⚠️
Before you start: Run all commands in an elevated Command Prompt (right-click Start → Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)). Some commands require a reboot to complete.
01
SFC — System File Checker
Built-in Windows utility that scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted or missing ones from a cached copy. Run this first.
sfc /scannow
02
DISM — Deployment Image Servicing
If SFC fails or reports it cannot repair files, run DISM first to repair the Windows component store, then run SFC again.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
# Then run SFC again:
sfc /scannow
03
CHKDSK — Check Disk
Scans the disk for bad sectors, lost clusters, and file system errors. Use when you encounter disk errors, random crashes, or freezes. The
/f flag fixes errors, /r locates bad sectors.chkdsk C: /f /r
# Note: if C: is in use, Windows will schedule it for next boot.
# Type Y when prompted, then restart.
04
Reset Windows Update Services
Fixes Windows Update failures by stopping services, clearing the corrupted download cache, and restarting. Run each command in sequence.
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
del %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\*.* /s /q
net start wuauserv
net start bits
05
Full Recommended Repair Sequence
For a thorough repair, run these in order. Allow each to complete before running the next. Restart after CHKDSK.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /f /r
💡
When to use each: Start with SFC for general Windows instability. Use DISM when SFC fails. Use CHKDSK when you suspect drive issues (clicking sounds, S.M.A.R.T. warnings, or random read errors). Use the Windows Update reset when updates are stuck or failing with error codes.