Vista: Run System File Checker
Contributed by mistywindow 
Tagged: Microsoft Vista System File Checker checks that all Windows files are where they should be and that they’re uncorrupted. If you’ve done all your virus and spyware checking, error checking and defragging, and Windows is still doing strange things, then SFC can avoid a reinstall.
1. Open a Command Window in Administrator mode:
* click Start
* click All Programs, then Accessories
* right click on the Command Prompt option,
* on the drop down menu which appears, click on the Run as Administrator option.
* If you haven’t disabled User Account Control (and you shouldn’t!) you will be asked for authorisation. Click the Continue button if you are the administrator or insert the administrator password.
2. Start the System File Checker
* In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow,
* press Enter.
* You’ll see “the system scan will begin”.
The scan may take some time and windows will repair/replace any corrupt or missing files. You will be asked to insert your Vista DVD if it’s needed.
Close the Command Prompt Window when the job is finished.
One caveat: you need a Windows CD or DVD to enable SFC to make repairs. Don’t get suckered into buying any Windows computer with a Recovery or Restoration disc.
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Ahmed Eltawil said on November 12, 2008
I remember XP used to perform a system file check during a reboot as well (to schedule a file scan before Windows boots up). Is there a way to do that with Vista?
sparky said on November 28, 2008
Love this thanks alot im a very tech savy guy but i wasnt sure if vista had kept this lovely feature and now i know and didnt have to open command prompt lol (lazy i know)
joy said on January 14, 2009
when try to run sfc /scannow it says windows resource potection could not start the repair service. Wat can i do
xrays said on February 23, 2009
Thanx for help
xrays said on February 23, 2009
Joy … make a mug of tea and relax … then try the same way above and don’t forget to RUN IT AS ADMINISTRATOR :))))
Jean said on March 9, 2009
What if I only have recovery disks – HP doesn’t provide Windows CDs – you make your own recovery disks? Should I still run system file checker?
Exelle said on April 25, 2009
when all else fails :D
(running vista32 home premium on a vaio laptop)
sorry to say, I was careless and got a virus. a nasty one – couldn’t open my task manager, not even in safe mode. when I tried opening it (in several various ways), all I got was a dead icon of the task manager in the taskbar, next to the watch. and by dead, I mean it didn’t even show the CPU usage like it did.
so: I tried bitdefender – found my computer to be clean. I tried also stinger from mcafee – cute little fellow, said the same thing about my computer. I then tried malwarebytes – same result.
I tried booting into safe mode… there, nothing worked, just about anything I tried led to my PC to stall indefinitely.
after all this, I ran from link to link into this one. ran the “sfc /scannow” command in safe mode and after restarting, my computer was noticeably faster than before :) but the task manager still didn’t run.
the last thing I did after this was a system restore to a point earlier in the day. this definitely solved my problem, and now I’m running “sfc /scannow” to speed up my pc again :)
passerby said on June 12, 2009
In the end it says:
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windirLogsCBSCBS.Log….
Didn’t ask for any windows cd/dvd.
What should the next step be?
Andy said on June 14, 2009
- Thank you very much.
Andy said on June 14, 2009
- passerby – copy everything to DVD and reinstall the OS – shouldn’t take longer than few hours – and nothing’s better than a fresh OS…
Brent said on June 23, 2009
My computer came with Vista, how can I put the CD or DVD in if it asks?
Anonymous said on August 19, 2009
When i done the following scan
System File Checker
by command promt sfc scannow
It 100 % complet
It Reply
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations!
Joanna said on October 23, 2009
what if you’ve done this and got ‘Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity issues’?
sandy said on February 24, 2010
hi i have the same problem and dont no much about computers r u able to help me what did u do to fix urs
sandy said on February 24, 2010
passerby
Anonymous said on February 27, 2010
Scan went to 4% and then I received the following message.
“Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requsted operation”
Please help.
Thank you.
Anonymous said on April 2, 2010
did you ever get an answerer??
Anonymous said on April 8, 2010
I have done this but get the error message:
“The pipe state is invalid”
nikita said on June 3, 2010
Me have sshnas21.dll eror what to do?
Saurabhsameer said on June 30, 2010
thanku so much………………………………………………………………
crzybkr said on July 11, 2010
when i run sfc/scannow i get to 82% and get the msg windows resource protectio could not perform the requested operation. my system was running fine until i installed vista sp2. now the shadowcopy/restore is not operating, and will not switch on. also my skype freezes up the pc when i start it up. i have uninstalled and reinstalled and updated it several times.
crzybkr said on August 24, 2010
well i had to a complete reinstall of the system to fix my error. seems to work fine now
umar said on September 5, 2010
the only problem is, is that i dont have a vista CD if it asks for one
Bebe3254 said on October 29, 2010
I couldn’t run the sfc /scannow because it kept saying parameters incorrect. In fact I couldn’t run any downloaded exe file without getting that same message. So I took a chance and disable user account control and I did my first sfc scan. Now I will be able to fix my computer. Thank you for the info on sfc
Cherish.jcs said on November 22, 2010
i ran it and it said it found corrupt files but couldn’t fix some of them.. what do i do now? help pls
Pascal said on November 26, 2010
Anybody know how to fix this:
Itunes was not installed correctly. Please reinstall iTunes. Error 7 (Windows error 193)
and after x reinstal and sfc /scannow still have this problem .-(
Kyrizzman1 said on December 20, 2010
Vista is the issue, has many issues that do not exist in other MS OS. Sorry as sorry can be that I went for it. Vista Home Premium
stimpy-bluenose said on January 7, 2011
I’m so disappointed with Vista Home Premium. I’m running the 64 bit. I’ve had problems with Windows Installer and I can’t open my word documents, iTunes, and a number of other programs. Apparently Windows Installer has corrupted. I’ve tried asking Microsoft for help but all I get told is reinstall Vista from a CD or DVD. Trouble is, my HP desktop PC came preloaded and I am getting nowhere fast with both HP and Microsoft, just instructions to buy or borrow a either a Windows Vista Disc or from a recovery disc. I’ve seen quite a few problems like mine posted in various forums, one of them had a very sarky answer from someone who said he is a a microsoft engineer saying it wasn’t his fault if the person with the problem couldn’t borrow a Windows Vista CD!! Way to go Microsoft!! Customer service obviously is a high priority with you.
stimpy-bluenose said on January 7, 2011
Me too, I really had no idea about the preloaded programme business, I did not expect to have to buy Vista twice, I regret buying it once!
Andy932 said on February 7, 2011
Ditto
Rich said on February 12, 2011
Stimpy,
Don’t get upset at Microsoft, just hit the F11 key when your computer is booting. You will access a very nice recovery program that HP has put on your system. They have a non-destructive recovery option that will reinstall all your system files but won’t delete any of your data. All you will need to do is reinstall any programs you have put on since you got the computer.
Www Thani said on April 6, 2011
When i done the following scan
it come like
System File Checker
by command promt sfc scannow
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:Windowssystem32>sfc/scannow
Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.
Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of th
em.
Details are included in the CBS.Log windirLogsCBSCBS.log. For example
C:WindowsLogsCBSCBS.log
C:Windowssystem32>
what should i do …..
astrid said on August 29, 2011
@ www Thani, I have the same problem.
Anyone who can help me with this????
beerslayer said on November 26, 2011
What I want to know, before trying any of this, is whether the ’sfc /scannow’ command can be UNdone by running a System Restore. My 64-bit Vista OS is a house of cards right now and I’m terrified of making it worse. I’d like to see if this command could help stabilize it a bit but I want to be sure I can undo whatever it does if it makes things worse.
mistywindow said on November 26, 2011
@ beerslayer,
It’s highly unlikely to make things worse. It’s very likely to improve things. System Restore is a last ditch resort which is great if it works. In my experience the more dire the need the less likely it is to work.
I avoid all these problems by using imagaing software.
mistywindow said on November 26, 2011
@ thani and astrid
It often helps to run SFC from Safe Mode.
:)