Repair protected system files with SFC and DISM
When Windows reports corrupt protected system files, run sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt. If SFC cannot repair some files because its local repair source is damaged, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the component store, then run sfc /scannow again. This lab uses the simulated command prompt; a real elevated prompt runs the same commands. This page teaches a job procedure. These are not exam questions, this is not a score predictor, and nothing here is taken from any exam.
Steps
- 1
From the elevated prompt, run sfc /scannow. It finds corrupt protected system files but reports it was unable to fix some of them, so continue to DISM.
- 2
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the component store. It reports the restore operation completed successfully.
- 3
Re-run sfc /scannow. With the component store repaired, SFC reports it found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
What you should see
The first SFC run cannot fix some files, DISM restores the component store, and the final sfc /scannow run reports it found and repaired the protected system files.