SFC vs DISM: What They Do & When to Use Them

Learn how to use SFC (System File Checker) and DISM commands to fix corrupt system files and repair your Windows image. Step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and restore Windows 10/11.

TOOLS & UTILITES

5/8/20241 min read

A computer screen displaying system information for a Debian GNU/Linux distribution. The background is dark with a prominent logo formed by ASCII art. Technical details such as OS version, host name, uptime, resolution, and other specs are presented in white and red text.
A computer screen displaying system information for a Debian GNU/Linux distribution. The background is dark with a prominent logo formed by ASCII art. Technical details such as OS version, host name, uptime, resolution, and other specs are presented in white and red text.

What is SFC?

SFC stands for System File Checker.

It scans your Windows installation for corrupted or missing system files and attempts to replace them with clean versions stored in your local cache.

How to Run SFC:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  2. Type:

    sfc /scannow

  3. Hit Enter and let the scan finish (it may take 10–15 minutes)

When to Use SFC:

  • Your PC is acting weird after an update or power outage

  • You're getting random crashes or app failures

  • Windows features aren't working correctly

  • You see errors like “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files…”

What is DISM?

DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management.

While SFC pulls repair files from the local cache, DISM fixes the source itself. It repairs the Windows image (used by SFC), and can even fetch clean files from Windows Update if necessary.

How to Run DISM:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  2. Type:

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  3. Press Enter. This one can take 10–30 minutes, especially if it pulls files from the internet.

When to Use DISM:

  • SFC fails to fix issues or throws errors

  • You suspect the Windows image itself is damaged

  • You want to prep the system before running SFC

  • You're seeing "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation"

When to Use Each (Troubleshooting Order)

Here’s the recommended sequence:

  1. Run DISM first, especially if SFC has failed before

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  2. Then run SFC to fix system files

    sfc /scannow

By fixing the image first, SFC will have a clean source to pull from.

Pro Tip: Use Both After Major Issues

If you’ve just recovered from:

  • A failed Windows update

  • A malware infection

  • System crashes or file corruption

Run both tools to ensure everything is stable.

Final Thoughts

SFC and DISM are two of the most powerful first-response tools in any Windows troubleshooter’s toolkit.

Think of them like this:

  • SFC = Fixes the symptoms (corrupt files)

  • DISM = Fixes the source (Windows image)

Use them together for deeper, more reliable system recovery.

Contact Us

Email: support@desktechpro.com

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