Create a preventive maintenance plan for your computer

Preventive Maintenance Activity Recommended Frequency

Clean up the hard disk of temporary files Weekly
Rearrange (defragment) the hard disk Monthly
Check the hard disk for errors Weekly

To set up Disk Cleanup to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.
3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears,
. Click Next. Accessing the Scheduled Task Wizard
4.You'll find a list of applications within the Scheduled Task Wizard. Scroll down this list until you find Disk Cleanup. Click on Disk Wizard to highlight it,
. Click Next.
Selecting Disk Cleanup from the Scheduled Task Wizard.
5.Select a frequency for the Disk Cleanup to run. Running this task weekly is suggested,
Click Next.
Setting the frequency of Disk Cleanup.
6.Select the best day and time of the week for the Disk Cleanup to run. Pick a time when you know you won't be using your computer,
Click Next.
Picking a day and time for Disk Cleanup to run.
7.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.
Associating a user with the Disk Cleanup scheduled task.
Congratulations! You've successfully scheduled your Disk Cleanup to run, as confirmed . Your PC will now automatically run Disk Cleanup on the date and time you scheduled—even if you're logged off your computer.
Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.
Successfully scheduling Windows to run Disk Cleanup.


To set up Disk Defragmenter to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.
3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.
4.Disk Fragmenter isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\defrag.exe. Select defrag.exe and click Open, .
Navigating to defrag.exe.
5.The Scheduled Task Wizard asks you to define the frequency for defrag.exe to run. Monthly is suggested. Click Next.
6.You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Pick a time you won't likely be using your computer.
If you selected a Monthly time frame, you're able to define what months and what day of the month this task should run. Keep all months selected, and pick a day of the month that works for you,
7.Select a start time that differs from your other scheduled tasks. That way, you won't have multiple tasks starting at exactly the same time. Click Next.
Picking a time frame for Disk Defragmenter to run.
8.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.
9.The next dialog box in the wizard states that you've successfully scheduled Disk Fragmenter to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.


To set up Check Disk to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.
3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.
4.Check Disk isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\chkdsk.exe. Select chkdsk.exe and click Open,
Navigating to chkdsk.exe.
5.The Scheduled Task Wizard prompts you to define the frequency for chkdsk.exe to run. Select Weekly and click Next.
6.You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Select a time you won't likely be using your computer. Make sure this start time differs from your other scheduled tasks. Avoid having your tasks start at the same time.
7.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Disk Fragmenter will run as if you started it. Click Next.
8.A wizard page appears, stating that you've successfully scheduled Check Disk to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.