Monday, September 30, 2013

Reset IP stack on windows

netsh int ip reset resetLog.txt

Start or Stop MS SQL Server using a shortcut

If you are like me you don't always develop against SQL Server on you local computer. Most of the time I use one of the servers in the office. I never seem to have enough memory, so I don't have the MS SQL Server service launch on startup. This saves memory for other things I am doing. However, when I want to start MS SQL Server, I hate navigating and starting it manually. I figured out that I can start it just by double-clicking a windows shortcut and that is really nice. I don't recommend making a shortcut that points to the sqlserver.exe, instead I recommend creating a shortcut that just starts the windows service. This way it is fully accessible, and works the way it was meant to. Here is what you do.
  1. Create a new shortcut.
  2. When it asks you to browse or specify the location of what you want the shortcut to point to, enter the following: cmd /c net start MSSQLSERVER
  3. Click next, and call the shortcut whatever you want.
Click finish, and that is it. Now you can start MS SQL Server manually, but with the click of an icon. You can stop it the same way, just use the following command: cmd /c net stop MSSQLSERVER

Open 2 Excel Files in separate windows

This change makes it so when you click an Excel file it will ALWAYS open in a new window (a different instance of Excel)

.XLSX

  1. I highly recommend you back up your registry before making any changes.
  2. Open regedit.exe
  3. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command
  4. Open (Double-click) the key called (Default)
  5. Change the value from
          "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE" /e to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE" /e “%1”
  6. Click the OK button
  7. Below the (Default) key you will see a key with the name command.
    Right click it and select Rename.
    Change the name to something else (it doesn’t matter what)
  8. Your screen should now look something like the following (I appended bv to the command key, but you should probably use something different) 
  9. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/ddeexec Right click it and select Rename.
    Change the name to something else (it doesn’t matter what)
  10. Your screen should now look something like the following: 
  11. You have now successfully made it so that when you open an existing Excel file (that has the extension .xlsx) it will open in a new window. This allows you to easily compare or view two Excel file at the same time. This is particular helpful if you have two monitors. You can also ways revert back if you decide you don’t like the change by undoing the changes made here, that is why we renamed instead of deleted the keys.
  12. .XLS

    You can follow the same instructions for .XLS except you will want to amend the instruction so that where ever you seeExcel.Sheet.12, replace it with Excel.Sheet.8.

How to determine if your Windows 7 Firewall is blocking your connection

If you are like me, you cannot turn off your Windows 7 Firewall for even a minute on your work computer. If you are lucky enough to have admin rights on your computer or you can add a rule to your firewall then you are in luck. It just so happens that you can add a rule that allows most anything to open a connection from your laptop to just about anywhere.
To add a rule, go to the Start Menu | Administrative Tools | Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Right-click the Inbound Rules on the left navigation area and then select New Rule…
Next choose Custom rule. Click the next button.
Leave all programs setting. Click the next button.
Leave Protocol type to Any. Click the next button.
Leave IP addresses as Any. Click the next button.
Make sure Allow the Connection radio button is check. Click the next button.
Choose all three (Domain, Private, Public). Click the next button.
Give the rule something descriptive.
You have now opened up your computer for potential attack (at least from inbound). I highly recommend you not keep this rule enabled.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

How to Enable and Disable spell checker in Winword

Go to Review tab -> Language -> Set Proofing Language. Check the checkbox Do not check spelling and grammar.

How to avoid ‘Run as Administrator’ in Windows7?

Am sure most of you are frustrated to use ‘Run as Administrator’ for many tools in Windows7. Below are the steps to avoid using ‘Run as Administrator’ option for any application running in Windows 7 and let’s make the application run under administrative privileges by default.
To set this property, just right-click on any shortcut, and click the Advanced button on the Shortcut page to get to the Advanced Properties dialog.
You’ll see a dialog with a checkbox for “Run as administrator”.
Now on, the application runs under administrative privileges by default.

How to make the web pages load faster in IE8

Do you experience poor response/load time of your web pages in IE8. Here is what you can do to make your web page load faster in Internet Explorer 8.
This post suggest you to make the changes to the registry. Hence cautions in making the changes to registry. Before making changes to the registry, you should back up any valued data on the computer.
  1. Open Registry Editor by typing REGEDIT into the Run dialog in the start menu
  2. Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings.
  3. Right click and create a new DWORD key and name it “MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server”
  4. Double click the key to set a value. The number 12 should be good.
  5. Right click and create a another new DWORD key and name it “MaxConnectionsPerServer”
  6. Double click on the key and set the value. The number 12 should be good.
  7. Close the Registry Editor
  8. Restart your your Internet Browser.
Hope you will see difference while browsing majority of sites on internet.

How to clear Page file in Windows Server

I was running a dev server which has got 60 GB HDD and couple months later observed that there is no free space. I was looking at the space why it has occupied fully and after sometime understood that the PageFile.sys is having 6.5 GB and wondered how to clear this with simple steps as pagefile.sys is managed by Windows.
 
Finally found the way.
 
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
  2. Change the data value of the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value in the following registry key to a value of 1:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
    If the value does not exist, add the following value:
    Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown
    Value Type: REG_DWORD
    Value: 1
Note: This change does not take effect until you restart the computer. 
This has given me more space and had cleared other unwanted files to ensure the server runs without space issues.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

How to convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes

SYNOPSIS:
Converting between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.

SOLUTION:
1 byte = 1 character
1 kilobyte (kb) = 1024 bytes
1 megabyte (Mb) = 1024 kb = 1,048,576 bytes
1 gigabyte (Gb) = 1024 Mb = 1,048,576 kb = 1,073,741,824 bytes

Windows: How to change auto-login to prompt all users with Ctr+Alt+Delete

Synopsis:
How do I change the Windows auto-login setting? My computer just starts up and I don't get a chance to enter a user name and password.

Solution:

If your computer is auto-logging in as Administrator, change the settings so that the computer prompts for a user name and password at startup.
  • Click on the Start button
  • Pull up to Run
  • In the Open field, type in the command control userpasswords2
  • Click the Advanced tab
  • Under Secure Logon, place a check next to Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Windows XP: New drive or mapped network drive not available in Explorer

Synopsis:
Windows XP: New drive or mapped network drive not available in Explorer

Solution:

Microsoft has published a Knowledgebase article that documents the trouble when you create a new volume on a local disk or plug in a removable drive (for example, a USB floppy drive or PCMCIA flash card).
Symptoms are described as follows:
  • an existing mapped network drive is no longer available in Windows Explorer
  • the new drive is not available in Windows Explorer
  • the new drive appears in Windows Explorer, but when you open it the contents of the existing drive are displayed
  • the existing drive appears in Windows Explorer, but when you open it the contents of the new drive are displayed
  • After your computer starts, the network drive may be replaced by the new drive
  • After you disconnect the new drive, the mapped network drive letter has the same logical drive letter that it had before you added the new drive.
  • You may receive the following error message when you start your computer "The local device name is already in use."

Windows XP Home: Desktop icons disappear

SYNOPSIS:
The desktop icons are gone and seem to have disappeared on a Windows XP Home computer.

SOLUTION:
Right-click on the desktop and ensure that "Show Desktop Items" is selected.

What are the minimum hardware recommendations for Windows 7?

For acceptable performance for users who mainly use their computers for Internet browsing, using Microsoft Office, sending e-mail, and listening to music, the following are computer hardware minimum recommendations:
  • A Dell Optiplex GX280; Dell Latitude D610; Lenovo X41 notebook and tablet
  • 1 Ghz Intel Pentium M, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo; or AMD Athlon 64, Turion 64
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 128 MB ATI or nVidia graphics card (or integrated video)
  • 40 GB hard drive
  • CD-R/RW/DVD combo drive

What edition of Windows Vista is installed on my computer?

Synopsis:
Vista: What edition of Windows Vista s installed on my computer?

Solution:

To determine what version of Windows Vista is installed on your computer, use the following instructions:
  • Click on the Start button
  • Select Control Panel
  • Select System and Maintenance
  • Select Welcome Center
The edition of Vista installed on your computer will be displayed near the top of the window.

Help files (.hlp extensions) do not work and are no longer supported

Synopsis:
Windows Vista and older .HLP Help files

Solution:

Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) is a Help program that has been included with all previous Microsoft Windows operating systems prior to Microsoft Vista. WinHlp32.exe is required in order to display 32-bit help content files that have the ".HLP" file name extension, which are built into the operating system and almost all programs and applications written for Windows computers.
Windows Vista does NOT include Winhlp32.exe. Older applications may still use 32-bit .HLP files. Microsoft has directed software vendors to port/re-write their help files from the .HLP format to the other widely supported Help file formats (.CHM, .HTML, or .XML). In the meantime, applications that continue to use .HLP files will need winhlp32.exe to be able to view them on Vista computers.
To install Winhlp32 on a Vista machine, refer to the following Microsoft Help and Support Article for download and installation instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607

What are the differences between the new editions of Windows 7?



  • Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise
    Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise are the most complete editions of Windows 7. Both versions offer everything that Windows 7 Pro does, plus multi-language packs (so your computer can work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages) and Microsoft encryption software (BitLocker). Most users probably do not need these advanced capabilities. Enterprise is only for faculty and staff computers purchased with University monies through licensing arrangements, and is not available for student purchase. Enterprise should never be installed on any personally owned computer.
  • Windows 7 Pro
    Most Windows users at Princeton will find Windows 7 Pro the version to meet their needs. This edition is full-featured in terms of graphic, media, and entertainment features, and users who work extensively with visual media (e.g. photographic and video) and/or currently use the Windows Media Center edition, will find the features of the Pro edition useful or required. Windows 7 Pro also includes networking, security, and functionality and is designed for the office environment; in fact this version was designed to meet the needs of a small business. Faculty, staff, and students who do not purchase a computer through the University should consider this the recommended operating system required and the recommended version for purchase.
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
    Windows 7 Home Premium is targeted for use on computers for your home. The Home edition will not support full integration with all campus computing services. If you are planning on purchasing a new computer for home use, it is recommended that, at the minimum, you purchase Home Premium. If you are an Exchange user, you should purchase Windows 7 Pro.

History of Windows operating system versions

For help finding out which version of Windows you are running, click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in this version history. It will be one of the following:
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7 SP1 (Service Pack 1)
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista SP2 (Service Pack 2)
  • Windows Vista SP1 (Service Pack 1)
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2)
  • Windows XP
  • Windows XP Home
  • Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 2 available)
  • Windows Millenium (ME)
  • Windows NT
  • Windows 98 Second Edition - 32-Bit Windows
  • Windows 98 4.10.1998 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows 95c OSR 2.5 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows 95b OSR 2.1 and OSR 2.0 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows 95a OSR 1 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows 95 4.00.950 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows for Workgroups 3.11 - 16-Bit Windows (English)
  • Windows 3.1 - 16-Bit Windows (English)

Windows XP
Click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in the version history.
If installing Windows XP Professional, Microsoft suggests a minimum of:
  • Pentium II 300 mhz CPU
  • 128 megs of RAM
  • 1.5 gig hard drive space
Microsoft offers a Windows XP Upgrade Advisor at the URL:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
**********
Windows 2000
Click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in the version history.
Previous versions of the Windows operating system will provide at least basic network connectivity and functionality for PCs on the Princeton network. For Windows 2000, Microsoft suggests a minimum of:
  • Pentium II 200 mhz or faster CPU (Pentium 166 mhz minimum)
  • 96 to 128 megs RAM
  • 2 gig hard drive space

How to Turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows

Windows 7/Windows Vista: How to Turn on the Automatic Updates feature
  • Log in to your computer as Administrator
  • Click Start, point to All Programs, and select Windows Update
  • In the menu on the left, click Change Settings
  • Click the radio button for Install updates automatically
  • Click OK
Important: You can set the automatic download time for any time, day or night. Just be sure your computer is on at that time. (To avoid slow-downs, we recommend a time when you will not be using the computer yourself. The computer will need to be turned on, however.) If you set up Automatic Updates to notify you, or if you forget to leave your computer on, you will see a notification balloon. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates. Be sure to click the balloon to install new update!

Windows 8: How to Turn on the Automatic Updates feature
  • Open the Charm bar
  • Click on Settings
  • Click on Control Panel
  • Click on System and Security
  • Click on Windows Update
  • Click Change Settings in left Column
  • From the drop down menu, choose Install updates automatically (recommended)
Important: You can set the automatic download time for any time, day or night. Just be sure your computer is on at that time. (To avoid slow-downs, we recommend a time when you will not be using the computer yourself. The computer will need to be turned on, however.) If you set up Automatic Updates to notify you, or if you forget to leave your computer on, you will see a notification balloon. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates. Be sure to click the balloon to install new updates!

To manually bring your computer up-to-date right now

Synopsis:
Windows Update: How to manually update your operating system and configure Automatic Update feature


Solution:

All Windows computers should utilize the Windows Update feature for important security reasons. Here's how you can bring your computer up-to-date with security updates that are available from Microsoft, either manually or automatically. You can also use these instructions to keep up with the latest non-critical updates.
  • Log in to your computer as an Administrator
  • Click Start, point to All Programs, and select Windows Update
  • On the left hand side of the screen, click on Check for updates
  • If updates are available for your system, you will see a button appear labeled Install updates
  • Click Install updates to begin the update process. You may need to restart your computer after installing updates.

  • Open the Charm bar
  • Click on Settings
  • Click on Control Panel
  • Click on System and Security
  • Click on Windows Update
  • Click Check for Updates in left Column

How to compress and uncompress (zip) files

Synopsis: 
Windows: How to compress and uncompress files

Solution:

To compress files you first have to create a compressed (zipped) folder. In order to do that, follow the steps below:
  • Open My Computer.
  • Double-click a drive or folder where you want to make the compressed folder.
  • On the File menu, point to New, and then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.
  • Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER.
Now that you have a compressed folder, any file copied into that folder will be automatically compressed.
Similarly, if you move a file from the folder (copy it from the compressed folder into any other folder) the file will be automatically uncompressed.
If you want to uncompress all the files in the folder at once, you may also use Extract all files command. In order to extract all files at once, follow the steps below:
  • Open the compressed folder
  • Go to Folder Tasks list
  • Click Extract all files
  • Choose the location to place the extracted files
  • Click OK
Note: If you use the Extract all files command, the original compressed files remain in the compressed folder.

Change the default e-mail client in Windows XP

  • Click on the Start Menu
  • Select Settings from the list and click on Control Panel
  • From the Control Panel screen select Internet Options
  • Select the Programs tab at the top of the window
  • Locate E-Mail on the left side of the page and select the client you wish to set as your default from the list
  • Click OK to save your settings

Change the default e-mail client in Windows Vista

  • Click on the Start Button
  • Select Default Programs from the menu
  • Click on Set your default programs
  • Locate and select the e-mail client you wish to set as your default from the list
  • With your choice selected click on Set this program as default
  • Click OK to save your settings

How to assign administrator privileges to a local account

  • Click on the Start Button
  • Right-click on Computer and choose Manage
  • In the left frame click on the arrow next to Local Users and Groups to expand this selection
  • Click on Groups
  • Locate and double-click on Administrators in the right frame
  • Click the Add button at the bottom of the screen
  • Under "Enter the object names to select" field type the name of the account you wish to give administrator rights to
    • If your computer is joined to the Princeton domain this would be "Princeton\netID"
    • If your computer is NOT joined to the domain you should enter the account username you use to logon to your computer here.
    • Click OK to save your changes

How to set or change your default web browser in Windows

  • If not already in Desktop mode, enter it by tapping the Windows and the D key at the same time.
  • Move the mouse to the lower-right hand corner of the screen to activate the "Gadget" bar and select Settings (gear icon)
  • Select Control Panel
  • Select Programs
  • Select Default Programs
  • Click on Set your default programs
  • Locate and select the web browser you wish to set as your default from the list
  • With your choice selected, click on Set this program as default
  • Click OK to save your settings

Change the default programs used in Windows 7/Windows Vista
  • Click on the Start Button
  • Select Control Panel
  • Select Programs
  • Select Default Programs
  • Click on Set your default programs
  • Locate and select the web browser you wish to set as your default from the list
  • With your choice selected click on Set this program as default
  • Click OK to save your settings

To make Firefox your default browser
  • Open Firefox
  • From the Tools pull-down menu select Options
  • Click on the Advanced tab
  • In the area called System Defaults, click on the Check Now button.
  • If Firefox is not set to be your default browser, you wll be given the option to make it the default.

Java: How to unplug the Java plug-in of your web browser for security

Synopsis:
Java: How to disable Java in your web browser and unplug it

Solution:
Java is both software installed on your computer as well as a plug-in for your web browser. Browser plug-ins have become the most common attack vector for system compromises, and for security reasons it is recommended that you disable Java browser plugins in all of your browsers if you do not need them to support a browser-based application. It is becoming less and less common to rely upon Java support in the browser side of web applications.

To unplug Java in Firefox
  1. Click on the Tools pull-down menu and select Add-ons
  2. In the Add-ons Manager window, select Plugins
  3. Click Java (TM) Platform plugin to select it
  4. Click Disable (if the button displays Enable then Java is already disabled)

To unplug Java in Safari
  1. Choose Safari Preferences
  2. Choose the Security option
  3. Uncheck Enable Java
  4. Close Safari Preferences window

To unplug Java in Chrome
  1. Click on the Chrome menu, and then select Settings.
  2. At the bottom of Settings window, click Show advanced settings
  3. Scroll down to the Privacy section and click on Content Settings.
  4. In the Content Settings panel, scroll down to the Plug-ins section.
  5. Under the Plug-ins section, click Disable individual plug-ins.
  6. In the Plugins panel, scroll to the Java section. Click Disable to disable the Java Plug-in.
  7. Close and restart Chrome.

Internet Explorer
The only way to completely disable Java in Internet Explorer (IE) is through the Java Control Panel and requires administrative access. Make sure Internet Explorer is closed. When you find the Java Control Panel, disable Java on the Security tab.
Windows 8
  • Use search to find the Control Panel
  • Find the Java Control Panel
  • Press Windows logo key + W to open the Search charm to search settings
OR
  • Drag the Mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click on the Search icon.
  • In the search box enter Java Control Panel
  • Click on Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
  • Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
  • In the Control Panel Search enter Java Control Panel.
  • Click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.
  • Windows XP
    • Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
    • Double-click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Installing Loopback interface in Windows 7

This tutorial will show you how to install a Loopback interface in Windows which can later be used to make GNS3 connect to real physical devices or even the internet.

1. Open the start menu and type hdwwiz
2. A wizard to install hardware will appear, Click next
3. Click the dial to install hardware manually then next
4.Scroll down till Network adapters, highlight then click next
5. On the manufacturer side, make sure you highlight Microsoft, then choose Microsoft Loopback Adapter.
6. Click Next then Finish , Just make sure you restart your computer before using it.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Will sleep eventually drain my laptop battery?

Sleep requires an extremely small amount of power. If your laptop battery charge gets critically low while the computer is asleep, Windows automatically puts the laptop into hibernation mode.

How can i prevent my machine from automatically sleeping or hibernating?

You can adjust how long your computer waits before sleeping or hibernating—or prevent it from turning itself off altogether. But be careful. On a battery powered laptop, inhibiting sleep or hibernation can result in data loss if the battery dies. Here's how to prevent your computer from entering a power-saving state:
  1. Open Power Options by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then clicking Power Options.
  2. On the Select a power plan page, click Change plan settings next to the selected plan.
  3. On the Change settings for the plan page, click Change advanced power settings.
  4. On the Advanced settings tab, double-click Sleep, double-click Sleep after, and then do one of the following:
    • If you're using a laptop, click On battery or Plugged in (or both), click the arrow, and then click Never.
    • If you're using a desktop computer, click Setting, click the arrow, and then click Never.
  5. Double-click Hibernate after, and then do one of the following:
    • If you're using a laptop, click On battery or Plugged in (or both), click the arrow, and then click Never.
    • If you're using a desktop computer, click Setting, click the arrow, and then click Never.
  6. If you also want the display to stay turned on, double-click Display, double-click Turn off display after, and then do one of the following:
    • If you're using a laptop, click On battery or Plugged in (or both), click the arrow, and then click Never.
    • If you're using a desktop computer, click Setting, click the arrow, and then click Never.
  7. Click OK, and then click Save changes.

Monday, September 9, 2013

What's the diff b/w Sleep, Hibernation, Hybrid sleep

Sleep is a power-saving state that allows a computer to quickly resume full-power operation (typically within several seconds) when you want to start working again. Putting your computer into the sleep state is like pausing a DVD player—the computer immediately stops what it’s doing and is ready to start again when you want to resume working.
Hibernation is a power-saving state designed primarily for laptops. While sleep puts your work and settings in memory and draws a small amount of power, hibernation puts your open documents and programs on your hard disk, and then turns off your computer. Of all the power-saving states in Windows, hibernation uses the least amount of power. On a laptop, use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time.
Hybrid sleep is designed primarily for desktop computers. Hybrid sleep is a combination of sleep and hibernate—it puts any open documents and programs in memory and on your hard disk, and then puts your computer into a low-power state so that you can quickly resume your work. That way, if a power failure occurs, Windows can restore your work from your hard disk. When hybrid sleep is turned on, putting your computer into sleep automatically puts your computer into hybrid sleep. Hybrid sleep is typically turned on by default on desktop computers.

Delete files using Disk Cleanup

If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need. For more information about deleting files from the Recycle Bin, see Permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin.

To delete files using Disk Cleanup

The following procedure cleans up files associated with your user account. You can also use Disk Cleanup to clean up all the files on your computer.
  1. Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Disk Cleanup, and then, in the list of results, click Disk Cleanup.
  2. In the Drives list, click the hard disk drive that you want to clean up, and then click OK.
  3. In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, on the Disk Cleanup tab, select the check boxes for the file types that you want to delete, and then click OK.
  4. In the message that appears, click Delete files.

Improve performance by defragmenting your hard disk

Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually.
  1. Open Disk Defragmenter by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking Disk Defragmenter. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  2. Click Defragment Now.
Disk Defragmenter might take from several minutes to a few hours to finish, depending on the size and degree of fragmentation of your hard disk. You can still use your computer during the defragmentation process.