Fix it yourself · Windows
Windows behaving oddly? Run Microsoft's built-in repair (DISM and SFC)
Two commands from Microsoft that check Windows' own files and repair any that are damaged. Safe — they don't touch your documents — but you'll be typing at a black command window.
Before you start: Only try this if you're comfortable typing exact commands. Nothing here deletes your files; the worst case is that it simply doesn't help.
Steps
- Click Start and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Click Yes.
- Type exactly (note the spaces before each slash) and press Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
This can sit at a percentage for a long time — leave it until it says The operation completed successfully. - Then type and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
Wait for Verification 100% complete. It will say either that it found no problems, or that it repaired some. - Type
exit, press Enter, and restart the computer.
If that didn't work
- If SFC says it found corrupt files but could not fix some, run both commands once more after the restart. If it still can't, that's the point to book.
When to stop and call
The commands error out immediately, Windows won't get far enough to open a command window, or you're not comfortable — there's no shame in that, it's what I'm for.
Book a visit →Ready when you are
Book a visit.
Tell me what's going wrong and when suits — I'll confirm a time, usually the same or next day.