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How to Use sfc /scannow on Windows 10

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The System File Checker tool works the same way on Windows 10 as it does on Windows 11 and remains one of the most reliable first steps for fixing corrupted system files.

Updated August 9, 2026 · PC Utility Hub Editorial Team

Opening an elevated prompt on Windows 10

  1. 1Click Start and type cmd.
  2. 2Right-click Command Prompt in the results.
  3. 3Choose Run as administrator and confirm the UAC prompt.

Running the scan

Type the command and press Enter. Windows 10 will scan all protected system files; progress is shown as a percentage. Do not close the window until it reaches 100%.

sfc /scannow

Understanding the results

MessageMeaning
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violationsNo corruption found
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired themFixed, restart recommended
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of themRun DISM, then SFC again

Escalating with DISM

If SFC can't repair everything, the local repair source (WinSxS) is likely damaged. Repair it with DISM before trying SFC again:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Verify-only mode

To check for corruption without repairing anything, useful for diagnosis or reporting, run:

sfc /verifyonly

Frequently asked questions

Is the tool different on Windows 10 vs 11?
No, sfc /scannow uses the same syntax and behavior on both versions.
How often should I run SFC?
Only when troubleshooting a specific issue such as crashes, update failures, or missing DLL errors — it's not a routine maintenance task.
What if the scan won't complete?
Restart into Safe Mode or WinRE and try again; a stuck scan can indicate deeper disk issues, so also run chkdsk.

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