How To Repair Windows Installation Using DISM And SFC

To repair a Windows installation using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker), you’ll need to perform the following steps:

Pre-requisites:

• Ensure your Windows installation is up-to-date.

• Run the DISM tool as an administrator.

Step 1: Check for corruption using DISM

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

• Type dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and press Enter.

• The command will scan your system for any issues and repair them.

Step 2: Check file integrity using SFC

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

• The command will check all system files for corruption and replace or repair them if necessary.

Step 3: Repair missing files (if any)

• If there are missing or corrupted files, you may need to use the following commands:

– sfc /scannow (check as in Step 2)

– dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth (repeat this command to repair all issues)

Step 4: Run DISM and SFC again

• After fixing any issues, run the following commands to apply your changes:

– dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

– sfc /scannow

Additional Tips:

– If you’re experiencing issues with a specific file or drive, try checking its integrity using SFC before running DISM.

– Make sure to update your Windows installation before attempting any repairs.

– If you encounter errors during the repair process, review the event logs for more information.

Common Issues and Solutions:

• Missing files:

+ dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth: This command will scan and repair all issues.

+ sfc /scannow: This command will check system files but may not fix all issues.

– Corrupted drivers:

+ Use the dism /online /cleanup-image /forceuninstall option to uninstall all drivers, then run DISM again.

+ Run SFC after driver installation to repair any corrupted drivers.

Troubleshooting:

• If you’re experiencing errors while running DISM or SFC, review the event logs for more information.

• Use the Windows Event Viewer (Eventvwr) to view error messages related to DISM and SFC.

By following these steps, you should be able to repair a Windows installation using DISM and SFC. If you encounter issues during the process, refer to the official Microsoft documentation or seek further assistance from Microsoft support or online forums.