If Windows is acting strange—crashing, freezing, or throwing cryptic errors—you might not need to reinstall. You can often fix the system using built-in tools like SFC and DISM, no downloads required.
What These Tools Do
- SFC (System File Checker) scans for and repairs corrupt or missing system files.
- DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) restores system images and repairs the Windows component store.
- Using both ensures a deeper, layered repair process—especially after malware or bad updates.
Step-by-Step: Run DISM First
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - This may take 10–20 minutes depending on system speed.
- Wait until it finishes with a message: “The restore operation completed successfully.”
Then Run SFC
- Still in Command Prompt, enter:
sfc /scannow - Let it complete the scan. If errors are found, SFC will attempt to fix them automatically.
- If SFC says “found corrupt files and successfully repaired them,” your system is now restored.
When to Use This Method
- Windows features or updates aren’t installing correctly.
- System apps (e.g., Settings, Explorer) crash often.
- You’ve just removed malware and want to repair the damage.
With SFC and DISM, you can repair a corrupted Windows installation without wiping your system. These tools should be part of every advanced user’s troubleshooting routine.