DISM and SFC

All commands require an admin CMD or Powershell

Note: DISM should be used to repair the OS files before using SFC to repair the OS.

Table of Contents

• Using DISM without a source
• Using SFC
• Using DISM with a source WIM (from an ISO)
  • Using Indices

Using DISM without a source

DISM is a higher level command compared to SFC that aims to do more than just to fix broken system files, instead fixing the OS image.

1. In CMD or Powershell run:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The DISM commands below check if the OS image is broken, but do not attempt to fix it.

1. Basic issues

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

2. Deeper issues

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

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Using SFC

SFC is a basic command to check and repair minor OS corruption.

In CMD or Powershell run:

sfc /scannow

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Using DISM with a source WIM (from an ISO)

DISM normally uses an Online source to repair your system, sometimes this leads to errors. You can use a Windows 10 ISO to get a ‘clean’ source locally. Download the ISO using the Windows media creation tool

Double click the downloaded ISO to mount it and note its drive letter in ‘This PC’

In CMD or Powershell run:

1. Repair issues with your local source

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:F:\Sources\install.wim

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Using Indices

For Windows server you may need to look into using a specific index of the WIM

1. Check a WIM’s indices
   • Powershell: Get-WindowsImage -ImagePath F:\sources\install.wim
   • CMD: dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:F:\sources\install.wim

2. Use the index to run a repair against your specific OS type

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:F:\Sources\install.wim:1

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