Use DISM to fix issues SFC can't
A common suggestion on Windows support forums is to scan the system for file integrity issues using the command sfc /scannow which you may run on the active system but also on external drives.
SFC, which stands for System File Checker, is a built-in administrative tool to verify the integrity of operating system files and to repair files that are corrupt, damaged or changed.
SFC scans have three possible outcomes:
- The scan did not find any issues.
- The scan did find issues and fixed them.
- The scan did find issues and couldn't repair them (Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them).
Note: It is recommended that you do a full backup of the Windows system partition before you run DISM. Use free backup solutions such as Macrium Reflect, Veeam Endpoint Backup, or other backup tools.
Use DISM if SFC /Scannow fails to correct issues
The screenshot displayed above shows a result where SFC was unable to correct corrupt files that it detected.
SFC may also correct issues but it may not resolve the issue that you tried to correct in first place by running it.
DISM comes to the rescue in these situations. Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command line program for Windows that is used for a variety of purposes.It is available in all versions of Windows starting with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008
You need to run DISM from an elevated command prompt:
- Tap on the Windows-key to bring up the start menu.
- Type cmd.exe and wait for the results to populate.
- Right-click on the result named cmd.exe and select "run as administrator" to run it with elevated privileges.
DISM can be run in dry-mode to reveal corruption without attempting to fix issues found. I recommend that you check the health first to find out if corruption exists before you run repair operations.
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
The command checks the image for the corruption flag and returns its findings to you but does not run repair operations.
The scan should not take longer than a second or two. Previous operations may have flagged the image as corrupt.
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
The command scans for component store corruption but does not correct any issues.
The scan takes longer to complete and the findings of the scan are returned in the command prompt window.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The /RestoreHealth parameter runs a scan for corruption and attempts to repair any issues that it finds automatically.
The scan takes longer to complete if corruption is found during the scan of the image. Note that the operation may appear stuck at times but this is no cause for concern as scanning should commence after a moment automatically.
If the scan finds corruption, it attempts to correct the issue using Windows Update by default.
DISM Advanced commands
- To repair an offline image: Dism /Image:C:\offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- To use a different repair source: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:d:\test\mount\windows
- To prevent the use of Windows Update: /LimitAccess as a parameter.
Group Policy
You can specify a different source using the Group Policy.
Do the following for that:
- Tap on the Windows-key to bring up the start menu.
- Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter-key to open the Group Policy Editor. Note that it is only available in professional or Enterprise editions of Windows.
- Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
- Double-click on Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair.
- Set the policy to enabled, and configure it accordingly.
- You need to specify an alternate source, and may block use of Windows Update. Systems configured to use WSUS by default may be configured to use Windows Update instead for repair operations.
Dism using PowerShell
You may use DISM in Windows PowerShell as well. The commands are slightly different.
- CheckHealth: Repair-WindowsImage -CheckHealth
- ScanHealth: Repair-WindowsImage -ScanHealth
- RestoreHealth: Repair-WindowsImage -RestoreHealth
DISM Instructional Video
Related articles
- Analyze and clean the WinSXS folder
- Dism++ Windows optimizer with impressive functionality
- The Winsxs Folder Explained
- Windows Repair 4.0 released: repair Windows software
- Windows Repair Toolbox review
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Thanks a lot for the info ! There is a great app with GUI : Dism++
Although Dism command exists on Windows7 it doesn’t work with those options, maybe someone could explains how to repair on Win7?
Simple, Use DISM++
Yes but DISM++ is limited by the capabilities of the OS. I’ve tried removing superseded components on Windows 8 (the same as you can with Windows 8.1), but it won’t perform tasks that the OS version can’t support.
DISM++ in no more than a CCleaner and can’t perform any of DISM features.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/947821/fix-windows-update-errors-by-using-the-dism-or-system-update-readiness
and
https://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?/topic/4939-how-to-use-windows-7-dism-by-muiz/
Download Windows ADK to get an up-to-date DISM tool:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install
Please note some DISM repair options are not available on older OS (ie Win7), it won’t harm your OS though :)
Thanks for the article Martin. I wondered what DISM was for.
Great article. Sfc is almost useless now days it seems. I will remember to try this mor often.
Martin,
SFC stands for System File Checker not ‘System File Scan’ as per the article description. One point deducted from each reader who never noticed and one from the author :)
I prefer to use:
sfc/ verifyonly
prior to using the scannow switch.
(which notifies the user of errors but, does not correct them, so I can investigate further.)
You are right of course, sorry for that. Fixed it!
Nice to keep things correct to uphold your reputation.
Many thanks for the article :)
Sysnative’s SFCFix is a good alternative, and fixes some things SFC and DISM cannot…
https://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-update/4736-windows-update-forum-posting-instructions.html
Expand Step 4 for the download link.
Hello,
Is it possible to schedule SFC & DISM tasks to be performed on a regular basis as a preventative way? How is ADK compare to SFC/DISM ?
Thank you
i got a problem as error 1117 while dism scan health comand