How to Defrag in Safemode

By Chris Miksen

Safe Mode is a mode in Windows that loads only the necessary files and drivers. Safe Mode is primarily used to troubleshoot software. You may wish to defragment your computer in Safe Mode if for some reason you cannot access Disk Defragmenter upon normal boot-up. Disk Defragmenter does not work in Safe Mode with Windows 7, but it does run in Safe Mode in Windows Vista. The defragmenter runs silently, so you may not know that it's running at all.

Click the "Start" menu. Click the small right arrow next to the lock icon. Select "Restart."

Begin pressing the "F8" key on your keyboard until the Windows "Boot Options" screen appears. Use your arrow keys to scroll up to "Safe Mode" and press "Enter." Safe Mode will load.

Click the "Start" menu. Select "All Programs" and click the "Accessories" folder. Click "System Tools" and select "Disk Defragmenter."

Select "Defragment Now." No progress bar will be displayed, nor will any additional windows open. Disk Defragmenter will run silently in the background until the task is completed, at which time you will be notified.

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