Scan and Fix Corrupt System Files in Windows - A Guide
Troubleshooting Windows System File Issues
If your personal computer is exhibiting unstable behavior or experiencing difficulties during the boot process, it’s plausible that Windows system files have become damaged, are missing, or have been altered due to a software installation. Similar to earlier Windows iterations, Windows 10 incorporates a Command Prompt tool called Windows Resource Protection.
This tool is designed to scan, validate, and repair critical system files. It can be accessed directly from within Windows if the system is capable of starting, even in Safe Mode.
Accessing the Utility
Should Windows fail to start normally, the utility remains accessible through the Command Prompt available when booting from your installation media in repair mode.
To initiate the utility within a functioning Windows environment, you must first open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges. This can be achieved by right-clicking the Start menu or pressing Windows+X on your keyboard.
Then, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the Administrative Tools menu, or utilize the corresponding keyboard shortcut.
Using the SFC Command
Once the Command Prompt is open with administrative rights, you can execute the utility using the following syntax:
SFC [/SCANNOW] [/VERIFYONLY] [/SCANFILE=<file>] [/VERIFYFILE=<file>] [/OFFWINDIR=<offline windows directory> /OFFBOOTDIR=<offline boot directory>]
The most frequently used option is to perform a comprehensive scan of the entire system, which will identify and attempt to repair any files that are corrupted or have been modified. This is accomplished with the following command:
sfc /scannow
Alternatively, the command sfc /verifyonly can be employed to scan for potential issues without initiating any repair actions.
Scanning Specific Files
It is also possible to scan or verify a specific file by utilizing the /scanfile=<file> or /verifyfile=<file> options, along with the complete file path. For example:
sfc /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll
Additional Information
While this utility has been available in previous versions of Windows, the available options may differ slightly. To view all supported options for your specific Windows version, use the command sfc /?.
The tool was originally known as System File Checker, which explains why Windows Resource Protection utilizes the command SFC.