Question about windows checkdisk

Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123

  1. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #21

    Cerawy said:
    So basically chkdsk fixes the file system, and sfc fixes the system files?

    P.S do i need to type chkdsk /x /r /f to do a complete scan and repair?
    This isn't rocket science. Chkdsk checks and repairs the low level structure and physical integrity of the disk storage format. Windows depends on a huge number of system files for correct operation. Sfc checks that all required system files exist and have the correct version installed on your PC. Sfc attempts to fix any problems with such files.

    I just use chkdsk <volume> /f and sometimes use the /spotfix option for speed.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 1,031
    Thread Starter
       #22

    DeaconFrost said:
    You need to understand that the file system is not the same thing as the system files. A file system is the way any hard drive is formatted, NTFS, FAT32, etc. Chkdsk makes sure the file system is good. That's the foundation. If the file system is corrupt, then your system files that reside on the file system will likely be bad as well. SFC stands for system file checker. That verifies your Windows system files are intact.
    Just a quick question, when you say windows system files, are you refering to the files being used when you install windows?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #23

    No. Windows system files are the files necessary for Windows to operate. They are...Windows. What gets installed on a blank hard drive after you format the drive and choose a file system.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,031
    Thread Starter
       #24

    Well I ran the SFC command and windows found some problems and corrected them. I ran it again and windows didn't find any problems this time. Chkdsk didn't find any problems as well.

    DeaconFrost said:
    No. Windows system files are the files necessary for Windows to operate. They are...Windows. What gets installed on a blank hard drive after you format the drive and choose a file system.
    Got it. SFC is pretty much clarified at this point. Still not entirely sure about chkdsk though.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #25

    I don't know of a way to make it any simpler, unfortunately. As someone else said, it's a very basic concept to computing. The drives have a file system. It's how the drive is aligned, partitioned, etc. Chkdsk checks the file system to make sure it is okay. It isn't checking the actual files, but where the actual files are stored. SFC is checking the actual files. If SFC found errors, that means some of your actual files were missing or corrupt. If chkdsk found no errors, than good, it means your file system itself was good and intact.

    Files get saved to a file system. The file system is the cabinet. The files are the papers and folders you stick in the cabinet.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #26

    In Part 2 of Windows Internals (6th Edition), pp. 487-491 provide a detailed discussion of file structures for FAT and NTFS file systems, and explain the role of chkdsk in checking and reporting on such structures, as well as the kinds of repairs it can attempt. For those who really, really want to understand Windows' inner workings this two-volume set (for the 7th edition so far, only Part 1 is available right now) these books are absolutely essential. I can scan and PM the OP a link to a dropbox or onedrive copy of the corresponding PDF file, if he or she would like ( @Cerawy ).
    --Ed--
    Last edited by EdTittel; 05 Apr 2018 at 11:36.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #27

    Cerawy said:
    Well I ran the SFC command and windows found some problems and corrected them. I ran it again and windows didn't find any problems this time. Chkdsk didn't find any problems as well.



    Got it. SFC is pretty much clarified at this point. Still not entirely sure about chkdsk though.
    I think it's time for you to use Google to educate yourself in some basic Windows concepts.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1,031
    Thread Starter
       #28

    Steve C said:
    I think it's time for you to use Google to educate yourself in some basic Windows concepts.
    I already did google it, but it only made me more confused, thats why i made this thread for clarification.

    I guess the best way to put it is to say that sfc scans the system files and corrects the files if they are corrupt, while chkdsk scans the drive for errors and tries to fix them. Sorry about the confusion, i got them mixed up.
    Last edited by Cerawy; 25 Jun 2019 at 15:43.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,031
    Thread Starter
       #29

    Just out of curiosity, is it good enough to simply just right click on the drive, click properties, click tools and then click on error checking, or is it best to run the chkdsk command with various parameters (still haven't figured out which ones are the best)?
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:29.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums