How to Fix Missing or Corrupted Files on Windows 10 (2024)

Windows 10, or any operating system for that matter, can end up giving bugs or crashes over the time and usage due to missing or corrupt files. If you are wondering how to fix this missing files issue, Windows 10 contains several failsafe commands to ensure that you can always sort out such dilemmas on your own without losing any data.

Let us get you well-acquainted with some of the best methods to fix the missing files issue on Windows 10 in your PC:

Use System File Checker (SFC):

The System File Checker feature or SFC is a program that can scan and resolve the issue of the missing or corrupted files on Windows 10 via replacing the files from the cache which stores the backup files for safekeeping within the OS.

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on it or press the Windows key and type cmd in the search bar. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and Run as Administrator.
   
2. In the Command Prompt, type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
   
3. The system will commence the verification phase to identify the corrupt/missing files and resolve the issue for you.
   
4. Now there are multiple scenarios, if no corrupt files are detected then the results would return as “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations”. But if the SFC scan repairs and resolves the issue then the result would indicate, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them”. If errors are found then it is recommended to repeat the SFC scan thrice or more.
   

Use DISM command:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM is the tool which holds the potential to bypass the System File Checker as the SFC solely relies on the replacement file held up in the cache. But, if they are also corrupted then the SFC protocol would not work. This is where the DISM steps in to service the Windows image file by downloading the required files from the Windows Update servers.

There are three commands, CheckHealth, ScanHealth, RestoreHealth respectively, which need to be executed in the order mentioned above as CheckHealth is a basic scan but does not resolve the issue whereas ScanHealth is an advanced scan to detect the deeply rooted problems. The RestoreHealth command would fire up the process to resolve the issues which were revealed during the earlier scans.

Step 1 - CheckHealth Command:

1. Open Start menu and type cmd in the search bar. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as Administrator.
   
2. Type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter.
   
3. The results would provide you with an insight as to whether or not the corrupted files were detected. Here it states, “No component store corruption detected” which is a thumbs up that the Windows image is functioning fine. But if the corrupted/missing files are located then proceed to the next step.
   

Step 2 - ScanHealth Command:

1. Open Start menu and type cmd in the search bar. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as Administrator.
   
2. Type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter.
   
3. Since it is an extensive scan, it could take some time to complete.
   
4. Now you can see the results of the scan as it would indicate the damaged files which were detected during the scan. If it indicates, “No component store corruption detected. The operation completed successfully” then the Windows image is functioning normally.
   

Step 3 - RestoreHealth Command:

1. Open Start menu and type cmd in the search bar. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as Administrator.
   
2. Type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
   
3. The system will inform you once the restore operation has been completed successfully.
   

Restore the System:

This is an effective bug fix for damaged files in Windows 10 as your PC reverts back to a previous log on session. You must be thinking how will this help? In easier words, your entire operating system would take a step back to a certain point where the issue initially started or even before that. Here’s how you can restore your system on Windows 10:

1. Open the Start menu and type system restore in the search bar. Click on the Create a restore pointto proceed.
   
2. Simply click on System Restore in the System Properties menu.
   
3. Click on Next in the Restore system files and settings wizard.
   
4. Check the Show more restore points box to reveal more restore points for you to choose from.
   
5. Select the restore point that you wish to revert back to according to the date, time, and type of the state. If you wish to learn more about the programs that will be affected by this restore attempt then click on Scan for affected programs.
6. This would reveal the list of affected programs which will be restored and deleted. Click on Close to proceed after you’ve checked the information out.
   
7. Click on Next to proceed with the restore session.
   
8. Once you are done reviewing the necessary information, click on Finish to initiate the System Restore and your PC would restart. This is known to resolve any kind of missing or corrupted file issues with the Windows image.
   

By following the above-mentioned methods, you can save your system from a messy situation via some collateral damage that is the data loss because of the restore. Rest assured the other methods would not result in any data loss as the system utilizes the cached backup replacement files from within the system to repair your PC.