How to deal with a damaged operating system

Updated by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 18, 2024

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Dealing with a broken operating system? Let's explore some repair options.

A corrupted operating system can lead to a multitude of issues, ranging from failed operations to unopenable applications. When an OS fails to function correctly, all secondary and primary operations come to a standstill. The cause of this problem can be hardware-related or an issue with system files.

But today, we're going to look at a few ways to fix a broken OS. So, if you have similar issues, read on, and you might find a solution to fix your bricked operating system.

Introduction: What is a Corrupted Operating System?

Many users have encountered issues with a corrupted operating system. This can hinder productivity, gaming experiences, or even just watching YouTube videos. Thus, we will explore several solutions, such as:

• Repair operating system files
• Check for hardware issues
• Reinstall Windows

In them, we will explore how to address both virtual and physical problems – that is, those that relate to hardware.

What happens if the operating system becomes corrupted?

When an operating system is compromised, applications can malfunction, computers can crash, and performance may become sluggish. Basic functions of a PC may cease to work as they should, and some common signs of a damaged OS include:

• Issues with Windows Explorer loading
• Unable to start applications
• Application crashes
• Sudden blue screen appearances (Blue Screen of Death)
• Applications stopping working due to unexpected errors

These are common signs of a corrupted operating system. While most issues are caused by problems with Windows, it can sometimes be the result of overheating hardware, dust buildup inside the computer case, or a failing component.

How do I fix corrupted operating system issues on Windows 10?

Repairing a corrupted operating system is not as straightforward as it sounds, as this article explains. The problem can be caused by any number of factors. Sometimes, even a faulty USB stick inserted into a computer can trigger a crash.

Forcibly shutting down the computer can also damage important files, leading to decreased performance. The aim is to fix these problems without having to reinstall Windows. However, there may be cases when you have no choice but to reinstall a corrupted operating system.

Before we begin, make sure you've done the following:

• Backup all necessary data.
• Move the contents of your Documents and Downloads folders to another partition.
• Ensure Windows Defender is running and up to date.
• Confirm that there are no pending Windows updates (a common cause of file corruption).
• Check the integrity of your hardware, particularly your RAM.

If you've tried everything, try one of these three ways to fix your operating system.

Method 1: Freeing Your Computer from Malware

Malware can cause your computer to run slowly or even crash. As such, it's important to remove any malicious software before repairing Windows 10 system files. If you're unsure about how to remove a virus or malware, don't worry – TotalAV is a reputable antivirus that you can trust:

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So, Microsoft suggests that you do this:

Step one: Install an anti-malware app.

Step 2: Update the Microsoft Windows Defender database.

Step 3: Scan your computer (preferably with a full scan).

If it doesn't find any malware, try the next method.

Method 2: Repair Windows 10 System Files in Several Steps

The second method is to fix Windows 10 system files using a few built-in tools. So, first of all, you need to boot your PC into Safe Mode. Here's how:

Step 1: Press Windows + R.

Step 2: Type MSConfig.

Step 3: Click on the Start tab.

Step 4: Explore the Boot Options.

5. Select **Secure Boot** to unlock the options.

Step 6: Check your network.

Step 7: Apply and click OK.

Step 8: Restart your computer.

Once you've booted into Safe Mode, you'll want to check your hard drive for errors. How do you do that?

Step 1: Press Windows + R.

Step 2: Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 3: Type chkdsk /f /r /x.

Step 4: Press Y when prompted.

Step 5: Restart your computer.

After the restart, your computer will check for hard disk errors. If prompted, do not press any key to skip the disk check.

Once the disk check is complete, any disk-related issues will be fixed. However, before we proceed with repairing corrupted system files, there are a few more steps to take. Next, you need to run an SFC scan. How? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Run the Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt.

Step 3: Have it verify the file.

If your computer doesn't find any violations and all necessary files are unharmed, but the problem persists, you can try another method. This one will help you fix any critical Windows file issues, so make sure you're still in Safe Mode with an Internet connection.

Step 1: Run CMD as an administrator.

Step 2: Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.

Third, let the process run its course.

This should resolve issues related to the operating system. Since this method requires downloading additional files in Safe Mode, you will need an Internet connection. Upon restarting your computer in normal mode, you should notice an improvement in performance.

Method 3: Repairing a Corrupted Operating System

You can try repairing your Windows operating system, as a corrupted OS is another common reason behind Windows malfunctioning. This can lead to a multitude of issues, including driver crashes.

Thus, you might want to try a viable approach to fix corrupted system files, that is,

Step 1: Download the Windows installation media creation tool or navigate to the folder.

< strong > Step 2 : Run < strong > Setup.exe .

Step 3: On the setup screen, click Repair your computer.

Step 4: When prompted, click Keep my files.

This will reinstall the operating system files while leaving all of your files intact. This will repair any damaged, deleted, or infected Windows files and should fix the problem completely.

Method 4: Clean the Dust from Your Computer

Dusty computers and equipment can also suffer from this, so you'll need an air duster or compressor to blow the dust out of your computer.

Since dust can cause hardware to overheat and lead to poor contact, it can also contribute to operating system crashes. As such, make sure you clean your RAM, GPU, SSD, hard drives, and so on.

In addition to this, you can replace the thermal compound on your CPU, add extra cooling fans, and position your computer in a location that allows for good airflow, rather than under a desk or in another cramped space.

This will give your computer the boost it needs, not only to fix the problem, but to run faster overall.

Final Award

And that's it, folks. How to fix a corrupted system file. While the problem might be with your operating system, too much dust or a hardware failure could also be to blame. So follow these steps, and you'll be good to go.