When using the Windows optimization tool, you might encounter the "system hard disk drive requires optimization" problem. For those looking for solutions, this article provides a step-by-step guide.

A sluggish disk can result from fragmentation within the file system. When a hard drive becomes fragmented, its data blocks are spread out across the drive, making it take longer to access the required data. Therefore, optimizing your hard drive performance through Disk Defragmentation is essential.

Nevertheless, when using the Windows built-in optimizer to defragment your hard drive, you might notice that it indicates the system hard disk drive requires optimization, with fragmentation stuck at 100%, 77%, or 29%. This means the program allows you to optimize your drive but encounters issues while defragmenting the system-reserved drive.

I’ve defragmented the C drive multiple times, yet it still shows it needs optimization. My hard disk has been slow recently and I need to address this.

Why does the system drive require optimization but cannot be defragmented? There are numerous reasons behind this issue, such as system maintenance errors, hard disk errors, insufficient system reserved partition space, etc.

Here, we will explain how to resolve the “system drive needs optimization” issue.

Method 1: Use MiniTool System Booster

As useful or unnecessary files accumulate on the hard drive or the C drive fills up over time, your PC may become sluggish or freeze. To eliminate the “system hard disk drive requires optimization” issue, the best Windows cleaner—MiniTool System Booster—is recommended.

This tool includes a feature named Deepclean that lets you thoroughly clean up your PC, including clearing the Internet, Windows, registry, and memory space, addressing security issues, and defragmenting your hard drive.

Step 1: Launch MiniTool System Booster and click Deepclean from the dropdown menu in the Performance Home tab.

Step 2: Simply click the START CLEAN button. It will then start the scan and cleanup tasks. To defragment your hard drive, pay attention to tasks 3 and 6.

#1. NetBooster

#2. Internet Cleanup

#3. Windows Cleanup

Cleaning up your computer involves necessary Windows cleanup, where the PC cleaner can remove Windows junk files, broken shortcuts, temporary files, etc. Review the detected items and tap CLEAN SELECTED. After the cleanup, another task begins.

#4. Registry Cleanup

#5. Security Optimizer

#6. Program Accelerator

This task realigns program data on the hard drive. By reorganizing program data and defragmenting files on the hard drive, it boosts file access speed and enhances drive efficiency.

#7. Memory Mechanic

Method 2: Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter

System maintenance bugs are a potential cause of the “system needs optimization Windows 11” issue. According to several affected users, this issue can be resolved by running the System Maintenance Troubleshooter. Here's the complete guidance you can follow:

Step 1: Type control panel in the Search box. Change View by: to Small icons.

Step 2: Click Troubleshooting. Then, click the View all option on the left side of the screen.

Step 3: In the System Maintenance box, click the Advanced option.

Step 4: Check the Apply repairs automatically option and click Next.

Step 5: Click Try troubleshooting as an administrator, and then this tool will begin to identify the issue.

Method 3: Use CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a disk error-checking and repair utility built into Windows 11/10. It scans hard drive partitions for internal errors and repairs them simultaneously. To use CHKDSK to fix the “system hard disk drive needs optimization” issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type cmd in the Search box. Then right-click Command Prompt and select the Run as administrator option. Then, click Yes to gain Admin access.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the chkdsk C: /f command and press Enter. “C” represents the hard drive partition letter.

Method 4: Move Programs and Files from the C Drive to Another

On a computer's hard drive, there is only so much space available. If you fill it up, the device may become slower or face problems with programs. To fix the “system hard disk drive needs optimization” issue, you can move programs from the C drive to another drive to free up some disk space.

Step 1: Press the Windows I keys together to open Settings.

Step 2: Go to Apps > Apps & Features.

Step 3: Scroll down, select an app you wish to move, and click the Move button.

Step 4: Choose the destination drive and click Move.

Method 5: Install All Pending Updates

When confronted with the “system drive needs optimization” error, installing the pending updates on your system may resolve the error. To do this, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press the Windows I keys together to open Settings. Then, select Update & Security from the menu.

Step 2: Click the Check for updates button. If there are any pending updates available, you can download and install them.

Related post: How to Get Rid of the “Windows Update Pending Install” Error

Final Thoughts

How to fix the “system hard disk drive needs optimization” issue? Now, you know five methods after reading this post. Just try one of them if you have a need.

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