Information: Encountering corrupt personal files or folders with important data can be frustrating, as can issues with corrupt operating system files that may cause performance issues or system failure. To address this, you can use built-in Windows tools or third-party tools to restore system functionality.
Information: DISM is a command-line tool for managing and modifying Windows images, facilitating tasks like deployment, customization, updates, and repairs for system administrators.
1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt."
2. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the "Command Prompt" app and choose "Run as administrator." This step is crucial as administrative privileges are required to execute the DISM command.
3. Type the command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Wait for the process to complete: DISM will start scanning your system for issues and repairing any corrupted files. The process may take some time, so be patient and avoid interrupting it.
Information: The System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files to maintain the stability and functionality of the operating system.
1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt."
2. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the "Command Prompt" app and choose "Run as administrator." This step is essential as administrative privileges are required to execute the SFC command.
4. Type the command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: SFC /scannow
5. Wait for the process to complete: The SFC command will start scanning the specified directories for corrupted or missing system files. The process may take some time, so be patient and avoid interrupting it.
Upon completion of the SFC scan, you will encounter one of four potential results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations: This result indicates that your system files are clean, and no corrupt files were found during the scan. If you're still experiencing issues with a specific file causing system errors, there may be another underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation: If you receive this message, it means that the SFC scan was unable to complete. To resolve this, Microsoft recommends running the SFC scan in Safe Mode. Before doing so, open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type "%WinDir%\WinSxS\Temp," ensuring that the "PendingDeletes" and "PendingRenames" folders are intact in the Windows Temp folder.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them: When the SFC scan detects and automatically repairs corrupt files, no further action is required on your part. The necessary fixes have been applied, ensuring the integrity of your system files.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them: When faced with this situation, it is recommended to perform an in-place upgrade. Option two is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Information: CHKDSK scan is a Windows utility that checks and repairs file system errors and disk-related issues to enhance drive integrity and performance.
1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt."
2. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the "Command Prompt" app and choose "Run as administrator." This step is important as administrative privileges are required to execute the CHKDSK command.
3. Type the command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: CHKDSK C: /F
Replace "C:" with the drive letter you want to scan. If you want to scan the system drive, which is usually the C: drive, you can simply type "CHKDSK C: /F".
7. Wait for the scan to complete: CHKDSK will start scanning the drive for errors, bad sectors, and file system inconsistencies. The scanning process may take some time, depending on the size and condition of the drive.
Information: If the earlier tools didn't detect any errors or corruption, you can try two third-party tools that may resolve specific issues you're encountering.
The Reset Windows Update Tool, or wureset, is a tool that fixes issues with Windows. It resets update components, deletes temporary files, changes registry values, repairs system files and the system image, and cleans up old components.
Windows Repair Toolbox is a free, portable program that streamlines the process of diagnosing and repairing Windows systems by providing access to a variety of tools and features, including malware removal, system information display, and easy access to common repair commands.
Important: Prior to considering an in-place upgrade, it is advisable to attempt the option one.
Information: An in-place upgrade using an ISO on Windows is a method of reinstalling or upgrading the operating system directly from an ISO file while preserving files, applications, and settings. It fixes errors, corruption, and compatibility issues by reinstalling Windows files, resetting configurations, and replacing problematic files. This approach is useful for troubleshooting software errors, system crashes, and other issues caused by a faulty or corrupted operating system.
Information: Microsoft Helps has offered a step-by-step guide for performing an in-place upgrade.
How to perform a Windows 11 In-place upgrade | Microsoft
An in-place upgrade can be a useful step when troubleshooting Windows. The process works by using Windows installation media to re-install core operating system components leaving your personal files and programs untouched. In this video you will how to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 using the process of an in-place upgrade.
Important: To prevent any interference during the in-place upgrade, deactivate any third-party antivirus software.