Not all errors are expressed in windows that appear on the desktop and the inability to perform any action. Much more often, they quietly accumulate on your computer and gradually slow down its work. Periodically, it is worth checking the device for possible errors, and not only the system, but also the hard drive and registry. All methods described below also include automatic correction of found faults.
Content
- 1How to check the system for integrity and errors
- 1Via sfc command
- 2Through the DISM utility
- 2How to check the hard disk for errors
- 1Through the “Explorer”
- 2Through the “Control Panel” (storage diagnostics)
- 3Through the command line
- 4Via PowerShell
- 5Video: how to check the hard disk for errors
- 3How to check the registry for errors
- 1Through built-in tools
- 2Through CCleaner
- 3Through Glary Utilities
- 4Via Wise Registry Cleaner
How to check the system for integrity and errors
As a result of an incorrect shutdown of the computer, exposure to viruses and other problem situations, system files may be damaged or changed. The consequences of this, as a rule, are expressed in problems when launching certain programs or turning on the computer, but sometimes they can be invisible to the user. Scanning the system for integrity is the first thing to do when you encounter problems with Windows 10.
Through the sfc command
This is the main way to check the integrity of the operating system. It is intended for cases with problems with the health of the computer. Only a superficial analysis is carried out through the sfc command, with the help of which it will not be possible to find and fix all possible errors. However, this method is quite fast and is ideal for proactive computer scans. A deeper analysis is possible through the DISM utility, which is described below.
- Open a command prompt as administrator. It can be found by searching in the Start menu. To run as administrator, right-click on it and select the appropriate item.Open command prompt as administrator
- Enter the sfc / scannow command and press Enter. Analysis starts. All detected errors will be automatically corrected on the spot.
Enter sfc / scannow command to fix errors automatically
The sfc command cannot fix errors in files that are currently being used by the system. If you receive a notification about such failures, be sure to run the DISM utility.
Through the DISM utility
The DISM utility performs a full system scan for errors and integrity violations. The analysis launched by it lasts quite a long time, but it allows you to identify and fix all violations in the system. To carry out the check, you will definitely need the Internet.
Before running the utility, turn off the antivirus and all running programs, and also try not to use the computer during the analysis.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and type dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth.
For a complete analysis of the integrity of the system, enter the command dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth at the command line
There are several more commands of this utility that may be useful to you:
- dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / CheckHealth for information about the status and presence of damage to Windows components;
- dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth to check the integrity and damage of the component store.
How to check your hard drive for errors
All data written to the computer is divided into small fragments that are placed on the sectors of the hard disk. During the operation of the computer, these sectors can be damaged. Bad sectors are the “errors” of the hard disk. When the hard disk tries to read information from a bad sector, the reading process “stalls”. The result of this is unreasonably long turning on of the computer and the launch of some programs.
It is impossible to fix bad sectors, but you can prevent the hard disk from working with them. The process of finding and excluding these sectors is called defragmentation. Even if no errors are found, as a result of defragmentation, the space on the hard disk will become more orderly, which will also speed up the process of reading information.
It is not recommended for SSD owners to do defragmentation: in such a case, it will not only be useless, but will also shorten the life of your drive.
Through “Explorer”
This is the main way to check the hard drive. Windows 10 has to do it automatically, without the user’s knowledge, to keep the hard drive in order. Defragmenting will take you about an hour, so it’s best to set it overnight.
- In Explorer, right-click on one of the drives and open its properties.Open the properties of one of the drives
- Go to the “Service” tab and click “Optimize”.Go to the “Service” tab and click “Optimize”
- Select one of the disks and click on “Optimize”. When defragmentation is complete, repeat what you have done with the rest of the disks in the list.Select one of the disks and click on “Optimize”
Through the “Control Panel” (storage diagnostics)
Many people mistakenly believe that hard disk analysis can be performed through the storage diagnostic utility. In fact, this is not the case. The storage diagnostic utility is indeed present on the hard disk, but it starts automatically, and you will not be able to analyze it through it. In this way, you can only find out the results of the last check of the status of the hard disk.
If you just want to analyze, use the previous method, but instead of “Optimize” click “Analyze”.
- Open “Control Panel”. You can find it through the search in the “Start” menu.Open “Control Panel” from the “Start” menu
- Select the “Small Icons” view option and click on “Security and Service Center”.Click on “Security and Service Center”
- Expand the Maintenance dashboard. The results of the last hard disk check will be displayed here.Review the results of the last hard drive check in the “Maintenance” panel
Through the command line
This method eliminates the restoration of order on the hard disk, which is performed during normal defragmentation. Due to this, the process is much faster. It is recommended to correct errors in this way if you need to quickly recover information from damaged sectors.
- Open a command prompt as administrator and type chkdsk C: / F / R. The letter F indicates the need to automatically correct the found errors, and R is responsible for an attempt to recover information from bad sectors.Enter the chkdsk command C: / F / R
- During the analysis, a message may appear stating that it is impossible to check a certain sector due to its current use. In this case, you will have a choice:
- enter the Y command to confirm the computer restart: this is necessary to check the used sector (analysis will continue after the restart);
- enter the N command to continue analysis without checking the used sector.
- At the end of the process, check the rest of the disks by replacing the letter C in the command.
To check without using the Internet, use the chkdsk command C: / F / R / offlinescanandfix.
Through PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is a powerful new command line shell. She does the same thing as her predecessor, but has much more authority. PowerShell allows you to quickly and easily perform those actions that are difficult or impossible for a regular command line. In our case, this will help to avoid the need to restart the computer to check the used sectors.
- Open PowerShell as administrator (same as command prompt).Open PowerShell as administrator
- Enter the command Repair-Volume -DriveLetter C and press Enter. At the end of the process, replace the letter C in the command to check other drives.Enter the command Repair-Volume -DriveLetter C to check the drive
To scan without using the Internet, use the Repair-Volume -DriveLetter C -OfflineScanAndFix command.
Video: how to check your hard drive for errors
How to check the registry for errors
The Windows registry is a complex database of the operating system that stores all settings, changes, information about the computer and installed programs. In the event of a registry error, the consequences can be very different: from a blue screen when you turn on and a complete inoperability of the system to an unremovable shortcut and other trifles.
The most annoying feature of registry errors is their layering. One minor error in the registry can lead to several others, which ultimately lead to dire consequences. This is why regularly scanning your registry for errors and fixing them prematurely is extremely important to keep your computer running efficiently.
Through built-in tools
Windows 10 has a built-in utility to check the registry for integrity, but it’s rather weak and doesn’t find most errors. Your best bet would be to use one of the third party programs described below.
Only critical errors can be corrected this way: many registry errors will remain intact.
Open a command prompt as administrator, enter the scanreg / fix command and press Enter.
Enter the scanreg / fix command to check the registry through the built-in Windows 10 utility
Via CCleaner
CCleaner is the most popular and reliable computer cleaning program. It is designed to clean out debris from hard-to-reach places that the system itself cannot reach. However, CCleaner earned its popularity precisely for its registry cleaning function, which allows you to quickly find and erase registry errors without touching anything important.
- Download from the official site and install the CCleaner program. Run it and go to the “Registry” section.Go to the “Registry” section
- Click on “Troubleshoot”.Click “Troubleshoot”
- When the analysis is complete, click on “Fix Selected …”.Click on “Fix Selected …”
- Save backup copies of the files being repaired. After the next reboot, they can be deleted. If you have any problems with your computer, just open the saved file.Save backup copies of the files being repaired
- Click Fix Selected.Click “Fix Marked” to disinfect the registry
Via Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities is a highly functional program that will work in your system tray and keep your computer clean and tidy. Cleaning the registry is just one of the available functions to improve the performance of your computer. Glary Utilities may seem intrusive to many, but for less experienced users, it will be a very useful helper.
- Download and install Glary Utilities. Run it and go to the registry cleanup section.Go to the registry cleanup section
- Scanning will start immediately. When finished, click “Fix Registry”.After scanning, click “Fix Registry”
Via Wise Registry Cleaner
Wise Registry Cleaner is a program designed not so much to cure the registry as to completely clean it from stale and unclaimed parameters. Cleaning the registry with Wise Registry Cleaner is quite serious and can touch important files that the program will think is superfluous. When you start Wise Registry Cleaner for the first time, you will be prompted to make a backup of the registry, which is better to agree to. If important files are touched, you can always roll back.
Wise Registry Cleaner is available only on the English version of the official website: if you change the language of the page to Russian, you will be offered a different Wise Care 365 program.
- Download and install Wise Registry Cleaner. Run it and click “Deep Scan”.Select “Deep Scan” mode in Wise Registry Cleaner
- When the scan is complete, select “Fix”.Click “Fix” to eliminate registry errors
Even if you don’t see any errors on your computer, it’s best to scan it periodically. This will keep your system running smoothly and will help solve most problems before they become visible.
