• How to check Windows 7 installation files. SFC Scannow - what is this command

    Windows? Checking the integrity of Windows 10/8/7/XP is needed if you suspect that some of the system partitions have changed or become defective due to the influence of malware.

    There are several tools available to check the integrity of Windows 10 files. The most common is SFC.exe, DISM.exe is often used. You can also use the Repair-WindowsImage function in PowerShell. We recommend using several methods, but one at a time. This is necessary because each of the options will check the integrity different files. If you need to perform such a procedure, but do not know how to check the integrity system files Windows 10 correctly, in order to correct them and resume work, carefully read the recommendations below, follow the sequential steps, then you can check and restore the integrity of system files in Windows 10 and other versions.

    Check the status of system files using Windows tools

    Scanning with SCF

    Many users use the sfc /scannow command to scan the operating system before restoring lost or damaged files in order to ensure their correct functioning, restore smooth operation, and troubleshoot problems by restoring damaged components. offline mode examines and corrects system partitions of Windows 10 OS.

    • To activate this command, first open CMD, start with administrator rights. You can activate the utility using the mouse by right-clicking on the main “Start” menu, then selecting “Command Prompt” from the list. In the dialog box, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
    • A check will begin, defects will be identified, and then they will begin to correct without your intervention, assistance automatically, by the system itself. If no errors are found, you will be informed that no problems were detected by OS resource protection.
    • If you decide to check one specific system file, then specify scf /scanfile=”path to file” on the command line.
    • It should be noted that SCF is not able to correct errors in those partitions that are running at the time of scanning, so it is best to use SFC exclusively when running “Recovery” Windows environment 10".

    Running SFC using the recovery environment

    To properly activate SCF, follow the steps below in sequence.

    After completing the above steps, a list of volumes will appear; you need to remember or write down those letters that correspond to the system partition and the “System Reserved” disk.

    sfc / /scannow /offbootdir=bootloader partition letter:\ /offwindir=E:\Windows (or your path to the Windows 10 directory).

    As a result, a scan should start checking the integrity of system files, and recovery will be available for all of them. Please note that the check will take quite a significant amount of time; you do not need to turn off or restart your computer during the entire procedure. Last action will only need to be executed when the scan is complete and you close the Command Prompt.

    Scanning with DISM.exe

    This utility is used to mount images, makes it possible to identify and correct problems that arise with OS partitions as a result of their damage, and perform restoration. It's great for sections that SFC couldn't handle. It can also be used if SFC was unable to detect any problems during scanning. Therefore, do not limit yourself to just one type of scanning and treatment of damaged areas; be sure to carry out this operation when working with system components.

    The command line is also used to launch DISM.exe. Activate it as an administrator and then follow the steps:

    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth - this function provides information about what defects and damage are present different components Windows 10. A deep scan, however, is not performed; only previously found data is used.
    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth - scans for possible damage to the component storage. This check often requires quite a lot of time, periodically freezing during the implementation process (usually by 20%).
    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - a thorough inspection and reconstruction of system files in offline mode, restoration, which also takes a long time.

    All logs of actions when executing the above commands are written to the path Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log, Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

    Like the previous utility, DISM is also launched using the mode Windows recovery 10.

    Checking the integrity of system files in Windows 7/8 is identical to the same operation in 10. This is done in the same way - via the command line via SFC and the corresponding command. All actions are performed in the same sequence as described earlier. A similar algorithm is used to check the integrity of system files in Windows XP. The command line interpreter starts like this:

    • go to the Start menu;
    • click on the “Run” option;
    • In the dialog box, type the command “cmd”, then Enter on the keyboard.

    As a result, a regular command line will open and you can perform all the steps to check OS files for defects.

    All of these operations will help restore damaged, damaged partitions of any operating system Windows class, which will solve interference problems malware into the operation of the computer, will return speed to its operation, will allow you to avoid extreme measures, such as full recovery systems in case of malfunctions. You do not need to reinstall the entire OS; it is enough to restore damaged components. Identify them using special commands and utilities, and your computer will continue to function.

    No user is immune from errors in the Windows 10 operating system. They can arise due to its purposeful or accidental interference with the operation of the OS, as well as due to the fault of third-party applications. If the operating system begins to complain about missing files, registry errors, or the inability to read items from Windows folders, you will need to check the integrity of its components.

    The Windows 10 operating system provides 2 methods for analyzing file integrity - through the SFC.exe and DISM.exe tools. The commands do not replace each other, but complement each other, checking various system libraries for file integrity. That is why it is recommended to do not one of them, but both. The tools will allow you to check the integrity of Windows 10 files and replace damaged or modified elements with original ones.

    Important: If the computer user previously made reasonable changes to the system files of the operating system, they will be canceled. Windows Tools will replace the changed elements with the original ones, even if the problem in the operation of the computer or application is not caused by their actions.

    How to check file integrity in Windows 10 using SFC

    It is recommended to start checking the integrity of operating system files with SFC teams. It allows you to find errors in key files and fix them. You can check using SFC as in familiar interface Windows 10 through the command line and through the recovery environment, both of these methods are described below.

    Via the command line in the Windows interface

    It is better to start checking using SFC through standard interface Windows using the command line. Most often this is enough. To check the integrity of the files you need to do the following:


    If there are no problems with Windows system files, after checking the user will see a message that “Protection Windows resources did not detect a violation of integrity.” In such a situation, you can proceed to checking files using DISM.

    However, in some situations, files that are responsible for displaying may not work correctly. GUI Windows and the system will not be able to fix them, since they are active. In such cases, it is necessary to check the SFC through a recovery environment that does not require loading a graphical interface and is capable of working with these files and also changing them if necessary.

    Please note if you suspect that the system malfunction is due to specific file, may not be performed full check SFC. Just enter the command sfc /scanfile=”address to file”, and it will be replaced instantly with the original version if changes were previously made to it or it works with an error.

    Via recovery environment

    To check the integrity of files using the SFC command through the recovery environment, you will need to perform the following steps:

    Click on the Start button in the lower left corner and go to Settings:


    diskpart list volume

    After executing the second command, a list of available volumes will be displayed. Here you need to pay attention to the disk that is reserved by the system and to system partition with the operating system. Next, you will need to manipulate them.

    Continue typing the commands:

    Exit sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=E:\Windows

    The last command requires you to specify the drives that were noted above. That is, in the above command example, drive C is the partition with the bootloader, and drive E is the place where the operating system is installed Windows system 10.

    Attention: There is a good chance that your drive letters will be different from those given in the example, so the command will vary.

    1. After entering the last of the four commands, an integrity scan of the operating system files will begin.

    The advantage of working through the recovery environment is the ability of the SFC tool to replace the files that are needed to boot the graphic Windows interface. Check in in this case will take a little longer than when working through the command line in the operating system interface. In this case, the command line in the recovery environment will not graphically notify the user about the speed of the process. You can determine that the computer is working properly and the file integrity check has not frozen by the blinking underscore icon.

    At the end of the scan, the user will see information that no integrity violations were detected or were successfully resolved. After this, you can move on to the second verification method - using the DISM tool.

    How to check file integrity in Windows 10 using DISM

    As noted above, after checking using SFC, it is recommended to start analyzing the system with the DISM tool. During the scan, it will examine other directories (and will once again “go through” the files that were scanned by SFC).

    Scanning with the DISM tool is slightly different from analyzing the system using SFC. The user has the opportunity to select one of three commands to check the system. Each of them has different level impact.

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

    When executing this command, the system checks the records made by diagnostic utilities to detect changed or problematic files in the system. The command is executed quickly, but there is no verification, and all data is based on previously recorded information.

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

    This team is aimed at analyzing all system components to identify errors and damaged elements in them. In this case, only a check is carried out, and the user is notified of the presence or absence of problematic files. This check can take from several minutes to several hours, depending on the speed work hard disk, its load and the degree of interference with operating system files.

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    This command, unlike the previous one, not only checks the files, but also immediately replaces them with intact ones. It will also take from several minutes to several hours to complete.

    Important: Please note that the last two commands that run the Windows 10 file integrity check may freeze at a certain percentage during execution (usually around 20). Under no circumstances should you reboot the system at this moment, because this situation is typical and interest will continue to accrue over time.

    Often, users are forced to believe that the system files of the operating system (OS) are damaged, the reason is characteristic failures when performing basic operations and slow work computer. It happens that loading an external IT product leads to a destructive change in the OS configuration. In these cases, checking the integrity of system files in Windows 10 helps.

    Typically, the OS provides two software products SFC.exe and DISM.exe, and, in addition, the Repair-WindowsImage command for Windows PowerShell. The first ones check the integrity of the system components and automatically restore their identified defects. The second does this by using DISM.

    Experts are confident that it is more advisable to use them one by one, since the lists of scanned files for these software tools differ from each other.

    In continuation, we will consider several instructions for using the presented software. The described actions are safe, but you must remember that restoring system files is complex in nature and affects even those changes made by the user himself. In particular, installation of external resources and other OS conversions will be canceled.

    Examine the integrity of the system and correct its elements using SFC

    The OS integrity scanning command sfc /scannow is popular among experienced users. It automatically examines and eliminates defects in OS components.

    SFC operates as an administrator, through the command line, which is opened by right-clicking on the Start menu. Next, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.

    These actions begin a scan of the OS, as a result of which the detected damage is corrected. If there are no errors, the user sees the message “Windows Resource Protection detected no integrity violations.” Another aspect of this study is irreparable damage. Part of the continuation of this article will be devoted to them.

    The sfc /scanfile=”path_to_file” command allows you to check for errors in a specific system component.

    The disadvantage of the software is that it does not eliminate defects in OS elements used during scanning. The problem is solved by running SFC via the command line in the OS recovery environment. This method is quite effective and involves performing several simple operations.

    Integrity testing using SFC in an OS recovery environment

    It does not take much time and does not require special skills. Launching in the OS recovery environment is performed in several ways:

    1. You need to go to “Settings” and select “Update and Security”, “Recovery”, “ Special options downloads" and "Reboot now". A simpler method: in the lower right part of the OS login interface, click the “on” tab, after which, while holding “Shift”, you need to click “Reboot”.
    2. Another option is to boot from a pre-prepared OS recovery disk.
    3. Another alternative is electronic media with OS distribution. In the installation program, after selecting the language, select “System Restore” in the lower left part.


    When finished, you need to enter “Troubleshooting”, select “ Additional options" and click "Command Line" (using the first of the previously presented methods requires entering the system administrator password). The following is applied sequentially:

    • diskpart
    • list volume


    Based on the results of running the specified commands, the user sees a list of volumes. It is recommended to remember their designations corresponding to the “System Reserved” drive and the OS partition, since sometimes they differ from those in Explorer.

    sfc /scannow /offbootdir=F:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows (where F is the previously specified “System Reserved” drive, and C:\Windows is the path to the OS folder).


    The described actions initiate an in-depth investigation of the system's integrity, during which the SFC command fixes all damaged components, without exception. Studying can take a long time. The underscore indicator blinks to indicate that the system is continuing to operate. When finished, the command line closes and the OS reboots in standard mode.

    Scan and restore your system using DISM.exe

    It happens that the SFC team cannot cope with some defects in system components. The IT product DISM.exe allows you to complete the restoration you have started. It scans and maintains the system, fixing even the most problematic components.

    DISM.exe is used even when SFC does not detect OS integrity defects, but there is still reason to suspect that they exist.

    First of all, right-click on the Start menu as an administrator to launch the Command Prompt. Then other commands are launched:

    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth. It is used to generate information about the state of the OS and the presence of damage to its components. Does not initiate the study, scans earlier values ​​of recorded parameters.


    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth. Explores and verifies the integrity of the system components repository. Takes a long time, barely breaking the 20% mark.


    • dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Examines and automatically repairs the OS. It works slowly, interrupting at times.


    In circumstances where storage recovery system elements is not implemented, install.wim (esd) with Windows 10 ISO is used as a source of patchable components. Another option is used for this:

    dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:path_to_wim_file:1 /limitaccess

    In some cases, “.wim is replaced by .esd.”

    While using these commands, all operations performed are saved in a log, which is contained in Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log and Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log. The DISM tool runs in the OS recovery environment in the same way as it does when running SFC.

    This software tool can also be implemented in Windows PowerShell as an administrator, using a set of Repair-WindowsImage commands. For example:

    • Repair-WindowsImage -Online -ScanHealth. Looks for defects in system elements,
    • Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth. Investigates and troubleshoots problems.

    Apparently, restoring the integrity of the OS is a completely feasible task, the solution of which allows you to get rid of various problems with the system. In rare cases, when the described tools do not help, you should use other algorithms found in open access. In particular, you should try to roll back the system to the previous Windows 10 restore point.

    Some users are faced with the fact that SFC detects defects in system elements immediately after updating with a new OS build. Under these conditions, error correction is possible only with a new “clean” installation of the system image. Sometimes damage is detected in certain versions software for video cards. In this case, the file opencl.dll is erroneous. It may not be worth taking any action at all in these circumstances.

    Conclusion

    The described methods for studying the integrity of the OS are simple and effective. The stages of their implementation are understandable to most of the user audience, including those who do not have special programming skills. However, to secure the material, it will be necessary useful videos that are publicly available on the Internet.

    Or sfc.exe is a utility in Microsoft Windows and is located in the C:WindowsSystem32 folder. This utility allows users to scan and recover corrupt files Windows systems.

    IN Windows 7 And Vista, program system file checker integrated with Windows Resource Protection, which protects registry and folder keys as well as critical system files. If any changes are detected in the protected file system, the modified file is restored from a saved copy located in the folder Windows.
    So, if at any point of time, if you find that you have hacked some system files or maybe used some tricks or maybe replaced system files, during setup Windows and now you find that your Windows OS does not work properly, you can consider running this system recovery utility.
    To start system file checker V Windows 7 or Vista,in the field Start Search enter type CMD. As a result, a command prompt window appears, right-click on CMD


    The command line window will open with type SFC/Scannow– press Enter. Utility SFC will work for some time, and if corruption is detected, it will replace them with the saved one. In case you are unable to start checking system files, and you will receive the message “ Windows Resource Protection - Windows cannot start repair services”, you can check whether it has been enabled in your OS Windows Installer Service modules. To do this, enter services.msc in the search bar and press Enter. The status of this service should be set in the manual. In addition, you can also download a very useful free utility FixWin and press the button system file check. This will launch sfc.exe.
    A few more sfc switches:
    Scan once on next boot: sfc/scanonce
    Scan on every boot: sfc/scanboot
    Clearing the file cache: sfc/purgecache
    Return to default: sfc/revert
    You can also use sfc.exe program to help troubleshoot crashes that occur in the user mode part Windows 7 And Vista. These failures may be due to missing or damaged files operating system. To do this you need to have access to the log files.
    How to view a log file.
    sfc.exe program writes details of each operation check and repair of each operation in cbs.log file. Every time after launch sfc.exe programs the tag will be written in this file. File cbs.log is in the folder %WINDIR%logsCBS.You can search for tags that will help you find posts sfc.exe programs. To perform this type of search and send results to text file, follow these steps:
    Click the button Start, enter CMD in the field Start Search, right click on CMD on the list Programs and select Run as administrator.
    Type the following command and press Enter:
    Findstr/s: ““%WINDIR%Logs CBS cbs.log>sfcdetails.txt
    File Sfcdetails.txt contains entries that are logged every time the sfc.exe program runs on the computer.
    How to interpret log file entries:
    sfc.exe program checks files in a group of 100. So there will be many groups of records there sfc.exe programs. Each entry has next format: date/time/entry_type . For more information on how to interpret, visit

    If there are problems with your computer, it’s a good idea to check the OS to determine the integrity of the system files. Damage or deletion of these objects is often the cause incorrect operation PC. Let's see how you can perform this operation in Windows 7.

    If you notice any errors during the operation of your computer or its incorrect behavior, for example, the periodic appearance of blue screen death, then, first of all, it is necessary. If this check did not find any faults, then in this case you should resort to scanning the system for the integrity of system files, which we will discuss in detail below. This operation can be performed either by using the capabilities of third-party software or by launching an embedded Windows utilities 7 "SFC" through "Command line". It should be noted that even third-party programs are used only to activate "SFC".

    Method 1: Windows Repair

    One of the most popular third party programs to scan your computer for damage to system files and restore them if problems are found.


    We will talk in more detail about the operation of this utility when reviewing Method 3, since it can also be launched by using embedded Microsoft Tools operating system.

    Method 2: Glary Utilities

    Next comprehensive program to optimize computer performance, with which you can check the integrity of system files, is . Usage this application has one important advantage over the previous method. It lies in the fact that Glory Utilities, unlike Windows Repair, has Russian-language interface, which greatly facilitates the task for domestic users.


    More detailed information about work "SFC" presented when considering the following method.

    Method 3: "Command Line"

    Activate "SFC" to scan for file corruption Windows systems, you can use exclusively OS tools, specifically "Command line".


    Attention! In order for SFC to not only check the integrity of system files, but also restore them if errors are detected, it is recommended to insert the tool before starting installation disk operating system. This must be the exact disk from which Windows was installed on this computer.

    There are several variations of using the product "SFC" to check the integrity of system files. If you need to scan without restoring missing or damaged OS objects by default, then "Command line" you need to enter the command:

    If you need to check a specific file for damage, you should enter a command that matches the following pattern:

    sfc /scanfile=file_address

    Also special team exists to check an operating system located on a different hard drive, that is, not the same OS in which you are working in at the moment. Its template looks like this:

    sfc /scannow /offwindir=Windows_directory_address

    Problem launching "SFC"

    When trying to activate "SFC" a problem may occur that "Command line" A message will be displayed indicating that the recovery service failed to activate.

    Most common cause This problem is disabling a system service "Installer Windows modules» . To be able to scan your computer with the tool "SFC", it must be turned on.

    1. Click "Start", go to "Control Panel".

    2. Come to "System and Security".

    3. Now press "Administration".

    4. A window will appear with a list of different system tools. Click "Services" to make the transition to "Service Manager".

    5. A window opens with a list of system services. Here you need to find the name "Windows Module Installer". To make your search easier, click on the column name "Name". The elements will be built according to the alphabet. Having found the desired object, check what value is in its field "Startup type". If there is an inscription "Disabled", then you should enable the service.

    6. Click RMB by the name of the specified service and select from the list "Properties".

    7. The service properties shell opens. In the section "General" click on the area "Startup type", where the value is currently set "Disabled".

    8. A list opens. Here you should select a value "Manually".

    9. Once the required value is set, click "Apply" And "OK".

    10. IN "Service Manager" in the column "Startup type" in the line of the element we need, the value is set to "Manually". This means that you can now run "SFC" via the command line.

    As you can see, you can run a computer check for the integrity of system files either using third-party programs or using « Command line» Windows. However, no matter how you run the check, it still performs it system tool "SFC". That is, third party applications can only make it easier and more intuitive to launch the built-in scanning tool. Therefore, specifically in order to produce this type check, there is no point in downloading and installing third-party software. True, if it is already installed on your computer for general system optimization purposes, then, of course, you can use it to activate "SFC" data software products, since this is still more convenient than acting traditionally through "Command line".

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