Checking System Files in Windows

Over time, you may encounter various issues with the operating system's system files. These files can become corrupted for numerous reasons, including program errors, virus attacks, or hardware problems. In such cases, it's essential to quickly identify and fix potential issues to prevent further system malfunctions. In this article, we’ll explore how to check and repair Windows system files using built-in tools.

Step 1: Running the SFC (System File Checker) Command

One of the most effective ways to check and repair system files in Windows is by using the SFC (System File Checker) utility. This tool scans system files for corruption and automatically repairs any issues it finds.

To run SFC, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start button and type cmd (Command Prompt) in the search bar.
  2. Right-click on the found result and select Run as Administrator.
  3. In the opened Command Prompt window, type the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter.

The utility will begin scanning the system files. This process may take some time depending on your computer’s performance and the amount of data. Once the scan is complete, the results will show up, and if any issues are found, the system will attempt to fix them automatically.

Step 2: Using DISM for System Component Repair

If the SFC tool couldn’t resolve all the problems, you can use the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) utility. DISM performs a deeper check and repairs system components that might be corrupted.

To use DISM, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges as described in the previous step.
  2. Type the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.

This process can take some time, as the utility checks and repairs the system image. Once completed, DISM will attempt to fix any issues that the SFC tool couldn’t address.

Step 3: Restart and Recheck

After completing both steps, it’s recommended to restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect. If the issues persist after rebooting, you may need to resort to more advanced recovery methods, such as restoring the system from a restore point or reinstalling Windows.