How to Fix Corrupted Windows System Files with SFC and DISM

If you’re experiencing issues with your Windows operating system, such as crashes, application failures, or missing features, it could be due to corrupted system files. Fortunately, Windows provides two built-in tools to help you repair these issues: the System File Checker (SFC) and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

Using the System File Checker (SFC) Tool

The System File Checker (SFC) tool is a command-line utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files. Here’s how to use it:

Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window. To do this, right-click the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “PowerShell (Admin)”.
Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
Wait until the scan is 100% complete, making sure not to close the Command Prompt window before then. The results of the scan will depend on whether or not the SFC finds any corrupted files.
If no integrity violations are found, you’ll see the message “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.”
If corrupted files are found but unable to be fixed, you’ll see a message like “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.”
If the SFC command fails to run properly or cannot repair the files, you can try running the DISM tool next.

Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool

The DISM tool is used to service and prepare Windows images. It can also be used to repair corrupted system files. Here’s how to use it:

Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
Type the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait for the command to complete, which may take some time. The DISM tool will use Windows Update to download the required files to repair corrupted system files.
If the Windows Update service is broken, you can specify a source for the repair files using the /Source option, such as a Windows installation disc or network share.
Once the command completes, restart your computer and run the SFC tool again to verify that the corrupted files have been repaired.

If you’re still experiencing issues after running both the SFC and DISM tools, there are a few other options to consider:

System Restore: Restore your Windows system files, settings, and applications to an earlier state using the System Restore tool.
System Reset: On Windows 8, 10, and 11, you can perform a “Reset this PC” operation to reset Windows to its default state, either keeping your personal files or removing everything.
Reinstall Windows: As a last resort, you may need to reinstall Windows from scratch using your computer’s manufacturer-provided recovery partition or installation media.

In conclusion, using the SFC and DISM tools can help you repair corrupted Windows system files and resolve many common issues. However, if these tools fail to fix the problem, you may need to consider more drastic measures like System Restore, System Reset, or a complete Windows reinstallation.