| | Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find support and solutions for any problems regarding your Windows 7 PC be it Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. We also provide an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks. | 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
09 Jan 2009
| 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/modified, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible.  Tip If you get the Windows Resource Protection Could Not Start the Repair Service error when trying to run SFC, then make sure that the Windows Modules Installer service is enabled and set to Manual. Services - Start or Disable  Warning Be aware that if you have modified your system files as in theming explorer/system files, running sfc /scannow will revert the system files such as explorer.exe back to it's default state. Make the appropriate backups of your system files that you have modified for theming if you wish to save them before running sfc /scannow.  OPTION ONE 
To Run the SFC /SCANNOW Command at Boot
1. For how, see METHOD TWO at this link: SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot  Note Using OPTION TWO below is recommended if able.
If you would like to get help with your SFC issue, then be sure to upload and attach your sfcdetails.txt file from OPTION THREE below in your post.  OPTION TWO 
To Run the SFC /SCANNOW Command in Windows 7
1. Open an "elevated command prompt" (right click -> Run as administrator), and do step 2 or 3 below for what type of scan you would like to run. 2. To Scan and Repair System Files NOTE: Scans the integrity of all protected system files and repairs the system files if needed. Please see red WARNING box at the top of this tutorial.A) In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /scannow, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below) NOTE: This may take a little bit to finish. 3. To Only Verify if the System Files are Corrupted NOTE: Scans and only verifies the integrity of all proteced system files only. This command will not change your system files as in the red WARNING box at the top of this tutorial.A) In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /verifyonly, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. 4. When the scan is complete, hopefully you will see all is ok like the screenshot below.  Note - If SFC could not fix something, then run the command again to see if it may be able to the next time. Sometimes it may take running the sfc /scannow command 3 or more times to completely fix everything that it's able to.
- If not, then download and run the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) System Update Readiness Tool for your same installed 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, restart the PC afterwards, and try the sfc /scannow command again.
- If still not, then try using OPTION ONE above to run the sfc /scannow command at boot.
- If still 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.
- If still not, then you can use the steps in the TIP box in the OPTION THREE section below to manually replace the files that SFC could not fix if there are not to many fix.
- If there are to many files to manually fix, or you prefer not to use OPTION THREE below, then you could do a repair install without losing anything.
If you would like to get help with your SFC issue, then be sure to upload and attach your sfcdetails.txt file from OPTION THREE below in your post. 5. When done, close the elevated command prompt.  OPTION THREE 
How to See and Read Only the "SFC" Scan Results from the CBS.LOG
 Note When SFC runs, it logs it's actions into the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. The steps in this option will show you how to see only the specific SFC entries with the [SR] tags in this 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 an "elevated command prompt" (right click -> Run as administrator). 2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will place a sfcdetails.txt file on your desktop with only the SFC scan result details from the CBS.LOG in it. Code: findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt"  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 |  Published by | | | | | | | | | |
18 Jan 2009
|
#1 | | |
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 Specs | | |
18 Jan 2009
|
#2 | | Win7 Ultimate x64 on Desktop / Win7 Ultimate x86 on laptop / Win7 x86 Starter on Netbook |
Thanks, I forgot about this. I used to use it in early editions of windows. Run it and sorted some errors. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Dilithium Computers/Engineering (Myself) Star date 42.739285.5432.9 OS Win7 Ultimate x64 on Desktop / Win7 Ultimate x86 on laptop / Win7 x86 Starter on Netbook CPU AMD Phenom 965 X4 3.4Ghz cpu Black Edition Motherboard Gigabyte 790XT Memory 12 Gb DDR3 Graphics Card Nvidea Gforce GTX 470 Sound Card Onboard Realtek hi-fi Monitor(s) Displays Lg 3D led 23" Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech wireless K350 Mouse Inferno gaming mouse PSU OCZ 700W GameXstream Case Artec 10000 Cooling On board + many case fans Hard Drives Loads maxstore sata 1 & 2/ loads of partitions + 1Tb Hitachi sata 2. 256Gb Crucial ssd. Internet Speed Talk talk. 10Mb Other Info My PC was hand built with matchsticks. xbox 360 controller. Printers,fax......... |
18 Jan 2009
|
#3 | | Windows 7 Ult x64(x2), HomePrem x32(x4), Server 08 (+VM), 08 R2 (VM) , SuSe 11.2 (VM), XP 32 (VM) |

Quote: Originally Posted by shadowminx69 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 Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Tx2500z Tablet Pc/Homemade Server OS Windows 7 Ult x64(x2), HomePrem x32(x4), Server 08 (+VM), 08 R2 (VM) , SuSe 11.2 (VM), XP 32 (VM) CPU Turion X2 ultra (oh well came with laptop)/P4 @3.2 (yes P4) Motherboard IDK HP Motherboard / Intel DG965SS Memory OCZ Dual Channel 4GB kit/ 1gb Dual Channel Graphics Card HD 3200 graphics /GMA x3100 (yay for intergrated!!) Sound Card Realtek HD Audio(mic working, well sort of)/Siig IC-70012 Monitor(s) Displays built-in Hp 12" laptop screen/ Acer 19" Screen Resolution 1280x800 /1440x900 Mouse Logi MX Rev. /MS Wheel Optical 1.1A /Logitech Optical Mouse Cooling All Air Cooled Internet Speed College baby but its still routed through vpn to 1536k... Other Info love my wacom pen and pressure sensitivity...
wished it worked in 7, SUSE for that matter though |
18 Jan 2009
|
#4 | | 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise |

Quote: Originally Posted by Romulinx2 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 Specs | | Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise CPU Intel i7-3930K 3.2 Ghz (O/C 4 Ghz) Motherboard ASRock X79 Extreme11 Memory 32 GB (4x8GB) G.SKILL DDR3 Quad PC3-19200 2400MHz Graphics Card MSI N760 TF 4GB5/OC GTX 760 4GB Sound Card SB Recon 3Di Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3 x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition Cooling Corsair Hydro H100 Hard Drives 256GB OCZ Vector
2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 117 Mb/s Download and 6 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
* Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
* Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
* Netgear WNDR3800 Router
* Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
* 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
07 Feb 2009
|
#5 | | |
Very useful information running the sfc atm, thank you for this thread. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self-Build OS Windows 7 RC 7100 CPU Intel c2q6600 oc'd @4239Mhz 1.68v w/mod'd VapoChill LS Motherboard Asus Rampage Extreme Memory 2gb Ocz Flex II DDR3 2000 8-8-8-24 2.2v Graphics Card 2x Asus 3870x2 Tops in quad xfire Sound Card Asus SupremeFX X-FI Monitor(s) Displays 1-HP 2408 24'' LCD & 1-Viewsonic VG2230wm 22'' LCD Screen Resolution 1920x1200 & 1600x1200 Keyboard Logitech Di Novo Edge Keyboard & Optimus Mini 3 Keyboard Mouse Saitek Obsidian mouse & 3D Connexion Space Pilot 3D mouse PSU 1x Apevia 680watt & 1x Logisys 550watt Case 2x Custom Plexiglass cases 1-PC & 1- LS Phase Change Cooling Aqua Computer 360xt single loop north/south & Flex II DDR3 Hard Drives 2x WD Caviar 160gb in Raid0
1x 1TB backup
Opticals:
Sony optical drive
Samsung optical drive Internet Speed not worth mentioning Other Info Upek Fingerprint reader
Plantronic 590 Bluetooth headset
HP 7550 Photo Printer
HP 4670 See-Thru Scanner
NextEngine 3D Scanner
Enzotech north, south and mosfet blocks, 4xDanger Den Maze-5 vga blocks, //UPGRADES COMING SOON//
Koolance liquid-cooled psu, i7 975, Rampage II Extreme |
07 Feb 2009
|
#6 | | 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise |
You're welcome Thunder2008. | My System Specs | | Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise CPU Intel i7-3930K 3.2 Ghz (O/C 4 Ghz) Motherboard ASRock X79 Extreme11 Memory 32 GB (4x8GB) G.SKILL DDR3 Quad PC3-19200 2400MHz Graphics Card MSI N760 TF 4GB5/OC GTX 760 4GB Sound Card SB Recon 3Di Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3 x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition Cooling Corsair Hydro H100 Hard Drives 256GB OCZ Vector
2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 117 Mb/s Download and 6 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
* Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
* Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
* Netgear WNDR3800 Router
* Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
* 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
01 Mar 2009
|
#7 | | Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127 |
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 Specs | | OS Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127 |
01 Mar 2009
|
#8 | | 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise |
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.
| My System Specs | | Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise CPU Intel i7-3930K 3.2 Ghz (O/C 4 Ghz) Motherboard ASRock X79 Extreme11 Memory 32 GB (4x8GB) G.SKILL DDR3 Quad PC3-19200 2400MHz Graphics Card MSI N760 TF 4GB5/OC GTX 760 4GB Sound Card SB Recon 3Di Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3 x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition Cooling Corsair Hydro H100 Hard Drives 256GB OCZ Vector
2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 117 Mb/s Download and 6 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
* Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
* Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
* Netgear WNDR3800 Router
* Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
* 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
01 Mar 2009
|
#9 | | Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127 |
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 Specs | | OS Dual boot XP Pro and Seven/7127 SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker | |