1. SFC (System File Checker): System File Checker SFC is an integrated command-line tool that scans and repairs system files in the Windows operating system. If system files are corrupted or missing, SFC can detect and restore these critical files, ensuring the stability and security of the system. 2. CHKDSK (Check Disk): Disk Check CHKDSK is a tool used to check and fix hard disk errors. It can detect bad sectors on the disk, repair file system errors, and recover lost file links. It is typically used when there are issues with the disk or when the system is running abnormally. 3. DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management): Deployment Image Servicing and Management DISM is a tool for maintaining and configuring Windows images. It can be used to prepare, optimize, validate, and repair Windows images, including updating drivers, installing features, and fixing issues with system images. DISM is commonly employed in system preparation and servicing images, especially when applying updates or preparing for system deployment. These three tools play crucial roles in Windows 11, helping users maintain the health and performance of their systems.

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

1. What is SFC/Scannow and how do I use it? 2. What is CHKDSK and how do I use it? 3. What is DISM and how do I run DISM commands? 4. What are the differences between SFC, CHKDSK, and DISM? 5. Additional Tip: Fix disk errors with a free disk manager

Introduction

When your computer starts giving you error messages, runs slower than usual, or behaves abnormally, you can use built-in diagnostic tools in Windows 10 to try and pinpoint the problem. CHKDSK, SFC, and DISM are programs that check the health of your hard drive and fix corrupted data, but they work in slightly different ways and target different areas of your system.

System utilities like DISM, SFC, and CHKDSK are at your disposal, and you can use any or all of them. However, in your case, this might be both time-consuming and futile. This article delves into the main differences between to ensure you know which one to use (and how!) when the need arises.

#1 What is SFC Scannow, and how do I use it? SFC (System File Checker) Scannow is a command-line utility built into the Windows operating system that checks and fixes the integrity of system files. SFC Scannow is a specific mode of the SFC tool that performs a comprehensive scan to identify and repair damaged or missing system files. Here's how to use SFC Scannow: 1. Press `Win + X` to open the menu, then select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)" to run with admin rights. 2. In the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, type this command and hit Enter: ``` sfc /scannow ``` 3. The system will start scanning, which might take a while. Don't close the window or interrupt the process. 4. Once the scan finishes, the results will be displayed. If any issues were found and fixed, you'll see "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them." (Windows 资源保护发现损坏的文件并已成功修复它们。) 5. If no issues are detected, it might say "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations." (Windows资源保护未发现任何完整性违规。) Remember, SFC Scannow needs admin privileges to run, and sometimes a restart might be necessary to complete the repairs. If SFC Scannow doesn't solve the problem, try using the DISM tool (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) for a more extensive fix.

The Command Prompt utility that calls the System File Checker (SFC) tool, referred to as the sfc command, has several unique switch options, one of which is sfc /scannow.

The most common way to do this is by using the “sfc /scannow” command. However, there are many other options available.

A Windows DLL file will be checked by sfc /scannow along with all other important Windows files on the computer. If System File Checker detects any issues, the files will be replaced.

Run SFC to fix system files

When you start having issues with booting up your laptop, unexpected errors occur, or features aren't working as they should, some system files in Windows 10 are likely damaged or missing.

Windows 10 includes a command-line utility called the System File Checker (SFC), designed to scan for integrity violations in system files and restore missing or corrupted system files with healthy versions.

To fix corrupted or damaged Windows system files, use the SFC command.

Step 1: Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the command sfc /scannow, and then press Enter.

Notice: A comma should be used after 'sfc'.

Step 3: Allow Windows 10 to run the scan and fix any system file errors that it finds.

Note: A full system scan might take 10 to 20 minutes. When the SFC scan is finished, one of the following results is displayed:

• No integrity violations were found (which is good).
• Windows Resource Protection found and fixed any corrupted files that it encountered.
• Windows Resource Protection detected some (or all) corrupted files but was unable to fix them (which is not good).

Further reading: SFC SCANNOW Stuck

What is CHKDSK and how do you use it?

CHKDSK is a command that can be executed in the Command Prompt to check the logical integrity of a file system. The full form of CHKDSK is "check disk," which indicates its purpose – to scan for and fix disk errors. The CHKDSK utility is available in all versions of Windows, including Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and even in DOS.

Furthermore, you can run this utility directly from a Windows installation DVD. CHKDSK creates and displays the status of a disk by using a specific partition file system. If you enter CHKDSK with no parameters, you will see the disk status of the current drive.

The most common way to run Check Disk is through an elevated Command Prompt. There are a few different Check Disk commands you can use to check and repair errors on a specific partition. You'll need to run Command Prompt as an administrator to use the Check Disk command.

Step 1: Press Windows + R at the same time, type in cmd, and then hit Enter. This will open the Command Prompt, where you can use command-line utilities to check your disk.

Note If you're not sure how to use it, type chkdsk /? and press Enter to see its options or switches.

Important: If you can't start your computer, you can check the disk from the Command Prompt. To do so, boot the operating system into Recovery Mode, or from the original installation disc.

Step 2: To check the integrity of drive E:, use the command "chkdsk e:" at the prompt. Use "chkdsk e: /f" if you want to fix any errors that it finds on the E: disk.

Step 3: Chkdsk cannot fix a volume that is currently in use. If the volume is in use, a dialog box asks whether you want to schedule the check for the next time you start Windows. Click Yes.

#3 What is DISM, and how do you run DISM commands? DISM, short for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, is a crucial command-line tool in the Windows operating system. It is primarily used for maintaining and repairing Windows system images, including Windows installation media, Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and the online operating system. DISM can be employed to install, uninstall, configure, and update features and drivers from the Windows Component Store, as well as to check the integrity of an image. To run DISM commands, you need to open the Command Prompt (run it with administrator privileges). Here are some basic DISM command examples: 1. Check the health of the image: ```cmd DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth ``` 2. Repair the system image: ```cmd DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ``` 3. View all available features: ```cmd DISM /Online /Get-Features ``` 4. Install a specific feature: ```cmd DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NameOfTheFeature ``` 5. Disable a specific feature: ```cmd DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:NameOfTheFeature ``` Replace `NameOfTheFeature` with the actual name of the feature you want to install or disable. When using DISM, exercise caution, as incorrect commands can lead to system issues. Make sure you understand the purpose of each command before executing them.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is defined by Microsoft as a command-line tool that unifies various Windows platform technologies into a single, cohesive tool for servicing Windows images.

When System File Checker (SFC) fails to fix issues on your computer, you typically use the DISM tool. The DISM utility can repair corruption in the Component Store, which is known to prevent SFC scans from running properly on your machine.

Note: If the SFC is malfunctioning or not working properly due to any reason, you can use DISM to recover it. To enable DISM, you just need to follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on "Command Prompt" and selecting Run as administrator.

Important: Type the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 2: Press the Enter key to run the command.

Step three: The scan can take five to ten minutes, sometimes longer.

Step 4: Restart your computer after the scan is complete.

TIP: If the progress bar seems to stop at 20%, don't worry; this is normal. Wait patiently.

What's the difference between SFC, CHKDSK, and DISM?

While SFC scans your system files, CHKDSK checks your hard drive, and DISM scans and repairs corrupted files in the Windows System Image Component Store, enabling SFC to function properly. Before running DISM, it's best to back up your disk partitions in case any issues arise during the process.

To run DISM, you'll need to open Command Prompt as an administrator, just like with CHKDSK and SFC. You can check the image for damage without modifying it first, which can save time and prevent unnecessary repairs.

Conclusions

Now that you know what CHKDSK, SFC, and DISM do, try running one or all of these Windows troubleshooting tools to see if they can fix your computer.

If you're still having issues, you can try performing a system restore, which will revert your system files, settings, and apps to a previous working state.

Extra Tip: Fix Disk Errors with a Free Disk Manager

Last but not least, tools Partition Manager Free has always been a top choice for anyone looking for a complex yet easy-to-use disk management application, and it's completely free of charge.

A familiar-looking interface, with disk mapping, a comprehensive user manual, and plenty of help resources, gets you started. The Check File System tool helps Partition Master address disk problems.

Step 1: Right-click on the problematic partition.

Step 2: Select Advanced > Check File System.

Step 3: Confirm whether you want to hide the partition.

Step 4: In the “Check File System” window, select the option to “Attempt repair if errors are found.”

Click “Start” to begin checking your partition for errors.

Partition Master Free can format, copy, resize, move, and manage disk partitions just like its paid version. In addition, it supports external drives and hardware RAID. Here are some of its main features:

- Perform a hard drive health check. - Format or delete a hard drive, SSD, USB flash drive, memory card, or SD card to make it usable again. - Merge small partitions into one larger one to alleviate space limitations. - Wipe all content on the hard drive to securely save all your private and sensitive data.