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Windows 7 - SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker


 

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
Published by Brink
01-09-2009
Default SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

Information
The sfc /scannow command (System File Checker) scans the integrity of all protected Windows 7 system files and replaces incorrect corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible.
RELATED LINKS:

OPTION ONE:
To Run the SFC /SCANNOW Command
1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This may take a little bit to finish.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker-command-1.jpg
3. When the scan is complete, hopefully you will see all is ok like the screenshot below.
NOTE: If not, then you can attempt to run a System Restore using a restore point dated before the bad file occured to fix it. You may need to repeat doing a System Restore until you find a older restore point that may work.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker-finished.jpg
4. When done, close the elevated command prompt.


OPTION TWO:
To See the SFC /SCANNOW Scan Results
Note
When SFC runs, it logs it's actions to the C:\WINDOWS\LOGS\CBS\CBS.LOG. This will show you how to see only the specific SFC entries with the [SR] tags in the CBS.log. This can be helpful to show you what files SFC could not fix automatically if you wanted to try and manually replace them.
1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will place a sfcdetails.txt file on your desktop with the SFC scan details from the CBS.LOG.

Code:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker-command_details.jpg
3. Close the elevated command prompt.

4. Open the sfcdetails.txt file on your desktop to see the SFC scan details in the CBS.LOG.

5. You can safely delete the sfcdetails.txt file afterwards if you like.
That's it,
Shawn

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01-18-2009   #1
shadowminx69


Windows 7 Build 7000
 
 


would it be a bad Idea to make a task to run this each night? not sure if it would be a good Idea or not. Hit me back

My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-18-2009   #2
Romulinx2


Win7 Ultimate x64 on Desktop / Win7 Ultimate x86 on laptop
UK
 
 


Thanks, I forgot about this. I used to use it in early editions of windows. Run it and sorted some errors.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-18-2009   #3
darkassain


Windows 7 Ult x64(x2), HomePrem x32(x4), Server 08 (+VM), 08 R2 (VM) , SuSe 11.2 (VM), XP 32 (VM)
In a ∞ Portal
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by shadowminx69 View Post
would it be a bad Idea to make a task to run this each night? not sure if it would be a good Idea or not. Hit me back
you shouldnt have any problem with it...
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-18-2009   #4
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail
Texas
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Romulinx2 View Post
Thanks, I forgot about this. I used to use it in early editions of windows. Run it and sorted some errors.
You're welcome Romulinx2.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02-07-2009   #5
thunder2008


Windows 7 RC 7100
 
 


Very useful information running the sfc atm, thank you for this thread.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02-07-2009   #6
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail
Texas
 
 


You're welcome Thunder2008.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
03-01-2009   #7
anykey


Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127
sarf west London
 
 


Good to see this again.
Thanks for the reminder.

Didn't you used to put some letters/codes as a suffix, something such as /* or /?. This was to fix things.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
03-01-2009   #8
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail
Texas
 
 


Hello Anykey,

You could type sfc /? in the elevated command prompt for a complete list of sfc commands to use, but sfc /scannow is the best option to scan and repair all protected system files command. No other suffixes that I know of though.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker-sfc_list.jpg
My System SpecsSystem Spec
03-01-2009   #9
anykey


Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127
sarf west London
 
 


Thanks Brink, perhaps I am thinking of the old chkdsk.
I was always taught to do it something like this:

chkdsk /f /r /v /e
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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scannow, sfc, system file checker

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