How to defrag hard drive for non-admins

[GreyWolf]

I am trying figure to setup a process to defrag the local C: drive on a
computer in a domain enviroment. We are running Windows XP. I have tried to
setup a scheduled task but I am having problems with it getting it to run
under non-administrative accounts. I would like to set this up and include it
in our syspreped image for future computers. Any help would be appreciated.

GC

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am trying figure to setup a process to defrag the local C: drive
on a computer in a domain enviroment. We are running Windows XP.
I have tried to setup a scheduled task but I am having problems
with it getting it to run under non-administrative accounts. I
would like to set this up and include it in our syspreped image for
future computers. Any help would be appreciated.

Why are you trying to setup the defragmentation scheduled task under a
non-administrative account? Just set a scheduled task under an
administrative account - you don't have to be logged on to run a scheduled
defragmentation.

 

[GreyWolf]

Ok then I was doing correctly. Logon with a local admin account set the task
up and even though it does not show up under a non-admin account logon it
still runs. Correct? The reason I am stating this is I was told by a
co-worker that I was wrong

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am trying figure to setup a process to defrag the local C: drive
on a computer in a domain enviroment. We are running Windows XP.
I have tried to setup a scheduled task but I am having problems
with it getting it to run under non-administrative accounts. I
would like to set this up and include it in our syspreped image for
future computers. Any help would be appreciated.

Why are you trying to setup the defragmentation scheduled task
under a non-administrative account? Just set a scheduled task
under an administrative account - you don't have to be logged on to
run a scheduled defragmentation.

Ok then I was doing correctly. Logon with a local admin account
set the task up and even though it does not show up under a
non-admin account logon it still runs. Correct? The reason I am
stating this is I was told by a co-worker that I was wrong

I don't know what you are using for your command line in the scheduled task,
but I am assuming you are setting it up to run whether or not you are logged
on and you are specifying the credentials and/or setting it up as SYSTEM.

You can have it log the results (in a way):

defrag %systemdrive% -f >> %systemdrive%\defrag.log

If the above is your command line in the scheduled task (with credentials
you manually set to an administrative level user and/or SYSTEM account...)
then some time after it runs you should find the output of the command in
the root of the system drive of the machine, starting with something like:

"Windows Disk Defragmenter
Copyright (c) 2001 Microsoft Corp. and Executive Software International,
Inc.

Analysis Report"

The log file should quiet the co-worker and ease your fears of being
incorrect.

With a list of machines, adminstrative rights and a batch script you could
setup the scheduled task pretty simply on all the machines you want
remotely, as SYSTEM if you like. A little more effort (a share where
everyone can write, etc) you could even have them logging to a central
location. With a little more - heck - they could log it and email to you,
everytime it ran, the resulting log file.

 

[GreyWolf]

I do appreciate the time you have taken in helping me with this. I have done
what you have sugguested prior to your posting earlier this morning when I
looking at the details of the defrag command and sent the log file and how to
do it to my co-worker.

I hope you have a Blessed day.