Windows File System Checker Tool

Windows File System Checker Tool

This tool walks you through SFC, DISM, CHKDSK, and related checks. Answer each step and the summary will suggest what to do next.

  • 1 Identify the type of problem
    ▼

    Choose what best describes why you’re considering SFC/DISM/CHKDSK.

    What’s going wrong?
  • 2 Run System File Checker (SFC)
    ▼

    SFC scans and repairs protected Windows system files.

    Are you comfortable using Command Prompt as Administrator?
    If yes, run this command:
    sfc /scannow

    This can take a while. Let it reach 100%.

    What was the result?
  • 3 Run DISM health checks
    ▼

    DISM checks and repairs the Windows component store, which SFC depends on.

    If comfortable, run these commands one by one:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    These commands can take a long time, especially /ScanHealth and /RestoreHealth.

    What was the overall DISM result?
  • 4 Run CHKDSK for disk/file system errors
    ▼

    CHKDSK checks the disk and file system for errors and corruption.

    If comfortable, run this command for your system drive (usually C:):
    chkdsk C: /f /r

    You may be asked to schedule this on next restart. Let it complete fully.

    What was the CHKDSK result?
  • 5 Check logs (optional, advanced)
    ▼

    Logs can show what SFC/DISM actually did.

    Are you comfortable looking at logs?
    If yes, you can check:
    SFC log: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
    DISM log: C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

    You don’t need to fully understand them; you’re mainly looking for repeated errors or failures.

    Did you see repeated errors in logs?
  • 6 System stability and symptoms after checks
    ▼

    How is the system behaving after SFC/DISM/CHKDSK?

    Current stability
    Current symptoms
  • 7 Repair install / reinstall consideration
    ▼

    Sometimes, the safest fix is a repair install or clean reinstall.

    Are you open to a repair install?
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