HOW TO REPAIR CORRUPTED SYSTEM FILES

SAFEBYTES SOFTWARE

You can repair corrupted system files using the DISM (Deployment Image & Servicing Management) and SFC (System File Checker) commands. First of all SFC is an in-built tool that can be used on Windows programs in order to scan system files for any changes, some of which may be due to file corruption. For example if a file has been modified, it automatically replaces the existing one which is mostly likely to be the correct one.

Failing SFM, you can opt for the DISM which works on Windows 8-10. However on Windows 7 and earlier versions you will not be able to find DISM. Instead you can use the “System Update Readiness Tool” (SURT). This is a downloadable program that is relatively easy to use once you diligently follow the prompts.

Scenarios for using DISM and SFC

In the first instance, they are very useful for troubleshooting a bug within the system. The quickest way to identify the problem will be when you are confronted with a blue screen. You will also notice that your applications are crashing or that the features on Windows that you would normally rely on for functionality are not delivering. SFC is usually very effective at fixing simple but hidden problems. In any case, once you have run SFC you can at the very least be sure that there are no corrupted files so that you can continue with the rest of your troubleshooting exercise.

Normally there is no need to run DISM unless the problem is really serious and beyond the capabilities of SFC. For example you may have a corrupted file that you seem unable to replace. This is where DISM can fix the underlying problems and give you the leeway to run SFC again.

Procedure for running SFC

Make sure you are logged in as an administrator. Go to the command prompt window. This is done by right clicking on the Start Button (in Windows 8.1 and 10). Select the option for an Admin Command Prompt. Remember that all other versions of Windows allow you to get to the command prompt by right clicking on the start menu and selecting the option to run as an administrator.

Type this string into the search box: “sfc /scannow”. Press enter and allow the command to run. Do not close the command prompt window until the process has finished. The appearance of this message confirms that there is no issue: “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.”

Procedure for running DISM

Note DISM is available on Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Follow the same procedure as described above to get to the administrator command prompts. However in this case you should type in the string “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth”. Do not close even if it sticks at 20% because that is normal. Restart the computer and then go back to SFC if DISM has made any changes. If you have an earlier version of Windows then you should use SURT, following all the prompts which are pretty straightforward.