Windows Vista Forums
Vista Forums Home Join Vista Forums Windows 7 help and support Forum Vista Tutorials Tags
Welcome to Windows Vista Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows Vista. The Vista forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Windows Vista tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.


Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials

RB

Vista - System Files - SFC Command

Comment
 

System Files - SFC Command

How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker
Published by Brink
05-30-2007

How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker

information   Information
System File Checker (SFC) checks that all Vista system files are where they should be as they were by default and not corrupted, changed, or damaged. This will show you how to verify and repair the integrity of Vista system files with the System File Checker (SFC) command codes.
Tip   Tip
If SFC Cannot Finish or Repair a File:
NOTE: This is for when after you run the SFC scan below, it cannot finish or repair a file. There is no guarantee that SFC can repair the system files if they are corrupted or damaged to much. If SFC still cannot repair them after this, then you might try running Check Disk (chkdsk), System Restore, a Repair Installation, or a clean reinstall of Vista.

1. How to Read the CBS.LOG
NOTE: When SFC runs, it logs it's actions to the C:\WINDOWS\LOGS\CBS\CBS.LOG. You can find the specific SFC entries by searching for the [SR] tags in the log.

A) For how,to see only the SFC scan details in the CBS.LOG:
  • Open a elevated command prompt.
  • Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt and press Enter.
    Code:
    findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt
    
  • Close the elevated command prompt.
  • Click on the sfcdetails.txt file that was just placed on your desktop to see the SFC scan details (ones with the [SR] tags) in the CBS.LOG.
  • You can safely delete the sfcdetails.txt file afterwards if you like.
2. Replace the Files that SFC Cannot Fix
NOTE: If SFC cannot fix a file, it will be listed in the CBS.LOG above. Read the CBS.LOG to find out what file it is so you can replace it with a good copy.

A) For how, see:




Here's How:

NOTE: If sfc cannot start or finish, then try running it Safe Mode.
1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command that you want to do in bold below in steps A to E to run System File Check.
A) sfc /scannow - Scans the integrity of all protected system files and repairs the system files if needed. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Restores Vista's original setup of system files. (EX: Fonts, wallpapers, System32 files, etc.)
scannow.jpg
B) sfc /verifyonly - Scans and only verifies the integrity of all proteced system files only. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If it finds anything like in the screenshot below boxed in red at the bottom, you should run step A to see if it can fix it. See how to read the CBS log above for details on the SFC scan results.
verifyonly.jpg
C) sfc /scanfile=(full path of file) - Scans the integrity of the chosen system file and repairs it if needed.
EX: sfc /scanfile=C:\Windows\System32\kernal32.dll

D) sfc /verifyfile=(full path of file) - Scans and only verifies the integrity of the chosen system file.
EX: sfc /verifyfile=C:\Windows\System32\kernal32.dll

E) sfc /? - For a list of all sfc command codes with description. (see screenshot below)
sfc_help.jpg
3. Press Enter.
NOTE: It may take a while to finish.

4. Close the elevated command prompt when it finishes.

5. If you got a message to restart the computer in the command prompt, then restart the computer to finish the repair.
That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials


Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 27,583
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

11-02-2007  
peter.bedford


Vista Home Premium 64bit
 
 

Re: System Files

brink just to say thanks ,this solved a problem i had for a long while. ta, peter

My System SpecsSystem Spec
11-02-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: System Files

Your welcome Peter,

Welcome to the forum.

Glad it solved your problem.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-29-2007  
hypno


vista home premium x64
 
 

Re: System Files

i followed your guide as i keep getting all kinds of alerts telling me that processes are shutting down. I did the scannow and the result said that there were errors but these could not be fixed. the results were saved in the log files.

So i at least now know there are errors but still can't fix them. Does this now mean i need to do a repair install?

Many Thanks

Sean
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-29-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: System Files

Hi Sean (hypno),

Yes.

A repair install would be alot easier that digging through the CBS.log file and then manually reinstalling each corrupted file one by one though.

Have a great New Years,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-30-2007  
JohnLug


Vista Ultimate 32b
Alberta
 
 

Re: System Files

Quote: Originally Posted by brink View Post
Hi Sean (hypno),

Yes.

A repair install would be alot easier that digging through the CBS.log file and then manually reinstalling each corrupted file one by one though.

Have a great New Years,
Shawn

Quick question, same problem here.
But before I go off and do something that might make me hang myself

Doing a repair install, does it keep all my present settings?
I won't lose anything? (Hope that's the case)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-30-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: System Files

Hi JohnLug,

You will need to backup your email messages and settings, but you should always backup anything you do not want to lose just in case something goes wrong.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-30-2007  
JohnLug


Vista Ultimate 32b
Alberta
 
 

Re: System Files

Dang, was hoping it would be a quick, easy thing.

Oh well, I'll have my new HD in a week or so and before doing anything, I'll backup everything.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-30-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: System Files

JohnLug,

For me all I lost was my Windows Mail stuff. It was no big deal for me, but I would feel bad if something went wrong with the install and you lost everything.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-30-2007  
JohnLug


Vista Ultimate 32b
Alberta
 
 

Re: System Files

Is Windows Mail the same as Outlook?
By that I mean would Outlook lose it's settings or just Windows Mail?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

Tutorial Tools


Similar Threads for: System Files - SFC Command
Tutorial Category
command for system restore General Discussion
Command Prompt System error 5 General Discussion
What is the command line command for unzipping files? Vista General
execute command on remote system PowerShell
Wrap command shell in System.Diagnostics.Process PowerShell


Vista Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51