How to Repair Missing or Corrupted System Files in Windows

System files are essential components of the Windows operating system that enable it to function properly. However, these files can become corrupted or missing due to various reasons, such as malware infections, hardware failures, or improper system shutdowns. When this happens, it can lead to system crashes, errors, or performance issues. Fortunately, Windows provides built-in tools to help you repair missing or corrupted system files and restore your system to a healthy state.

Using the System File Checker (SFC)

One of the most effective ways to repair missing or corrupted system files is by using the System File Checker (SFC) tool. SFC is a command-line utility that scans and verifies the integrity of all protected system files and attempts to fix any issues it finds.

To use SFC, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator”.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. The SFC scan will begin, and it may take some time depending on the size and condition of your system files.
4. Once the scan is complete, SFC will provide feedback on the results, including details about any repaired files.

If SFC finds any issues and attempts to fix them, it will use backup copies of the original system files stored in the Windows component store (WinSxS folder) or installation media.

Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool

If SFC is unable to fix some files, you may need to run another tool called DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). DISM is a tool that can repair the Windows image used to restore or update your system files.

To use DISM, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
3. The DISM command may take some time to complete, depending on the size and condition of your Windows image.

After running DISM, it’s recommended to run SFC again to verify and repair any remaining system files.

Restoring the System

If the above methods fail to resolve the issue, you can try restoring your system to a previous restore point. System Restore is a feature in Windows that allows you to revert your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting your personal files, such as documents, emails, or photos.

To use System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and type “system restore” in the search bar. Click on “Create a restore point” to proceed.
2. In the System Properties window, click on “System Restore”.
3. In the Restore system files and settings wizard, click on “Next”.
4. Check the “Show more restore points” box to reveal more restore points to choose from.
5. Select the restore point you wish to revert to based on the date, time, and type of the state.
6. Click “Next” to proceed with the restore session, and then click “Finish” to initiate the System Restore process.

Keep in mind that using System Restore will revert your system files and settings to a previous state, which may affect some of your installed programs.

In conclusion, repairing missing or corrupted system files in Windows is crucial for maintaining the stability and reliability of your operating system. By using the built-in tools provided by Windows, such as SFC, DISM, and System Restore, you can diagnose and fix issues related to system crashes, startup problems, application errors, and other performance issues caused by corrupted system files.