Repair Windows 10 using DISM and SFC

If some Windows functions aren't working, Windows is crashing or there are unexplained performance issues, the cause may be that the core system files are corrupted. The Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) tool along with System File Checker (SFC) are 2 tools that can be used to scan Windows and repair the operating system.The first and most crucial step is to check the hard drive to make sure it is not failing. If the drive is failing, running DISM and SFC are not going to help. Open an administrative command prompt and run chkdsk c: /r /f. Sometimes SFC does not work as the System Image that is used to repair Windows is corrupt so how do we repair that?

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[Yello]

Thank you SO much, Steve, for your tutorial which, by following your instructions precisely, I resolved my 0x800f081f error. Prior to see your posting, I have seen other posters, but none of them mentioned the fact that now the Windows ISO downloaded from the Windows Creation tool, has "install.esd" instead of "install.wim" in the sources folder. The other thing I learnt is BEFORE any forward slash you need a space but when there is a back slash no space should be used. Thanks again!!

[PicDeGall]

Every time I put either scan health or restore health it says error and then a number

[mb]

Really helpful video. I'm on Windows 11 and my task manager was super slow and it was freezing but this video helped fix it.

[ligakrysu]

If you guys have 'the source files could not be found' problem, then you have to choose the other option in media creation tool. Instead of "create installation media" choose "Upgrade this PC now". After that DISM and everything works again (you don't even need the source for DISM anymore).

[volturi]

Hello Steven Staves, So we have done everything as in the video but every time we enter the DISM command even after we installed the Windows tool and entered the new DISM command the Pc is saying that there are incorrectly formatted files in c:windows\Logs\DISM\dism.logs and the DISM command ends at 54. 7%. The sfc command also ends after 94% and the Pc is saying that the Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.

[miguelnoname]

When I tried what you mentioned I get that 'the source files could not be found'. I am using the command you recommended with the install.esd and I get error 0x800f081f.

[orionzang]

Thanks Steve for this helpful tutorial. However, it seem like that the online option of DISM is not available in Windows Recovery Environment. How can I execute this command knowing that my windows 10 can not boot, not even in safe mode?

[wafflemaine]

Hey Steve, my computer is still having crashing issues after doing all of the recommended steps to repair the files. At first there were corrupted files that I repaired and I did extra scans to make sure there were none left. It worked well for half a day and then the problems came back. I did a fresh install of gpu drivers and made sure my cpu and gpu weren’t over heating to see if that was the problem. I have a bad feeling the hard drive could be the culprit but I am uncertain if it really is since I did a health scan on the hard drive itself. Are there any other possible tests I could run ?

[ramlist]

when i kick of DISM to access the ISO it started then i get: The source files could not be found. Use the "Source" option to specify the location of the i mount the ISO like how u showed i looked at log file errors started to happen on " DISM Package manager PID = 16524 TID = 9392...." Any hints wat i can do pls?

[DcComplete]

My monitor turns off eventually. Hours after the 15 minute power supply. While off, the power flashes yellow to green. It just started this. Is it software or something else?

[ralphhudson]

Excellent video. It is the best that I have seen on this subject. Thanks

[atrothe]

Still it says Source files could not be found.