How to Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan
How This Command Scans Your PC
The System File Checker (SFC) is a tool by Windows that scans all protected system files. Here’s what it checks:
Libraries (.dll files)Executables (.exe files)System SettingsOther Critical Components
When a corrupted file is found, the SFC tool tries to replace it with a clean version. Older Windows Versions: For versions like Windows XP, replacement files were stored in: In newer Windows versions, SFC uses the Windows Component Store located at: This store has all needed files to replace and repair corrupted system files. After the scan, results will be displayed in the Command Prompt window. Possible outcomes are:
No integrity violations found: All system files are intact.Corrupted files found and repaired: Some files were corrupted but have been replaced.Corrupted files found but could not be repaired: SFC will log details of the files it couldn’t repair. Check the CBS log file located at
To view the details, follow these steps:
Additional Troubleshooting
If the SFC scan does not fix the issue, consider using SFCFix, a third-party tool that reads from the CBS.LOG file to repair corruptions. This utility simplifies fixing various corruption issues that the SFC command might not handle.
