Fixing damaged Windows files

August 3rd, 2007 Paul Wallbank Posted in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows Vista, Windows XP | 2 Comments »

Sometimes you’ll find an important Windows file has been damaged, for instance Internet Explorer will tell you a critical file won’t load.

Windows has built in tool called the System File Checker which will reload system files. SFC has been part of Windows since Windows 98.

To run it, disconnect from the Internet, turn off all programs including virus protection and security programs, insert your original system or Windows CD and then click Run and Start, then type SFC /Scannow. The System File Checker will take up to an hour to run.

At the end of the scan, remove your CD and reboot your computer.


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    2 Responses to “Fixing damaged Windows files”

    1. itqueries.com » Blog Archive » Cannot open Outlook Express Says:
      August 3rd, 2007 at 7:31 am

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    2. IT Queries » Blog Archive » 16 bit window subsystem, the system file is not suitable Says:
      December 5th, 2007 at 10:44 am

      [...] To fix those, try running the System File Checker utility. [...]

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