Regularly defragging files on your hard drive is one way that you can optimize and improve the performance of your computer. The Disk Defragmenter utility in Vista rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. By default, Disk Defragmenter is scheduled to run at regular intervals when your computer is turned on, so you do not have to remember to run it.

The Disk Defragmenter utility in Vista is set to run every week to ensure your disk is defragmented. You do not need to do anything else. However, what you may want to do is change the default schedule to specify a different day and time for the Disk Defragmenter to run.

To change the default Disk Defragmenter schedule:

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click Disk Defragmenter.
2. If prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Click Modify schedule.
4. In the Disk Defragmenter: Modify Schedule dialog box, choose how often, what day, and at what time of the day you want defragmentation to occur.
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK again.