Repairing corrupted Windows Files SFC - System File Checker

If your Windows Vista® or Windows 7® system files become corrupted and reports errors, you can run the System File Checker Scan to repair the files.

You can run System File Checker on Windows XP, but will not need to run at an elevated command prompt, also instead of Keying in cmd in the Search Box, you will Click Start > Run, then enter cmd.

In order to run the System File Checker and have it to repair the errors, run this at an elevated command prompt.

sfc /scannow

be sure and enter a space between the forward slash and the s in scannow.

To get to the elevated command prompt type in cmd or command in the search box near the bottom of your screen when you click on the Windows® Orb, commonly referred to as the Start Menu.
When you see the cmd, in the search results, right click it and choose Run as Administrator.

If System File Checker cannot repair the file, you can read the log file to find the faulting files.

In order to read the log file to find the faulting files, run the command below.

findstr /C:"[SR] Cannot repair member file" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

This will show you the corrupt files that it found
Make sure you go to the directory

%windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

when its done to see the results.


In order to read the .txt file in Vista or Seven, you will need to run Notepad as administrator by going to accessories, then right clicking it and choosing run as administrator.

For more information go to the Microsoft® Support website listed below.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

The log will tell you which files are corrupt, it will not repair them.

To repair the files you would need to extract and copy a good version of the file from the installation disk or run a repair install of Windows.
The repair install would be more apt to correct the problems as it will clean all of the Windows directories and components.
When you put your Windows install media in your CD or DVD drive and restart your computer, you will be prompted if you want to install Windows, you will lose your files if you do that, or perform a repair install, you would want to run the repair install.

You could choose to do a full re-install of Windows® if you have backed up your data and have your hardware drivers or know where to get them.

*Notes:

* Some computers have restore partitions so you may be able to re-install Windows by running a full system restore install.
Be sure and research online to see if your computer has a repair partition. Your computer manufacturer's website would have that information.

* You should back up of your files in case something goes wrong.

* If your computer does not boot to the CD when rebooting with CD or DVD in the proper drive, you may need to edit your BIOS settings and choose the CD or DVD drive as your top level boot drive.

Good Luck with running your Windows Repair, Windows re-install or System restore.

TVF