How to run sfc /scannow command in Windows 11?

Running the sfc /scannow command in Windows 11 is a powerful way to scan for and repair corrupted system files, which can help fix issues like system instability, crashes, or performance problems.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to run sfc /scannow in Windows 11:

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✅ Step-by-Step: How to Run sfc /scannow in Windows 11

🔧 Method 1: Using Command Prompt (Admin)

1. Open Start Menu

• Click the Start button or press the Win key.

1. Search for Command Prompt

• Type “cmd” in the search bar.

1. Run as Administrator

• In the search results, right-click on Command Prompt.
• Select “Run as administrator”.
• If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow changes.

1. Type the Command

• In the Command Prompt window, type:
  sfc /scannow
• Press Enter.

1. Wait for the Scan to Complete

• The System File Checker will now scan all protected system files.
• This process may take 5–15 minutes, depending on your system speed.

1. Check the Results
   After completion, you’ll see one of the following messages:

• “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.”
  → No corrupted files were found.
• “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them.”
  → Corrupted files were found and fixed.
• “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but could not repair some of them.”
  → Some files couldn’t be repaired — you’ll need to use DISM next.

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🛠️ Method 2: Using PowerShell (Admin)

You can also run sfc /scannow via PowerShell:

1. Open Start menu and search for PowerShell.
2. Right-click on Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.
3. Type the same command:

   sfc /scannow

4. Follow the same steps above.

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🔄 What to Do If sfc /scannow Fails to Repair Files

If sfc /scannow reports that it found corrupt files but couldn’t repair them, follow these steps using the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM):

💡 Run DISM Commands After SFC

1. Still in Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin), run the following commands one at a time:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These commands check the health of the Windows image and attempt to repair it using Windows Update.

2. Once DISM completes, run sfc /scannow again to verify if the issue is resolved.

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📝 Notes

• Make sure you’re logged in with an administrator account.
• Your computer should be connected to the internet, especially when running DISM.
• Don’t interrupt the scan — doing so might leave your system in an unstable state.

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🧪 When Should You Use sfc /scannow?

Use sfc /scannow when you experience:

• System crashes or frequent errors
• Slow performance or freezing
• Problems after updates
• Corrupted system apps or features
• Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) related to system file corruption

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✅ Summary Table

Task	Command
Scan system files	sfc /scannow
Check Windows image health	DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Scan for image corruption	DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Repair Windows image	DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

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Let me know if you’d like a downloadable script or batch file to automate this process!