How to Repair Corrupted Windows 10 System Files in 4 Steps

If your Windows 10 system is experiencing performance issues, crashes, or other problems, it may be due to corrupted system files. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to repair these files and restore your computer to a stable state. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to fix corrupted Windows 10 system files.

Step 1: Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

The System File Checker is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run an SFC scan, follow these steps:

Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for “cmd” in the Start Menu, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
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Wait for the scan to complete. If any corrupted files are found, SFC will attempt to repair them automatically.
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If the SFC scan doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool

DISM is another built-in Windows tool that can help repair corrupted system files. Here’s how to use it:

Open an elevated Command Prompt as in Step 1.
In the Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Wait for the repair process to complete. This may take several minutes.

If DISM finds any corrupted files, it will download the necessary files from Windows Update to repair them. If the issue persists, move on to the next step.

Step 3: Perform a System Restore

If you have previously created a system restore point, you can use it to revert your system to a previous state before the corruption occurred. Here’s how:

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start Menu and open it.
In the System Properties window, click the “System Restore” button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the process.

Keep in mind that a system restore will revert your system files and settings to a previous state, but it won’t affect your personal files.

Step 4: Reset Your PC

If none of the previous steps resolve the issue, you can reset your PC to its default settings. This will remove all installed applications and settings, but keep your personal files. Here’s how:

Open the Settings app and go to “Update & Security” > “Recovery.”
Under “Reset this PC,” click the “Get started” button.
Choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

After resetting your PC, you’ll need to reinstall any necessary applications and restore your settings.

In conclusion, repairing corrupted Windows 10 system files can be a straightforward process using the built-in tools and methods outlined in this article. If you encounter any issues or have additional questions, don’t hesitate to seek further assistance from Microsoft Support or other reliable sources.