Run Scan Disk or Defrag in Safe Mode

Performing regular disk maintenance on our computers helps keep them running smoothly. However, some computer users are not able to successfully complete the two standard disk utility programs...Scan Disk and Defrag. Scan Disk may produce an error pop-up stating that it tried to complete the operation up to ten times, but wasn't able to complete it. Or, with defrag, the error may mention that another program is interrupting it.

The easiest way to avoid both of these situations is to run the utilities in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is the ugly version of Windows that you occasionally reach after a bad shut down. But, this ugly mode of Windows provides a great place to run your disk utilities free of errors. Here's how:

1. Restart your computer
2. As the computer starts to boot up, continually push the F8 key until you reach a menu of options
3. Type 3 or press F5 to continue booting
4. The system will boot to safe mode
5. Perform your utilities as normal
6. Click Start --> Shut Down and Restart
7. Your system will then boot back to normal.