Name

Windows File Checker — \windows\system32\sfc.exe

Synopsis

Verify the existence and integrity of some Windows files.

To Open

Command Prompt → sfc

Usage

sfc [/scannow] [/scanonce] [/scanboot] [/revert]
  [/purgecache] [/cachesize=x]

Description

Windows File Checker scans your system for corrupt, changed, or missing files, as long as those files are specified in a predetermined list of important system files. By default, Windows File Checker automatically scans your system every time Windows is started. Use the Windows File Checker utility to perform a manual scan or change the automatic settings. The Windows File Checker takes the following options:

/scannow

Performs an immediate scan of all protected system files.

/scanonce

Instructs Windows to scan all protected system files the next time Windows is started.

/scanboot

Instructs Windows to scan all protected system files every time Windows is started.

/revert

Returns Windows File Checker settings to their defaults.

/purgecache

Purges the file cache; essentially empties a folder on your hard disk devoted to storing backup copies of protected system files.

/cachesize= x

Sets the amount of hard disk space to allocate to the file cache folder.

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