How to Scan Windows 10 for Errors

This wikiHow will teach you how to scan Windows 10 for errors using the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Before you can use SFC, you need to make sure you have an updated version of Windows.

Steps

  1. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 1
    1
    Press ⊞ Win. You'll see this key with the Windows logo on your keyboard near Alt and Ctrl. You can also use the mouse to click the Windows logo and open the Start menu that way.
  2. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 2
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    Type "Command Prompt". As you type, you'll see search results display above the Start Menu.
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  3. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 3
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    Right-click the "Command Prompt - App" result. It lists under the "Best match" header and a menu will pop up.
  4. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 4
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    Click Run as administrator. A Command Prompt window will open. If you're prompted to allow the app to make changes, click Yes.
  5. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 5
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    Type "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" and press Enter. There is a space before each "/" and make sure you type the command exactly as shown so DISM.exe will run.
    • It will take a minute or two to start up and about 30 minutes to finish.
    • When it's done, you'll see "The operation has completed successfully."
  6. Image titled Scan Windows 10 for Errors Step 6
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    Enter "sfc /scannow" and press Enter. The DSIM.exe should fix whatever corrupt files or damaged files it finds, and the SFC scan will make sure there are no damaged or corrupt files left.[1]
    • If you see "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them," you may want to enter "sfc /scannow" again until you see "Windows did not find any integrity violations."[2]
    • Type "Exit" and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca
  2. ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/system-file-check-sfc-scan-and-repair-system-files/bc609315-da1f-4775-812c-695b60477a93

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 36,117 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 4, 2021
Views: 36,117
Categories: Windows 10
Article SummaryX

1. Press the Windows key.
2. Type "Command Prompt".
3. Right-click the "Command Prompt - App" result.
4. Click Run as administrator.
5. Type "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" and press Enter.
6. Enter "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.

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