Does DISM need internet access?

/RestoreHealth uses Windows Update by default, so yes unless you supply a local /Source such as install.wim.

Should I run DISM or SFC first?

Run DISM first if you already know or suspect SFC failed; otherwise SFC alone is often enough for a first attempt.

How long does DISM /RestoreHealth take?

Usually 15-30 minutes, longer if it needs to download files over a slow connection.

Can DISM fix a PC that won't boot?

Yes, using /Image: instead of /Online while booted from recovery media, targeting the offline Windows partition.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

Download DISM

DISM is a built-in Windows command-line tool for servicing the Windows image and component store, most often used to repair the source files that System File Checker depends on.

Updated August 9, 2026 · PC Utility Hub Editorial Team

What DISM is for

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) manages Windows images, both online (the running OS) and offline (a mounted .wim or .vhd file). For everyday repair, its main job is checking and fixing the component store that SFC uses as its source of clean files.

The three health commands

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Command	What it does	Speed
/CheckHealth	Checks if corruption has already been flagged	Seconds
/ScanHealth	Actively scans the component store for corruption	10-15 min
/RestoreHealth	Scans and repairs the component store, downloading replacement files if needed	15-30 min

Using a local source instead of Windows Update

By default /RestoreHealth pulls repair files from Windows Update. If there's no internet access, or Update is broken, point DISM at the install.wim from a Windows ISO or installation media instead.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:D:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess

The :1 selects the image index inside install.wim; use DISM /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\sources\install.wim to list indexes if unsure.

Correct order of operations

1Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth to check the component store.
2If corruption is found, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair it.
3Run sfc /scannow to repair individual system files using the now-healthy component store.
4Restart the PC.
5If problems persist, run chkdsk to rule out disk errors, then consider an in-place repair install via Media Creation Tool.

Getting install media for the /Source option

If you don't have a Windows ISO handy, Microsoft's Media Creation Tool can download one and create bootable USB media, which also contains the install.wim needed for offline DISM repairs.

Get DISM

Start the download and follow the setup steps described on this page.

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Frequently asked questions

Does DISM need internet access?: /RestoreHealth uses Windows Update by default, so yes unless you supply a local /Source such as install.wim.
Should I run DISM or SFC first?: Run DISM first if you already know or suspect SFC failed; otherwise SFC alone is often enough for a first attempt.
How long does DISM /RestoreHealth take?: Usually 15-30 minutes, longer if it needs to download files over a slow connection.
Can DISM fix a PC that won't boot?: Yes, using /Image: instead of /Online while booted from recovery media, targeting the offline Windows partition.