Test windows integrity

To test the integrity of your Windows system, you can use built-in tools like the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM). These tools help identify and repair corrupted or missing system files.

Using System File Checker (SFC)

1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the SFC Scan:

   sfc /scannow

   The scan may take some time to complete. If SFC finds any corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them automatically.

Using Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM)

If the SFC tool finds issues but cannot fix them, you can use the DISM tool to repair the system image.

1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the DISM Scan:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

   This process can take a while. DISM will check the health of your Windows image and download necessary files from Windows Update to repair any issues.

3. Run SFC Again:

   sfc /scannow

   After the DISM command completes, run the SFC scan again to ensure all issues are fixed.

Additional Steps

• Check for Malware: Use a reliable antivirus program to scan for malware, as infections can sometimes corrupt system files.
• Windows Update: Ensure your Windows operating system is up-to-date by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Interpreting Results

SFC Results

• No integrity violations: Your system files are intact.
• Found corrupt files and repaired them: SFC found issues and fixed them.
• Found corrupt files but couldn't fix some of them: Use DISM to fix the image, then run SFC again.

DISM Results

• Operation completed successfully: The Windows image is healthy.
• Error messages: Research the specific error code or message for further troubleshooting steps.

These tools are essential for maintaining system stability and integrity, ensuring your Windows operating system runs smoothly.