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How to Fix Corrupted Files in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide
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Working with Windows 10 can be a breeze, but you may encounter occasional issues, such as corrupt files. With corrupt files, you might suddenly face system stability issues and data loss, which can be an incredibly frustrating experience.
Thankfully, you can use tools to fix corrupted files in Windows 10 to get everything back up and running correctly. In this article, we will explain precisely how these tools work so that the next time your files become corrupted on Windows 10, you’ll know how to fix them quickly!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Use Windows built-in tool for fixing corrupted files
Windows 10’s built-in tool, the System File Checker (SFC), can fix corrupted files. It works by scanning your system for any problem files and replacing them with the right versions straight out of the Windows installation. All you need to do is enter a few simple commands, and SFC will take care of the rest, ensuring your system runs smoothly again in no time! Plus, you don’t even need additional software to use it – it’s all part of your Windows 10 package. So if you ever run into file corruption issues, make sure you give SFC a try!
- Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”
- In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and hit Enter
- Wait for the process to complete (it may take a while), and then restart your computer
Step 2: Use the DISM tool to repair the Windows system image
If the SFC tool fails to fix the corrupted files, you can use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. This tool can repair the Windows system image, which may be the root cause of the issue. Here’s how to use it:
- Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”
- In the Command Prompt window, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and hit Enter
- Wait for the process to complete (it may take a while), and then restart your computer
Step 3: Use a third-party file repair tool
If both the methods mentioned above don’t help you fix a corrupted file, there is another option you can use – third-party file repair tools. These are tailored specifically for repairing damaged files and can be successful most of the time. However, these tools usually come at a cost, and the outcome cannot always be guaranteed. Some popular file repair tools for anyone looking to try this solution include Stellar Repair for Photo, DiskInternals Uneraser, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and more. All these software solutions are available for download on their respective websites, so take your pick and see if it works for you:
Step 4: Reinstall Windows 10
If you’ve tried all the suggestions above and your issue remains unsolved, you may need to reinstall Windows 10. This process will wipe everything from your computer, so it’s important to back up any important data and applications before starting. If you don’t have an automatic backup system in place already, take some time to create a backup specifically predetermined for this reinstallation.
Once you have a good backup of everything, research how to properly reinstall Windows 10 or even find someone who will walk you through the process step-by-step. Plenty of valuable online tutorials go into detail about how the process works, making it easy and straightforward. And if those options don’t feel comfortable, many repair shops can offer professional help getting your computer up and running again.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
- Under “Reset this PC,” select “Get started”
- Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything” and follow the instructions on-screen.
Conclusion
Accidentally corrupting files can be very frustrating, but thankfully Windows 10 comes with various tools to help you get your system back up and running. By using either the SFC or DISM tool, third-party file repair programs, or reinstalling Windows 10, you should have your system restored in no time. In this article, we’ve gone over all the steps to fix corrupted files.
Remember that keeping a backup of your most important data is always a smart choice; that way, if any files become corrupted, you won’t have to worry about losing irreplaceable information. If you have any questions or suggestions on how to fix corrupted files in Windows 10, please leave us a comment—we’d love to hear your feedback!
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