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sfc

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Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

Scans and verifies the integrity of all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct versions. If this command discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the systemroot\ folder, and then replaces the incorrect file.

Important

You must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group to run this command.

Syntax

sfc [/scannow] [/verifyonly] [/scanfile=<file>] [/verifyfile=<file>] [/offwindir=<offline windows directory> /offbootdir=<offline boot directory> /offlogfile=<log file path>]

Parameters

Parameter Description
/scannow Scans the integrity of all protected system files and repairs files with problems when possible.
/verifyonly Scans the integrity of all protected system files, without performing repairs.
/scanfile <file> Scans the integrity of the specified file (full path and filename) and attempts to repair any problems if they're detected.
/verifyfile <file> Verifies the integrity of the specified file (full path and filename), without performing repairs.
/offwindir <offline windows directory> Specifies the location of the offline windows directory, for offline repair.
/offbootdir <offline boot directory> Specifies the location of the offline boot directory for offline repair.
/offlogfile=<log file path> Specifies a location to store the log file other than the default.
/? Displays help at the command prompt.

Examples

To verify the kernel32.dll file, type:

sfc /verifyfile=c:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll

To set up the offline repair of the kernel32.dll file with an offline boot directory set to D: and an offline windows directory set to D:\Windows, type:

sfc /scanfile=D:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=d:\windows