/13/06

Raxco Corporation (Perfect Disk)Another Canadian  | 07/13/06

Diskeeper and Others Defraggersfkowal@...  | 07/13/06

defraggers...NEES  | 07/14/06

Paging filegshollingsworth  | 07/13/06

Paging File Questionneil.bitsmart@...  | 07/13/06

I can elaborate...Roger  | 07/13/06

This is even betterted.rodavich@...  | 07/13/06

Do this only once...No name specified  | 07/14/06

In layman's terms...No name specified  | 07/14/06

Free page file defraggertechnonaut  | 07/18/06

One thing to trymib.2945@...  | 02/01/07

To Page or not to Page...sgt1035  | 07/13/06

Paging standardadeal  | 07/17/06

Export that keyrestoh@...  | 07/13/06

Static swap fileputergurl@...  | 07/13/06

Change to "No paging file" then...a16659235  | 07/13/06

No paging fileChug  | 07/13/06

how to reverse?ronwilli1@...  | 07/13/06

registry entry is run onceMercutio7  | 07/16/06

A Thourough Cleaning FirstAaron A Baker  | 07/16/06

Cleanup other Appspmerchan@...  | 07/29/06

Log Off & DefragAnandu  | 07/17/06

Easier than thatfdesnoyers@...  | 07/17/06

Free pagefile defraggerzwayne@...  | 07/17/06

defrag performance gainsyeojo@...  | 07/17/06

Run your own benchmarks...PSK_  | 07/18/06

THE fastest way to defrag...TrubbleMaker  | 07/17/06

Best and fastest why to de-frag is in Safe Mode........mark.humphries@...  | 01/17/07

Smartest thing said yetcoatsfc@...  | 01/24/07

Good tip thanksTachyon  | 01/19/07

Why Regedit?Gis Bun  | 01/29/07

Windows XP Defraggingrgeiken@...  | 01/29/07

HUMAN NATUREBALTHOR  | 01/29/07

75 posts?RipVan  | 12/06/07

Defragwbahny  | 12/06/07

RE: Speed up Windows XP's defrag operationsbembo@...  | 12/13/07

RE: Speed up Windows XP's defrag operationsthomasnruth@...  | 12/23/07