Vista - System Files - SFC Command

   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

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:

• Microsoft Help and Support: KB929833
• Access Vista Install DVD Files
• Extract Files from Vista Installation DVD

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.)

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.

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)

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.