SFC - Windows System File Checker - Windows 7 - Vista

The following article explains how to use Windows System File Checker (SFC) in order to repair corrupted or damaged system files. It enables you to use this tool in the following Windows platforms: Windows 7, Vista, and XP.

About SFC
System File Checker (SFC.exe) enables Windows users to check the integrity of the various system files - it automatically replaces any of those files with their correct version if it finds them corrupted, modified, or incorrect.

In order to use the System File Checker, you need to run the sfc /scannow command from your Windows command prompt with administrator rights.

sfc /scannow

Windows 7

(1) Click on Start menu
(2) In the Search programs and files box, type: cmd
(3) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
(4) Once the command prompt opens, type: sfc /scannow and press ENTER

Windows Vista

(1) Click on Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories
(2) Right click on Command Prompt
(3) Select Run as administrator
(4) Once the command prompt opens, type: sfc /scannow and press ENTER

Windows XP

(1) Click on Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories
(2) Right click on Command Prompt
(3) Select Run as…
(4) A popup window opens with:
Which user account do you want to use to run this program?
(5) Select your PC’s admin account
(6) Once the command prompt opens, type: sfc /scannow and press ENTER

SFC - Windows System File Checker - Windows 7 - Vista - XP