How to Stop Windows 10 from Automatically Scanning and Repairing Drives

If you’ve ever encountered the dreaded “Scanning and Repairing Drive” message in Windows 10, you know how frustrating it can be. This process can take a long time, and it’s often triggered by an unexpected shutdown or power failure. However, there are ways to prevent Windows from automatically scanning and repairing your drives. In this article, we’ll explore several methods to stop Windows from scanning and repairing drives, so you can get back to using your computer without interruption.

Disable Automatic Drive Scanning Using Command Prompt

One of the easiest ways to prevent Windows from automatically scanning and repairing drives is by using the Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Start menu, type “Command Prompt” in the search bar, right-click on it, and select “Run as administrator”.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, replacing “C:” with the drive letter of the drive you want to exclude from automatic scanning: fsutil dirty set C:
3. Press Enter, and the command will mark the specified drive as “dirty”, preventing Windows from automatically scanning it.

To re-enable automatic scanning for the drive, you can use the following command in Command Prompt:

1. Type fsutil dirty query C: to check the drive’s status.
2. If the drive is marked as “dirty”, type fsutil dirty clear C: to clear the “dirty” flag and re-enable automatic scanning.

Use the Windows Error Checking Tool

Another method to stop Windows from automatically scanning and repairing drives is by using the built-in Windows Error Checking tool. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to “This PC”.
2. Right-click on the drive you want to scan and select “Properties”.
3. Go to the “Tools” tab and click on “Check” under “Error checking”.
4. If errors are found, Windows will prompt you to repair the drive. Click “Repair” to fix any issues.
5. If no errors are found, you can still scan the drive by clicking “Scan drive” in the error checking window.

After running the error checking tool, restart your PC to see if the “Scanning and Repairing Drive” message is gone.

Enter Safe Mode and Run CHKDSK

If you can’t boot into Windows normally due to the “Scanning and Repairing Drive” issue, you can try entering Safe Mode and running the CHKDSK command. Here’s how to do it:

1. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to shut down your computer.
2. Press the power button to start your computer, and once you see the manufacturer’s logo, hold down the power button for another 10 seconds to turn off the device.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you see the “Choose an option” screen.
4. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart”.
5. Once your computer restarts, select “Enable Safe Mode with Networking” by pressing the corresponding number key.
6. Open File Explorer, right-click on the drive you want to scan, and select “Properties”.
7. Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under “Error checking” to run CHKDSK.

This method will scan your drive for errors and attempt to fix any issues found.

Avoid Forced Shutdowns and Power Failures

The best way to prevent the “Scanning and Repairing Drive” issue is by avoiding forced shutdowns and power failures. If your computer shuts down unexpectedly, it can lead to data loss and potential hard drive damage. To avoid this:

• Save your work regularly and close all applications before shutting down your computer.
• Use a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your computer from power outages.
• Avoid unplugging your computer or pressing the power button during startup or shutdown processes.

By following these best practices, you can minimize the chances of encountering the “Scanning and Repairing Drive” issue in the future.

In conclusion, there are several ways to stop Windows 10 from automatically scanning and repairing drives. You can use the Command Prompt to disable automatic scanning, use the Windows Error Checking tool to manually scan and repair drives, or enter Safe Mode and run CHKDSK. Additionally, avoiding forced shutdowns and power failures can help prevent this issue from occurring in the first place. By following these methods, you can save time and ensure your computer boots up smoothly without interruption.