sysInternals Contig

Why use Contig?

In order to keep a Windows NT/2000 system running in prime condition, it is necessary to defragment the harddisks regularly, including the operating system's files. Defragmenting a harddisk can be done using the built-in "Disk Defragmenter" in Computer Management. However, there are two situations when this tool isn't the best solution:

1. If you want to defragment individual files and folder fast and effectively (instead of the total volume).
2. If you have a heavily fragmented volume on the disk.

In these cases, it is best to use contig, a freeware utility created by sysInternals, along with the Disk Defragmenter tool.
Contig optimizes individual files so that they consist of as few fragments as possible.
If you have a disk on which a lot of files are fragmented, or a few files consist of a lot of fragments it is wise (and in the end faster and more effective) to start with running "contig <driveletter:\> /s" once or twice, and only then starting the Disk Defragmenter. If necessary, it is possible to repeat this procedure until fragmentation is limited.

Additionally, it is advisable to use PageDefrag so that pagefile, hibernation file and the registry are optimized automatically during system startup so that these files consist of as few fragments as possible. This is necessary because these files are always in use by the operating system so that they cannot be defragmented while the system is running.

Usage

• Copy contig.exe to the Windows NT folder (C:\WinNT)
• Start the command contig /? for usage information on this tool.
• It very well possible to run contig defragmentation in the background while you are doing your work in another application!