Computer and Software Support


System File Checker (SFC) 

 

Windows Vista

Scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files 

Below is information on the different options of SFC. For directions on using a particular option, click on the hyperlink

  1. /scannow - Scans all protected system files immediately.

  2. /scanonce - Scans all protected system files once.

  3. /scanboot - Scans all protected system files every time the computer is restarted.

  4. /revert - Returns the scan to its default operation

  5. /purgecache - Purges the Windows File Protection file cache and scan all protected system files immediately.

  6. /cachesize=x -Set the size, in MB, of the windows file protection file cache.

  7. /? - Displays help as the command prompt.

 

NOTES:

  • You must be logged on as member of the Administrators group to run sfc.

  • If sfc discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from %systemroot%system32\dllcache folder, and then replaces the incorrect file.

  • If the %systemroot%\system32\dllcache folder becomes corrupt or unusable, use sfc /scannow, sfc /scanonce, or sfc /scanboot to repair the contents of the Dllcache directory.