How To Defrag Windows 8?

Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft has implemented a new defragmentation API known as the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). With this new API, defragmentation is now integrated with file system mini-filter drivers at the lower layers of the hard drive stack. This means that Windows 8 can achieve the same or better level of performance as previous versions of Windows (such as Windows XP) for most file systems. On the other hand, this also means that there are less options for us to control how and when defragmentation is performed in Windows 8.

Defragging your computer basically means grouping all the segments of the hard drive to optimize them. Oftentimes, files in your computer can be stored in different parts of the hard drive which makes it difficult for the computer to read the disk. Consequently, this will slow down your PC’s performance.

The process of defragmentation helps to store the files in a continuous manner so your computer can work optimally. In Windows 8, this process is known as optimization. In this article, we will look at a step-by-step guide on how to defrag Windows 8.

Method 1

1. Click the Start button and type the word “Defrag” on the search bar.
2. You will see several options suggested. Choose and click on Defragment and Optimize drives.
   
3. This will open the Optimize Drives application. Alternatively, you can open this application by turning on your computer and clicking a hard drive. Then, tap or click the Optimize button.
4. On the Optimize Drives window, select a drive and click Analyze. This process analyzes the fragmentation level of the disc and launches the defragmentation process. If you have more than one hard drive, you will need to analyze each of the hard drives. This process can take a few hours to complete, and it is advisable not to do much work on your computer while it is going on.
   
5. Other than analyzing the drives, you also need to optimize them. For this process, look for a drive that is in a non-solid state and is 10% or more fragmented. Select the drive by clicking on it and then click Optimize. It is important to note that a solid state drive and is 10% less fragmented don’t need any optimization.
   
6. Once you click Optimize, the defragmentation process will begin, and this can take hours. As the process goes on, make sure that you do not use a file or program on the drive being optimized.
7. After the defragmentation process is complete, click Close to exit the Optimize Drives window.

Method 2: Use Third Party Defrag Utility

There are numerous third-party defrag utilities that you can use to defrag your disk in Window 8. One such tool is the Avast Cleanup that comes with its own defrag program and runs automatically. It comes with a free trial and works well to free up storage space, speed up performance, and prolong your hard drive’s lifespan.

How to Change Optimization Schedule?

Windows 8 is set by default to optimize each hard drive on a weekly basis. To know this, go to the Optimize Drives window and see if the option is tuned on. If it is, then it means that your drives are optimized regularly.

If the optimization is not scheduled, follow these steps below:

1. Go to Change settings and enter your admin username and password.
   
2. In the Optimize Drives box, you should see Run on a Schedule option. Click the box next to it to turn on scheduled optimization.
   
3. Then, go to Frequency and choose how often you want the drives to be optimized from the options provided. You may choose daily, weekly, or monthly.
   
4. The next step is to select the drives that you intend for the scheduled optimization. To do this, go to the Drives option and select Choose. Select the drives that you want and check their boxes.
   
5. Lastly, click OK to apply the changes. Then, click Close to exit the Optimize Drives tab.
   

Summary: Defrag Windows 8

• How to defrag Windows 8?
• Choose when to defragment the hard drive
• Use the Disk Defragment tool
• If you want to change the schedule, select Change Settings.
• Uncheck Run on a Schedule if you only want to run manually.
• Select Scheduled and then pick how often it will run.
• Press Start and select Control Panel.
• Click on System and Security.
• Choose Defragment your hard drive from Administrative Tools.

Conclusion

Defragging is a safe way to boost the performance of your PC. If your computer has been operating slowly, try the steps above to defragment the hard disc for Windows 8 and boost your PC’s performance.