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    2 min read 7 stepsApril 2, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Repair Windows Using SFC and DISM Commands

    Fix corrupted system files and restore Windows health using built-in command-line tools.

    In this guide (7 steps):

    1. 1.When to use these tools
    2. 2.Open Command Prompt as administrator
    3. 3.Run SFC first
    4. 4.Read the SFC results
    5. 5.Run DISM if SFC fails
    6. 6.Run SFC again after DISM
    7. 7.Restart your computer
    1

    When to use these tools

    ~15s
    If Windows is crashing, showing errors, running slowly, or programs won't open, system files may be corrupted. SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing) can detect and repair these problems.
    2

    Open Command Prompt as administrator

    ~15s
    Right-click the Start button and select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)." Click Yes when asked to allow changes. You must run as administrator for these commands to work.
    3

    Run SFC first

    ~15s
    Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter. This scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted ones with cached copies. Wait for it to complete — it can take 10-30 minutes. Don't close the window.
    4

    Read the SFC results

    ~15s
    "Windows did not find any integrity violations" means files are fine. "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them" means problems were fixed. If it says files couldn't be repaired, try DISM next.
    5

    Run DISM if SFC fails

    ~15s
    Type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This downloads fresh copies of system files from Windows Update. Requires internet connection. Can take 15-30 minutes.
    6

    Run SFC again after DISM

    ~15s
    After DISM completes successfully, run sfc /scannow one more time. DISM repairs the source files that SFC uses, so SFC can now fix issues it couldn't before.
    7

    Restart your computer

    ~15s
    After repairs complete, restart Windows. Many fixes only take effect after a reboot. If problems persist, consider using System Restore to roll back to an earlier point.

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    Official Resources

    Microsoft SupportHow-To Geek — WindowsGCFGlobal — Windows Basics

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    How to Repair Windows Using SFC and DISM Commands — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure