File corruption can be a frustrating and unexpected issue, affecting various file types, from documents to media files. Whether it’s due to a virus, hardware failure, or system crashes, corrupted files can prevent you from accessing important data. Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several built-in tools and third-party solutions to help you repair and recover corrupted files. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore seven effective methods to fix corrupted files in Windows 10.
Method 1: Use the System File Checker (SFC) Tool
The System File Checker (SFC) is a powerful built-in tool in Windows 10 that can scan and repair corrupted system files. To use the SFC tool, follow these steps:
Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will initiate the SFC scan, which may take several minutes to complete.
If the SFC tool finds any corrupted files, it will attempt to replace them with the correct versions from the Windows resource protection store.
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Method 2: Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool
If the SFC tool is unable to fix the corrupted files, you can try using the DISM tool, which is another built-in Windows utility. The DISM tool can help repair component-based servicing issues that may be preventing the SFC tool from working correctly. Here’s how to use it:
Open an elevated Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter. This command will scan and repair any corrupted system files.
The DISM scan may take several minutes to complete, so be patient.
Method 3: Run an SFC Scan from Safe Mode
If the SFC tool is unable to fix the corrupted files in the normal Windows environment, you can try running the scan from Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can sometimes help resolve issues with corrupted files. Here’s how to do it:
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode. You can do this by pressing the F8 key during the boot process (on older versions of Windows) or by holding the Shift key while clicking the “Restart” option in the Start menu (on Windows 10).
Once in Safe Mode, open an elevated Command Prompt and run the “sfc /scannow” command.
The SFC scan should now be able to detect and repair any corrupted files.
Method 4: Perform an SFC Scan Before Windows 10 Starts
If the corrupted files are preventing Windows 10 from starting up properly, you can try running the SFC scan before the operating system loads. This can be done by booting into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and then running the SFC command. Here’s how:
Restart your computer and enter the WinRE. You can do this by pressing the F11 key during the boot process (on older versions of Windows) or by holding the Shift key while clicking the “Restart” option in the Start menu (on Windows 10).
In the WinRE, select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”
In the Command Prompt, run the “sfc /scannow” command to scan and repair any corrupted files.
Method 5: Replace the Files Manually
If the SFC and DISM tools are unable to fix the corrupted files, you can try replacing them manually. This involves locating the corrupted file, taking ownership of it, and then replacing it with a known good copy. Here’s how to do it:
Identify the corrupted file by checking the Windows event logs or the CBS.log file located in the %WinDir%\Logs\CBS directory.
Open an elevated Command Prompt and use the “takeown” and “icacls” commands to take ownership of the corrupted file and grant administrators full access to it.
Copy a known good version of the file from another computer or from the Windows installation media and replace the corrupted file.
Method 6: Use System Restore
If the previous methods have failed to fix the corrupted files, you can try using the System Restore feature in Windows 10. System Restore allows you to revert your system to a previous state, which may resolve the file corruption issue. Here’s how to use it:
Open the Start menu and search for “System Restore.”
Click on “Create a restore point” and then click on the “System Restore” button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and initiate the restoration process.
Method 7: Reset Your Windows 10
As a last resort, you can try resetting your Windows 10 operating system. This will remove all installed applications and settings, but it will keep your personal files intact. Here’s how to do it:
Open the Start menu and search for “Settings.”
Click on “Update & Security” and then select “Recovery” from the left-hand menu.
Click on the “Get started” button under the “Reset this PC” option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to either “Keep my files” or “Remove everything,” depending on your preference.