How to Run SFC OFFLINE (System File Checker tool)
One of the most useful tools that Windows contain is the System File Checker (SFC) tool, that gives you the ability to check and repair file system files. To run the SFC tool from Windows, you have to open an elevated command and then to type this command: sfc /scannow
The SFC command can run from Windows environment in Normal or in Safe Mode, but some times there is the need to run the SFC command offline, if Windows cannot boot normally or in safe mode. In this case(s), you can boot your system from a Windows Installation Media (DVD or USB) and run the SCF command offline.
In this tutorial you 'll learn how to scan and repair system files by using the System File Checker (SFC) tool, if Windows cannot start. (Windows 10 & Windows 8).
How to run the SFC /SCANNOW command if your system cannot boot to Windows (Offline).
Requirements: In order to run the sfc/scannow in a non bootable Windows system, you need to boot your system from a Windows Installation Media (USB or DVD), according to your Windows OS Version and Edition (e.g. 64 or 32 bit). If you don't have a Windows installation media, then you can create one directly from Microsoft.
1. Boot your computer from the Windows Installation Media.
2. At Language options screen, click Next.
3. Select Repair your computer.
4. Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
5. Type BCDEDIT and press Enter.
6. Locate in which drive letter Windows are installed. *
* e.g. As you can see in the screenshot below Windows are installed in drive letter D:
7. At the command prompt window, type the following command to scan and repair system files. *
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=<Windows_Drive_Letter>:\ /offwindir=<Windows_Drive_Letter>:\windows
*Replace the "<Windows_Drive_Letter>" with the drive letter where Windows are installed. **
** e.g. In this example the command should be:
sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=D:\ /OFFWINDIR=D:\windows
8. Now be patient. The SFC command takes some time to scan and repair the corrupted files. *
* Note: If you receive the "Windows Resource Protection could start the repair service" error message, then make sure that you 're using a Windows Installation Media according to the Windows Version and Edition you try to repair. This means that if you want to repair a Windows 10 64Bit installation, then you have to boot your system from a Windows 10 64bit installation media.
7. When the repair is done, close command prompt window and restart your computer.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
We're hiring
We're looking for part-time or full-time technical writers to join our team! It's about a remote position that qualified tech writers from anywhere in the world can apply. Click here for more details.
Robert Willemsen
September 8, 2021 @ 10:45 am
After starting the sfc command, I got the message:
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
What can I do now ??
lakonst
September 9, 2021 @ 3:26 pm
Ensure that you 're using a Windows Installation Media according to the Windows Version and Edition you try to repair.
Francesco
December 18, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
Thanks, thanks, thanks….
You saved my day, month, year and life!
Noah
September 19, 2019 @ 9:46 am
Great tutorial but everything I've tried when I input any other SFC command except for SFC /scannow just replies back with all the possible options almost like if I typed /?. Any ideas?
lakonst
September 19, 2019 @ 6:05 pm
Something in the command you are writing is wrong or missing
Jessiah
September 20, 2019 @ 4:18 pm
Happened to me, i used backslash instead of forward slash. Misspell Any command and you will get that.
Cemil Iskender
August 13, 2019 @ 1:12 pm
Thanks, it is great, worked flawless. I recommend to everyone. Just follow instructions carefully.
Kazem
April 3, 2019 @ 7:30 am
I LOVE YOU.
YOU SAVED MY LIFE AND TIME. THANKS A LOT
With this method you wont need to reinstall the windows. It will just fix corrupted files
volker01
February 14, 2019 @ 6:48 pm
WHY?
your example:
sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=D:\ /OFFWINDIR=D:\windows
But in your example, the Windows Bootmanager is on C:
for that, isn't it correct?:
sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=D:\windows
lakonst
February 14, 2019 @ 7:20 pm
@volker01: Yes, the Windows Boot Manager is on drive C: but the Windows FOLDER is at drive D:, so the command "sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=D:\ /OFFWINDIR=D:\windows" is correct.
Mitch Turner
January 24, 2019 @ 5:05 pm
Helpful if SFC works. But when it says there are corrupt files, but logging doesn't work for offline scenarios, how do I find which files are corrupt?
lakonst
January 25, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
@Mitch Turner: Before running the sfc command, give the following commands in order (replace the drive letter "D:" with the Windows drive letter)
mkdir D:\Temp
set WINDOWS_TRACING_LOGFILE=D:\TEMP\CBS.log
After running the SFC command you 'll find the CBS.LOG file at D:\TEMP\ folder.
Scott Simpson
August 30, 2018 @ 8:51 pm
Windows resource protection could not start the repair service?
This is what I got
lakonst
September 5, 2018 @ 10:12 am
@Scott Simpson: Make sure that you 're using a Windows Installation Media according to the Windows Version and Edition you try to repair. This means that if you want to repair a Windows 10 64Bit installation, then you have to boot your system from a Windows 10 64bit installation media
Sergio from Brazil
February 3, 2017 @ 7:01 pm
Great! Very useful.