How to Check System File Integrity in Windows 10

Windows 10 includes built-in tools to check and repair system files if they become corrupted or missing. This process can resolve various issues like system instability, boot errors, and other unexpected malfunctions. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to verify system file integrity using built-in commands.

Why Check System Files?

Windows system files can become corrupted due to various reasons, such as virus attacks, update installation errors, sudden power outages, or hardware failures. Checking and repairing these files can help restore system functionality and prevent future problems.

Methods for Checking and Repairing System Files in Windows 10

1. Using the SFC (System File Checker) Command

System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. To initiate a scan, follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click "Command Prompt," and select Run as administrator.
Enter the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scanning process to complete, which may take some time depending on your system speed.

Once the scan is finished, SFC will automatically attempt to repair any detected issues. The scan results will display in the Command Prompt.

2. Using the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) Command

If SFC couldn’t fix all issues, you can use the DISM tool for a more in-depth check and repair of system files.

Open Command Prompt with administrator rights.
Enter the command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Allow time for DISM to complete the scan and repair process, as this may take a while.

After running DISM, it’s recommended to run sfc /scannow again to verify and resolve any remaining issues.