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== Using Check Disk to Scan For and Fix File System Errors ==
The Check Disk tool can be used either to scan for and report errors on a file system, or to locate and fix errors. The graphical from form of Check Disk can be invoked either from within Windows Explorer or the Disk Management tool. In either case, invoke the tool by right clicking on the drive in question, selecting ''Properties'', clicking the ''Tools'' tab and pressing the ''Check Now...'' button.
Once invoked, the initial Check Disk dialog will appear providing two options as illustrated below:
== Running Check Disk from the Command-prompt ==
The Check Disk process my may also be initiated from the command prompt using the '''chkdsk''' command combined with the designator of the drive on which the scan is to be performed. In addition to performing the same functions as the graphical version of Check Disk, the command prompt version also provides more detailed disk analysis and repair reports.
The '''chkdsk''' utility accepts a number of command line options which govern the tasks performed during execution. These options are outlined in the following table:
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To perform error fixing, run chkdsk with the ''/F'' option. Alternatively the ''/R'' option will perfrom perform the same error fixing as ''/F'' but will also check for bad sectors. The ''/X'' option performs the same error corrections as ''/F'' but also dismounts the volume before doing so.
== Defragmenting Disks with Disk Defragmenter ==
As such it is considered good practice to regularly monitor, and when necessary, defragment disk volumes.
One method for performing this task is to use the Disk Defragmenter tool which is accessed by right clicking on a disk volume in Windows Explorer or the Disk Management interface in Computer Management and selecting ''Properties''. In the properties dialog, select the ''Tools'' tab and click on ''Defragment Now...''. This will display the inital initial screen of the Disk Defragmenter as illustrated in the following figure:
The tool will perform a scan of the selected volume and report whether a defragmentation is recommended (and in the above example it is recommended). Click on ''Defragment now...'' to initiate the defragmentation process. This will cause the drive selection dialog to appear. Select one or more disks to defragment form from this dialog followed by ''OK'' to trigger the defragmentation process. As each selected drive is defragmented the progress will be displayed together with a button providing the option to cancel the process.
== Automated Disk Defragmentation ==
Windows Server 2008 also provides the option to automatically defragment disk drives as a background task. This is scheduled in the Disk Defragmenter tool which can be accessed eitehr either from within Windows Explorer or Disk Management as outlined above. Once invoked, automated disk defragmentation is configured by setting the ''Run on a schedule (recommended)'' toggle:
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To perform an analysis of a volume, simply invoke '''defrag''' using the ''-A'' option together with the designator of the drive to be anyalizedanalyzed:
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