How To Use Task Scheduler To Tweak Automatic Disk Defragmentation In Windows 7 / Vista
When using Windows 7/Vista, you will find many standard applications from Windows that have gotten a face lift. One of these programs is the Disk Defragmenter interface that has been changed into a dialog box now with a task scheduler to help you schedule defragmenting your hard drive. It will now work according to a schedule, automatically starting when the time is near. But the problem is if you miss the schedule as it will cause your system to slow down and the disk to start thrashing. Rather letting Windows decide how to schedule everything, it’s better you learn how to do it yourself. Here’s how you can go about it.
This is what the new defragmenter looks like:
It offers you three options in the Modify Schedule option: how often, what day and at what time. It doesn’t, however, give you control and power over when it should it be performed and it what manner.
To fine tune your defragmenter, open the Task Scheduler. Click on Start and type in Task Schedule in the search bar provided.
Once in the task manager, navigate to the following location: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Defrag.
Optimization
In order to begin the optimization of your schedule, double click on Scheduled Defrag. Click on the Triggers tab and then double click on the Weekly trigger. This will lead you to the Edit Trigger dialog box and let you edit your schedule.
At this window, you can change the setting to either disabling it completely or simply defragmenting it. Users will also have the power to run it using the Advanced Settings, to begin the disk fragmentation besides just what has been scheduled. Click on Begin the task drop down and make whatever selection suits you. Then, start the defragmentation.
Click OK once it has been completed.
How to Stop it
To stop the de-fragmenter from automatically starting, you want to go to Conditions. 4
Here, you can control how to auto defrag at any idle time. You can see the default time of three minutes and this often leads to a defragmentation at random times. Image Courtesy: AddictiveTips
