How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts

A computer needs a few things done to it on a regular basis to ensure that it continues running smoothly. This guide will show you how to set your Windows XP computer to automatically take care of it self using the task scheduler and batch...

Method 1 of 5:

Disk Cleanup First Phase

Disk Cleanup - Windows bundled tool that performs Disk Space Cleanup of no longer needed files. To run this task you will need Administrative privileges

How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 1

Click on "Start" Menu.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 2

Click on "Run"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 3

Type "CMD" in the run box; Press Enter. This will bring up the DOS Prompt Window.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 4

Type "CLEANMGR /sageset:n"; Press Enter. where n is an arbitrary number from 0 through 65535.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 5
Check the boxes of the files you wish to clean up.
1. A window will appear similar to the screen shot] - What you are doing is telling the computer that when you run CLEANMGR with the Registry Entry n, to clean these files.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 6

Click "OK" when you are finished selecting.

Method 2 of 5:

Disk Cleanup Second Phase

How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 7

Click on "Start" Menu.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 8

Click on "All Programs"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 9

Click on "Accessories"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 10

Click on "System Tools"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 11

Click on "Scheduled Tasks"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 12

Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 13

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 14

Click "Browse"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 15

Browse to "C:WINDOWSSystem32" Please note that if you do not have a "C:WINDOWS" look for "C:WINNT" instead.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 16

Click "cleanmgr.exe"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 17

Click "Weekly"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 18

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 19

Choose Run Time that is convenient for you. Sunday at 2AM is a good setting.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 20

Enter the Admin User/Password
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 21

Check "Open advanced properties"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 22

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 23

From the "Task" Tab update the Run line with the following: "C:WINDOWSsystem32cleanmgr.exe /sagerun:n" using the same n that was set in the Disk Cleanup First Phase Section
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 24

From the "Settings" Tab, under "Power Management" check off the "Wake the Computer"

Method 3 of 5:

Disk Check First Phase

Check Disk - Windows bundled tool for checking for errors and repairing them on your hard drive, the next time the computer is rebooted.

How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 25

Return the Focus to the DOS Prompt Window, by clicking the Window Border.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 26

Type "notepad"; Press Enter.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 27
Type echo y|chkdsk C: /f/r
1. echo y|chkdsk for each additional drive letter: /f/r
2. shutdown /r
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 28

When finished save the file by Clicking on "File"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 29

Click "Save As"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 30

In the "File Name" line type "checkdisk.bat" with the Double-Quotation Marks.

Method 4 of 5:

Disk Check Second Phase

How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 31

Return the Focus to the "Scheduled Tasks"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 32

Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.]
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 33

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 34

Click "Browse"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 35

Browse to the location where you save the file "checkdisk.bat"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 36

Click "Weekly"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 37

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 38

Choose Run Time that is convenient for you, Monday at 2AM is a good setting.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 39

Enter the Admin User/Password
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 40

Check "Open advanced properties"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 41

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 42

From the "Settings" Tab, under "Power Management" check off the "Wake the Computer"

Method 5 of 5:

Disk Defrag Phase

Disk Defrag - Windows bundled tool that reorganizes files more efficiently. Windows is very sloppy when it comes to handling files. Instead of saving them where they belong on your hard drive Windows sticks them where ever it's most convenient. Over time this will slow your computer down.

How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 43

Return the Focus to the "Scheduled Tasks"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 44

Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 45

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 46

Click "Browse"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 47

Browse to "C:WINDOWSSystem32" Please note that if you do not have a "C:WINDOWS" look for "C:WINNT" instead.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 48

Click "defrag.exe"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 49

Click "Weekly"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 50

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 51

Choose Run Time that is convenient for you, Tuesday at 2AM is a good setting.
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 52

Enter the Admin User/Password
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 53

Check "Open advanced properties"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 54

Click "Next"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 55

From the "Task" Tab update the Run line with the following: "C:WINDOWSsystem32defrag.exe C"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 56

From the "Settings" Tab, under "Power Management" check off the "Wake the Computer"
How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts Picture 57

Repeat this process for each additional drive letter replacing C for the current drive that you wish to defrag, and add a day to the Schedule.