sfc – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10

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sfc – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Here we can see, “sfc – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10”

This post will show you how to utilise the sfc programme on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.

Concerning sfc

System File Checker (sfc) or sfc.exe stands for System File Checker. Starting with Windows 98, it’s a software in Microsoft Windows operating systems that allows you to scan and restore system file corruptions.

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 support the sfc programme.

You must be logged in as an Administrator to use this programme.

Parameters

This utility’s most important command parameter is:

sfc /scannow

The /scannow command scans for problems and, if one is found, attempts to replace the problematic files from the DLL Cache.

Individual files can be scanned with the sfc utility on Windows Vista or later (7, 8, 8.1).

Other options for the sfc utility include:

  • The system files will be scanned only once with sfc /scanonce.
  • Every time your machine boots, sfc /scanboot will scan the system files.
  • sfc /revert will revert the scan to its original state.
  • sfc /purgecache clears the Windows File Protection cache and starts a system-wide scan.
  • Set the cache size of Windows File Protection with sfc /cachesize=x, where x is the size in MB.
  • The help list will be displayed if you type sfc /?
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In Easy Recovery Essentials, Run sfc

You can download Easy Recovery Essentials, burn it to a CD, DVD, or USB drive, and then run the sfc.exe commands.

To do so, take the following steps:

  1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials
  2. The ISO image should be burned.
  3. Easy Recovery Essentials is a great place to start.
  4. Select Launch Command Line

In Windows XP, Run sfc

Follow these procedures to run the sfc tool in Windows XP.

If you execute the tool while logged into Windows XP, the following will happen:

  1. Open the Command Prompt window. To do so, go to Start > Run, type cmd, and then hit Enter.
  2. Press Enter after typing the /scannow command:
sfc /scannow

You must set the location where your Windows XP is installed if you run sfc outside of Windows XP, such as while you’re at Recovery Console or via Easy Recovery Essentials if you can’t boot into Windows XP:

  1. Open the Command Prompt window.
  2. Replace c: with the letter of the drive where Windows XP is installed in this command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

3. Press Enter

Follow these procedures to run the commands using your Windows XP installation disc:

  1. In the disc tray, place the installation CD.
  2. Restart the computer if necessary.
  3. At the Press any key message, press any key on your keyboard to boot from the CD.
  4. To open Recovery Console, hit R on the Welcome to Setup page.
  5. The Administrator password must be entered.
  6. When the Command Prompt window appears, type sfc and click Enter:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Substitute the drive letter where Windows XP is installed for c:\

In Windows Vista, Run sfc

Follow these procedures to run the sfc in Windows Vista:

  1. Click Start
  2. Select All Programs.
  3. Click Accessories.
  4. Command Prompt can be accessed by right-clicking it.
  5. Click Run as Administrator.
  6. Click Yes or No if UAC (User Account Control) appears. Continue to use Administrator mode in Command Prompt.
  7. Type sfc /scannow into the Command Prompt when it appears.
  8. Press Enter.

Use your original installation CD if you can’t get into Windows Vista. To do so, simply follow the instructions outlined below.

  1. In the disc tray, place the original Windows Vista DVD.
  2. Start by booting from the DVD.
  3. Select a keyboard layout and a language.
  4. Select Repair your computer from the Welcome screen.
  5. Select your operating system from the drop-down menu.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Command Prompt in the System Recovery Options window.
  8. Press Enter after typing the command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

The drive’s letter where Windows Vista is installed should be replaced with c:

In Windows 7, Run sfc

Follow these procedures to run the sfc in Windows Vista:

  1. Click Start
  2. In the search box, type the command prompt.
  3. Command Prompt is the first item in the search results list. Right-click it.
  4. Select Run as administrator.
  5. Click Continue or Yes on the UAC warning window to allow this activity.
  6. When the Command Prompt window displays, type the following command:
sfc /scannow

7. Press Enter.

You can either use the installation CD or the System Recovery Options window on your computer to conduct the sfc command.

Method 1:

  1. After inserting the original Windows 7 installation DVD into the disc tray, reboot your computer.
  2. When it reads “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD,” press any key.
  3. Choose a language and a keyboard layout.
  4. Click Repair your computer.
  5. Choose an operating system.
  6. Select Command Prompt.
  7. Press Enter after typing the command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

The drive’s letter where Windows 7 is installed should be replaced with c:.

Also See:  sfc.exe

Method 2:

  1. Restart your computer
  2. Before the Windows 7 logo displays, press the F8 key numerous times during startup.
  3. Select Repair your computer from the Advanced Options screen.
  4. Choose a language and a keyboard.
  5. Choose Command Prompt from the drop-down menu.
  6. Press Enter after typing the command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

The drive’s letter where Windows 7 is installed should be replaced with c:.

In Windows 8 or 8.1, Run sfc

Follow these procedures to start the sfc on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1:

  1. Boot into your system
  2. To open the Charm Bar, press the Windows key and the C key simultaneously.
  3. In the search field, type command prompt or cmd.
  4. Right-click Command Prompt in the search results list.
  5. Choose the Run as Administrator option.
  6. Please enter your password.
  7. When the Command Prompt appears, type sfc and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow

You can also use the Windows installation CD to launch the software. To do so, simply follow the instructions outlined below.

  1. Restart the computer after inserting the DVD.
  2. To boot from the DVD, press any key.
  3. Select a keyboard layout, a time zone, and a language.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Click Repair your computer.
  6. Select Troubleshoot.
  7. Click Advanced settings from the menu.
  8. Select Command Prompt.
  9. Press Enter after typing the command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

In Windows 10, Run sfc

Follow these instructions to launch sfc in Windows 10:

  1. Boot into your system
  2. To access the Start Menu, use the Windows key.
  3. In the search field, type command prompt or cmd.
  4. Right-click Command Prompt in the search results list.
  5. Choose the Run as Administrator option.
  6. Please enter your password.
  7. When the Command Prompt appears, type sfc and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow

You can also use the Windows installation CD to launch the software. To do so, simply follow the instructions outlined below.

  1. Restart the computer after inserting the DVD.
  2. To boot from the DVD, press any key.
  3. Select a keyboard layout, a time zone, and a language.
  4. Click Next
  5. Click Repair your computer.
  6. Select Troubleshoot.
  7. Select Advanced options.
  8. Click Command Prompt.
  9. Type the command and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Troubleshooting

sfc isn’t recognised by the system

If the sfc commands you type in Command Prompt aren’t being recognised, check sure you’ve done the following:

  • As an Administrator, you are logged in.
  • You’re either a member of an Administrator group or logged in as one.

Windows Resource Protection could not perform

If you try to run /sfc scannow, you may get the following error:

Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

This error will likely show if the hard disc has corruption or faulty sectors. You can attempt any of the following solutions to resolve this issue:

Tip 1: Boot into Safe Mode

While in Safe Mode, try using the sfc /scannow command. Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode:

  1. Boot your computer.
  2. Before the Windows logo shows, press the F8 key.
  3. Use the arrow keys to get to the Windows Options screen and select Safe Mode.
  4. Press Enter.

Tip 2: Run the chkdsk command

Whether Tip 1 doesn’t work, try running chkdsk to see if your hard disc has any faulty sectors or corruption.

Follow these steps to run chkdsk (related guide: chkdsk):

  1. Place the original Windows installation CD or DVD in the drive.
  2. Go to the Command Prompt window. Command Prompt can be found in the following locations, depending on your Windows version:
    • Windows XP: Go to Recovery Console
    • Windows Vista or 7: Go to System Recovery Options
    • Windows 8 or 8.1: Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
  3. When the Command Prompt window displays, type the following command:
chkdsk c: /r

Where c: is the location of your Windows installation.

4. Press Enter

Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service

When you try to use the sfc utility, you can get the following error:

Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service

Run the following commands if it returns this error:

ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old

Replace C with the letter of the drive on which Windows is installed.

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=[c]:\ /offwindir=[c]:\windows

Replace C with the letter of the drive on which Windows is installed.

Conclusion

I hope this information was helpful. If you have anything to add, please do so in the comments.

User Questions

1. In Windows XP, how can I perform a sfc scan?

After that, click Start, then Run.

System File Checker is a programme that checks for and restores system files. Type the following in the Open field: sfc /scannow. After that, either hit Enter or click OK.

2. Is sfc available in Windows XP?

Concerning sfc… Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 all support the sfc programme. You must be logged in as an Administrator to use this programme.

3. Why isn’t sfc working?

If sfc /scannow fails, it’s likely because of corrupted files, which you can resolve by either locating and replacing the corrupted files or running a DISM scan.

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4. sfc scannow is NOT a reliable tool to detect file corruptions

sfc scannow is NOT a reliable tool to detect file corruptions from Amd

5. Has sfc /scannow ever helped you?

Has sfc /scannow ever helped you? from sysadmin

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