{"id":2714,"date":"2014-10-27T14:05:36","date_gmt":"2014-10-27T19:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/?p=2714"},"modified":"2016-11-13T01:14:41","modified_gmt":"2016-11-13T07:14:41","slug":"sfc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/sfc\/","title":{"rendered":"sfc – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

This guide shows you how to use the sfc utility<\/strong> for the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 <\/strong>and 10.<\/strong><\/p>\n

About sfc<\/h2>\n

Sfc or sfc.exe stands for System File Checker<\/strong>. It’s a utility in Microsoft Windows operating systems, starting from Windows 98, that allows you to scan and restore corruptions in system files.<\/p>\n

The sfc utility is available for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.<\/p>\n

To run this utility you need to be logged in as an Administrator<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Parameters<\/h3>\n

The most command parameter for this utility is:<\/p>\n

sfc \/scannow<\/pre>\n
The \/scannow<\/code> command will scan for issues and, if it finds one, it will attempt to replace the files that have issues from the DLL Cache.<\/p>\n
In Windows Vista or later (7, 8, 8.1), the sfc utility can be used to scan individual files.<\/p>\n
Other parameters for the sfc utility are:<\/p>\n
sfc \/scanonce<\/code> will scan the system files only once.<\/p>\n
sfc \/scanboot<\/code> will scan the system files at every boot of your computer<\/p>\n
sfc \/revert<\/code> will return the scan to its default operating<\/p>\n
sfc \/purgecache<\/code> will remove the Windows File Protection cache and begin a scan over the system files<\/p>\n
sfc \/cachesize=x<\/code>, where x<\/code> is the size in MB, will set the cache size of the Windows File Protection<\/p>\n
sfc \/?<\/code> will display the help list<\/p>\n
Run sfc in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/h2>\n
You can download and burn Easy Recovery Essentials on any CD, DVD or USBs and run the sfc.exe commands you need.<\/p>\n
To do so, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
    \n
  1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Burn the ISO image. Follow our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image to a CD or DVD<\/a>. If you’d like to have a recovery USB instead, follow these instructions<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Boot into Easy Recovery Essentials<\/li>\n
  4. Select Launch Command Line<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Run sfc in Windows XP<\/h2>\n
    To run the sfc utility in Windows XP, follow these steps.<\/p>\n
    If you run the utility while you’re logged into Windows XP:<\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Open Command Prompt<\/strong>. To do so, go to Start > Run<\/strong> and type cmd<\/code> and click OK.<\/li>\n
    2. Type the \/scannow<\/code> command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
      sfc \/scannow<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      If you run sfc outside Windows XP, e.g. when you’re at Recovery Console or via Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a> if you can’t boot into Windows XP, you need to set the path where your Windows XP is installed:<\/p>\n
        \n
      1. Open Command Prompt<\/li>\n
      2. Type this command, but replace c:\\<\/code> with the letter of the drive where your Windows XP is installed:\n
        sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
      3. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        If System File Checker founds any errors and repairs the issues found, restart your computer before you boot into Windows XP.<\/p>\n
        To run the commands using your Windows XP installation disc, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
          \n
        1. Insert the installation CD in the disc tray<\/li>\n
        2. Restart the computer<\/li>\n
        3. At the Press any key<\/em> message, press any key on your keyboard to boot from the CD<\/li>\n
        4. At the Welcome to Setup<\/em> screen, press R<\/kbd> to open Recovery Console<\/strong><\/li>\n
        5. Enter the Administrator password<\/li>\n
        6. When Command Prompt appears, type the sfc command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
          sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n
          Replace c:\\<\/code> with the letter of the drive where your Windows XP is installed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Run sfc in Windows Vista<\/h2>\n
          To run the sfc in Windows Vista, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
            \n
          1. Click Start<\/li>\n
          2. Click All Programs<\/li>\n
          3. Click Accessories<\/li>\n
          4. Right-click on Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
          5. Click Run as Administrator<\/strong><\/li>\n
          6. If UAC (User Account Control) appears, click Yes or Continue to continue to open Command Prompt as Administrator<\/li>\n
          7. When the Command Prompt appears, type: sfc \/scannow<\/code><\/li>\n
          8. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            If you can’t boot into Windows Vista, use your original installation disc.<\/strong> To do so, follow these steps below.<\/p>\n
            If you don’t have the installation disc, go to Run sfc in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a>. You can burn EasyRE on any CD, DVD or USBs.<\/p>\n
              \n
            1. Insert the original Windows Vista DVD in the disc tray<\/li>\n
            2. Boot from the DVD<\/li>\n
            3. Choose a language and keyboard layout<\/li>\n
            4. At the Welcome<\/em> screen, click on Repair your computer<\/strong><\/li>\n
            5. Choose your operating system from the list<\/li>\n
            6. Click Next<\/li>\n
            7. At the System Recovery Options<\/em> window, click Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
            8. Type the command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
              sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n
              Replace c:<\/code> with the letter of the drive where Windows Vista is installed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              Run sfc in Windows 7<\/h2>\n
              To run the sfc in Windows Vista, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
              If you can’t boot into Windows 7, go to Run sfc in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a>.<\/p>\n
                \n
              1. Click Start<\/li>\n
              2. Type command prompt<\/code> in search box<\/li>\n
              3. Right-click on the first item in search results list: Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
              4. Click Run as administrator<\/li>\n
              5. Click Continue or Yes on the UAC warning window to allow this action<\/li>\n
              6. When Command Prompt appears, type the command:\n
                sfc \/scannow<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
              7. Press Enter<\/kbd>\"The<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                You can also run the sfc command via the installation disc or the System Recovery Options panel installed on your computer.<\/p>\n
                Method #1<\/strong><\/p>\n
                  \n
                1. Insert the original Windows 7 installation DVD in the disc tray and reboot your computer<\/li>\n
                2. Press any key when it says “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD..”<\/li>\n
                3. Select a language and keyboard option<\/li>\n
                4. Click Repair your computer<\/strong><\/li>\n
                5. Select your operating system<\/li>\n
                6. Choose Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
                7. Type the command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                  sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n
                  Replace c:<\/code> with the letter of the drive where Windows 7 is installed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  Method #2<\/strong><\/p>\n
                    \n
                  1. Restart your computer<\/li>\n
                  2. Press the F8<\/kbd> key several times during booting before the Windows 7 logo appears<\/li>\n
                  3. At the Advanced Options<\/em> screen, select Repair your computer<\/strong>\n
                    If Repair your computer option isn’t available, follow Method #1 above.<\/p>\n
                    <\/li>\n
                  4. Select a keyboard and language<\/li>\n
                  5. Select Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  6. Type the command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                    sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n
                    Replace c:<\/code> with the letter of the drive where Windows 7 is installed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    Run sfc in Windows 8 or 8.1<\/h2>\n
                    To run the sfc in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
                      \n
                    1. Boot into your system<\/li>\n
                    2. Press the <\/span><\/kbd> and C<\/kbd> key to open the Charm Bar<\/li>\n
                    3. Type command prompt<\/code> or cmd<\/code> in the search field<\/li>\n
                    4. From the search results list, right-click on Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
                    5. Select Run as Administrator<\/strong><\/li>\n
                    6. Enter the password<\/li>\n
                    7. When Command Prompt loads, type the sfc command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                      sfc \/scannow<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      You can also run the utility from the Windows installation disc. To do so, follow these steps below.<\/p>\n
                      If you don’t have the installation disc, go to Run sfc in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a>. You can burn EasyRE on any CD, DVD or USBs.<\/p>\n
                        \n
                      1. Insert the disc and restart the computer<\/li>\n
                      2. Press any key to boot from the DVD<\/li>\n
                      3. Choose your keyboard layout, time and language<\/li>\n
                      4. Click Next<\/li>\n
                      5. Click Repair your computer<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      6. Click Troubleshoot<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      7. Click Advanced options<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      8. Click Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      9. Type the command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                        sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        Run sfc in Windows\u00a010<\/h2>\n
                        To run the sfc in Windows 10, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
                          \n
                        1. Boot into your system<\/li>\n
                        2. Press the <\/span><\/kbd> key to open the\u00a0Start Menu<\/li>\n
                        3. Type command prompt<\/code> or cmd<\/code> in the search field<\/li>\n
                        4. From the search results list, right-click on Command Prompt<\/strong>\"cmd\"<\/li>\n
                        5. Select Run as Administrator<\/strong><\/li>\n
                        6. Enter the password<\/li>\n
                        7. When Command Prompt loads, type the sfc command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                          sfc \/scannow<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          You can also run the utility from the Windows installation disc. To do so, follow these steps below.<\/p>\n
                          If you don’t have the installation disc, go to Run sfc in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a>. You can burn EasyRE on any CD, DVD or USBs.<\/p>\n
                            \n
                          1. Insert the disc and restart the computer<\/li>\n
                          2. Press any key to boot from the DVD<\/li>\n
                          3. Choose your keyboard layout, time and language<\/li>\n
                          4. Click Next<\/li>\n
                          5. Click Repair your computer<\/strong>\"Windows<\/li>\n
                          6. Click Troubleshoot<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          7. Click Advanced options<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          8. Click Command Prompt<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          9. Type the command and press Enter<\/kbd>:\n
                            sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=c:\\ \/offwindir=c:\\windows<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            <\/h2>\n
                            Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n
                            sfc isn’t recognized<\/h3>\n
                            If the sfc commands you’re typing in Command Prompt aren’t being recognized, make sure that:<\/p>\n