When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10?

Over time, the files on your hard drive will be fragmented, and your computer will gradually "slow down" because you have to "check" the files in different locations on the hard drive. To make your computer run faster and smoother, you can use the tools available on Windows 10 to defragment files.

Automatic defragmentation means to extend the life and performance of your drive.

Just like Windows 8 and Windows 7, Windows 10 also automatically defragments files according to a schedule (by default, once a week). However, the tools don't always run and run continuously. If you notice, you will see the files load very long or after 1 month (maybe longer) how will you see the drives on the Windows operating system fragmented?

When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10? Picture 1

Another point to note about Solid State Drives (SSD): SSDs work differently than traditional hard drives. SSDs do not need fragmentation. However, Windows also defragments the SSD once a month if necessary and if System Restore is enabled.

With an SSD, you can use Optimize Drive tool to optimize the drive, including sending TRIM commands to optimize performance.

For mechanical hard drives, you can check and fix fragmentation by following the steps below:

1. Open the Disk Optimization tool by entering the optimize keyword or defrag to the Search box in the Taskbar.

When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10? Picture 2

2. On the Optimize Drives interface, select your hard drive then click Analyze . If you have an SSD, the option will be gray and unavailable.

When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10? Picture 3

3. Check% of fragmented files.

When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10? Picture 4

4. If you want to defragment your drive, click Optimize .

When and how to defragment hard drives on Windows 10? Picture 5

After Windows finishes the process, on Optimize Drives utility interface you will see% of fragmented files are 0%. However, you should note that this method is applicable to normal HDD, but with SSD hard drive, there is almost no need to defragment!

Refer to some of the following articles:

Why does Linux need no defragmentation?

Fix Windows 10 error with just one click with FixWin

Unlock and improve Windows 10 features with 5 Registry tricks

5 ways to overcome the situation of slow computer

Good luck!

defragment defragment Windows 10 hard drive

Kareem Winters

Update 26 May 2019

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