How to Run Windows XP System Maintenance With Automated Scripts

Disk Cleanup Second Phase

1. Click on "Start" Menu.

2. Click on "All Programs"

3. Click on "Accessories"

4. Click on "System Tools"

5. Click on "Scheduled Tasks"

6. Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.

7. Click "Next"

8. Click "Browse"

9. Browse to "C:WINDOWSSystem32" Please note that if you do not have a "C:WINDOWS" look for "C:WINNT" instead.

10. Click "cleanmgr.exe"

11. Click "Weekly"

12. Click "Next"

13. Choose Run Time that is convenient for you. Sunday at 2AM is a good setting.

14. Enter the Admin User/Password

15. Check "Open advanced properties"

16. Click "Next"

17. 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

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

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.

1. Return the Focus to the DOS Prompt Window, by clicking the Window Border.

2. Type "notepad"; Press Enter.

3. Type echo y|chkdsk C: /f/r

   1. echo y|chkdsk for each additional drive letter: /f/r
   2. shutdown /r

4. When finished save the file by Clicking on "File"

5. Click "Save As"

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

Disk Check Second Phase

1. Return the Focus to the "Scheduled Tasks"

2. Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.]

3. Click "Next"

4. Click "Browse"

5. Browse to the location where you save the file "checkdisk.bat"

6. Click "Weekly"

7. Click "Next"

8. Choose Run Time that is convenient for you, Monday at 2AM is a good setting.

9. Enter the Admin User/Password

10. Check "Open advanced properties"

11. Click "Next"

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

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.

1. Return the Focus to the "Scheduled Tasks"

2. Double-Click "Add Scheduled Task" The schedule task wizard will open.

3. Click "Next"

4. Click "Browse"

5. Browse to "C:WINDOWSSystem32" Please note that if you do not have a "C:WINDOWS" look for "C:WINNT" instead.

6. Click "defrag.exe"

7. Click "Weekly"

8. Click "Next"

9. Choose Run Time that is convenient for you, Tuesday at 2AM is a good setting.

10. Enter the Admin User/Password

11. Check "Open advanced properties"

12. Click "Next"

13. From the "Task" Tab update the Run line with the following: "C:WINDOWSsystem32defrag.exe C"

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

15. 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.