System Files - SFC Command

**Brink**

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

Information

System File Checker (SFC) checks that all Vista system files are where they should be and that they are uncorrupted 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 Installation. See related links below for how.

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 SFC specific entries by searching for the [SR] tags in the log.

A) For how, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB928228, then type sfcdetails.txt in the same elevated command prompt and press Enter to be able to read the log file.

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

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

NOTE

If sfc cannot start or finish, then try running it Safe Mode. For how, see: How to Start Vista in Safe Mode

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type cmd (See screenshot below)
3. Right click cmd (at top) and click Run as administrator.
NOTE: This opens a elevated command prompt.

cmd_Start_Menu.jpg

4. Click Continue button for UAC prompt.
5. In the command prompt, type what you want to do in bold below in A to E.
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

6. Press Enter.
NOTE: It may take a while to finish.

7. Close command prompt when it finishes.

That's it,
Shawn

peter.bedford · 11-02-2007

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

**Brink** · 11-02-2007

Your welcome Peter,

Welcome to the forum.

Glad it solved your problem.

Shawn

hypno · 12-29-2007

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

**Brink** · 12-29-2007

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

JohnLug · 12-30-2007

	Quote:	brink
	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)

**Brink** · 12-30-2007

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

JohnLug · 12-30-2007

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.

**Brink** · 12-30-2007

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

JohnLug · 12-30-2007

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

11-02-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,545 Location: Texas, USA	Re: System Files Your welcome Peter, Welcome to the forum. Glad it solved your problem. Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

12-29-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,545 Location: 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
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

12-30-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,545 Location: 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
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

12-30-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,545 Location: 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
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

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11-02-2007
peter.bedford Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Vista Home Premium 64bit Posts: 2	Re: System Files brink just to say thanks ,this solved a problem i had for a long while. ta, peter

12-29-2007
hypno Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 vista home premium x64 Posts: 6	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

12-30-2007
JohnLug Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Vista Ultimate 32b Posts: 4 Location: 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.

12-30-2007
JohnLug Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Vista Ultimate 32b Posts: 4 Location: 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?