For corrupted Windows system files, repair the Windows image with DISM first, then scan protected files with System File Checker (SFC). These tools do not restore a deleted document or necessarily fix a damaged file used by one app. Identify which kind of problem you have before choosing a repair.
Identify what kind of file problem you have
DISM and SFC repair Windows components and protected system files. They are appropriate when Windows features malfunction, system errors appear, or instability may be caused by missing or corrupted system files. They are not a general-purpose repair for every document or application file that will not open. Microsoft describes SFC as scanning protected system files and replacing corrupted files with a cached copy in Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files.
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- Windows is unstable or a Windows feature is failing: use the DISM and SFC steps below.
- A personal file is missing because it was deleted: check the Recycle Bin and backups, then consider Windows File Recovery.
- A personal file exists but one app cannot open it: DISM and SFC may not address the file; use the app’s repair or recovery options, or restore a known-good copy.
- Windows will not start or problems persist after system-file repair: choose a Windows recovery option based on whether you can sign in and the option’s effect on files and apps.
Prepare before running repairs
- Install available Windows updates and restart before scanning, as Microsoft recommends for its SFC workflow.
- Back up important personal files before attempting recovery or reinstall actions that could affect data.
- If you use an encrypted device and need Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), make sure you can access its BitLocker recovery key.
Repair protected Windows files with DISM and SFC
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator
- Type command prompt in taskbar search.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Approve the permission prompt.
2. Repair the Windows image with DISM
Enter this command and press Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Wait for DISM to finish and report The operation completed successfully. DISM supplies files required for the subsequent SFC repair and normally obtains them through Windows Update. If Windows Update is unavailable or broken, a repair source may be needed; use Microsoft’s instructions for choosing a valid source rather than assuming a particular source path exists on your PC.
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After DISM succeeds, enter:
sfc /scannow
Leave the Command Prompt open until verification reaches 100%. Interpret the final message rather than treating every result as a successful repair:
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- Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations: SFC did not find missing or corrupted protected system files.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them: SFC repaired the files it found. Restart and check whether the original Windows problem is resolved.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them: review the SFC details below. Avoid manually replacing protected system files unless following an appropriate Microsoft procedure.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation: Microsoft’s detailed guidance suggests trying the scan in Safe Mode and checking for the
PendingDeletesandPendingRenamesfolders under%WinDir%WinSxSTemp.
4. Review SFC details when needed
To extract SFC entries from the CBS log, run:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%LogsCBSCBS.log >"%userprofile%Desktopsfcdetails.txt"
Open sfcdetails.txt on the Desktop and check timestamps: the extracted log can contain entries from earlier SFC scans as well as the most recent one.
Choose a recovery option if the issue continues
Recovery choices target different problems and have different effects. Start with the least disruptive option that fits your situation; availability and exact labels can vary with Windows version and device configuration.
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|---|---|---|---|
| DISM and SFC | Windows image and protected system files | Elevated Command Prompt; DISM normally uses Windows Update as its source | Targets system components, not deleted personal files |
| System Restore | System files, registry settings, and installed programs as of a restore point | A suitable restore point; can be opened with rstrui.exe or from WinRE |
Microsoft says personal files are unaffected |
| Windows File Recovery | Attempts to recover deleted files from local storage | Microsoft Store app; different source and destination drives | Copies recoverable files to a destination drive; success is not guaranteed |
| Reset or reinstall options | Broader Windows installation or system-state problems | Depends on the chosen option, Windows version, and whether Windows starts | Check the specific option’s data effects and back up first |
If Windows starts but is still behaving unexpectedly
Consider Windows’ available recovery options in increasing order of disruption. Depending on the Windows release and the problem, these may include a troubleshooter, reinstalling the current Windows version through Windows Update recovery, uninstalling a recent update, System Restore, or Reset this PC. Microsoft’s page for reinstalling the current Windows version through Windows Update applies to Windows 11 version 22H2 or later; see Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows for availability and steps. Check the data impact of the particular option before proceeding.
Use System Restore for a recent system change
If the trouble began after an app, driver, or settings change and a restore point is available, System Restore may roll system files, registry settings, and installed programs back to that point. It does not affect personal files. Start it by running rstrui.exe, or access it from WinRE. Learn more in Microsoft’s System Restore guidance.
If Windows will not start
WinRE offers troubleshooting tools and may start automatically after repeated startup failures. Depending on what is available, access it from recovery settings or Windows installation media, then select the relevant Troubleshoot and Advanced options path. Have the BitLocker recovery key available if the device is encrypted. Microsoft explains the available routes in Windows Recovery Environment.
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Recover a deleted personal file
Do not keep running system-file repairs in an attempt to retrieve a deleted document. First check the Recycle Bin and any backup you use. If the file is not there, Windows File Recovery is a Microsoft Store command-line app that attempts to recover deleted files from local internal, external, or USB storage. It does not support cloud storage or network file shares. Minimize computer use after deletion because new writes can overwrite storage space containing recoverable data.
Windows File Recovery requires different source and destination drives. Its command pattern is:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
For example, a documents-folder recovery attempt can use:
Winfr C: E: /regular /n Users<username>Documents
Replace <username> with the relevant account name and use the mode and filters suited to the file system and recovery target. Consult Microsoft’s current Windows File Recovery instructions for supported modes and examples. Recovery is an attempt, not a guarantee.
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