Both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 include the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Previous operating systems included this tool also. This discussion is specific to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. If you would like more information on previous operating systems see the following KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747.

SFC scans and checks all Windows Resource Protected (WRP) resources. Windows Vista adds the following new functionality to the SFC tool:

· Ability to scan a single file

· Ability to scan a Windows installation offline

Common SFC Command Line Options: Here are some of the common commands you would use with SFC. Note you need to run SFC from a elevated command prompt

Scan entire system

SFC.EXE /scannow

Scan a specific file

SFC.EXE /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll

Verify. This scans all protected files but does not repair them

SFC.EXE /verifyonly

Help for Sfc.exe

SFC.EXE /?

One of the new features of SFC in Windows Vista/2008 is the ability to run SFC against a offline windows directory. This is most useful when you are unable to start Windows and suspect file corruption. Generally you should always try safe mode first before doing this to see if Windows can start. To use SFC in offline mode you do the following[…]

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Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, SFC, Tips and Tricks, Troubleshooting