Chkdsk, or checkdisk, is a Windows system tool that verifies the integrity of a volume and attempts to fix file system errors.
If you’re running into repeated disk errors, system instabilities, orblue screen of death, the problem might be related to corruption in critical sectors of the disk. In such a case, you should attempt to check disk integrity and fix any detected corruptions by running thechkdskcommand.
We have prepared the article below that explains what thechkdskcommand is, the parameters you can run it with, and how to use it to scan for corruptions and fix any errors found on your hard drive in Windows.
When to Use Chkdsk Command
Chkdsk Command Syntax
Thechkdskcommand has the following syntax format, and you will need to run it with administrative privileges.
chkdsk [[[]]] [/f] [/v] [/r] [/x] [/i] [/c] [/l[:]] [/b] [/scan] [/spotfix]
Run the Chkdsk Command
On Windows, you may run thechkdskcommand from the command prompt, powershell, or from theWindows Recovery Environment.
Launch Chkdsk from Windows PowerShell:
Chkdsk from Windows RE
You can also runchkdskfrom the command prompt in Windows Recovery Environment. You can launch Windows RE if you are having trouble completing the booting process or otherwise unable to boot or run Windows properly.
you’re able to launch Windows RE using the Windows recovery media disk. Alternately, long press the power button to force system shutdown a few times while Windows is loading until you come across the recovery environment.
Thereafter, navigate toTroubleshoot>Command Prompt to launch the command prompt, where you will be able to runchkdskcommands normally.
Scan and Repair for Bad Sectors
If you need to scan and repair forbad sectors(physical) in your hard drive, you will need to run thechkdskcommand with /r parameter.
chkdsk vol /r
The scan parameter implies /f, meaning the parameter also performs the functionality of /f, which is to scan integrity of the file system.
This option will fix any file system errors that are identified. If there are any bad sectors detected, this will also attempt to recover readable data.
Identified bad sectors that are unrecoverable are flagged to avoid being written into in the future.
On a locked drive or a drive thatchkdskis able to lock, /r should be able to provide complete scan and repair functionality of thechkdskcommand.
Scan for File System Corruption
As mentioned above, the /r parameter performs a full disk scan, including scan of physical sectors. Thus, it is a relatively time consuming process. If you want to scan just thefile system, you can instead use the /f parameter
At the prompt, type inchkdsk vol /f.
If any file system errors are found,chkdskwill attempt to repair those errors. You need to keep in mind that bad sectors are not repaired by this parameter.
Dismount and Run Chkdsk
If one or more files in the target volume are open, in that case you will most likely get the error “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.” In this case, force a dismount of the disk by pressing Y when prompted.
You can also use the /x parameter to dismount the volume and runchkdskon it.
At the elevated command prompt, type in:chkdsk vol /r /x.
If you want to scan just the file system, you can instead execute the command:chkdsk vol /f /x.
However, if your target drive is theboot volumewhere Windows has been installed, then you will be unable to dismount the partition even with the /x parameter.
You will be greeted with a message “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)”
If you need to run thechkdskscan on the boot volume, press Y and hit enter. Thereafter, restart your system. When you’ve done this,autochk.exeis called when you boot your computer. This is a NTFS-only application that runs before Windows Server starts.
Theautochk.exeprogram can be run in the following situations:
Functionally,autochk.exeis the same aschkdsk, except that it runs before Windows loads, allowing it to run on the boot volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chkdsk Command Not Working?
Thechkdskcommand will not work if you have a fast startup enabled with multiboot configured for different versions of Windows. This also happens for other reasons such as disk failure or write protection enabled on the drive.
If you need to run achkdskscan in one of your disk drives butchkdskis not cooperating for some reason, we have a comprehensive article on the topic onhow to fix chkdsk not working.Please give it a read.
Can Chkdsk Fix Hard Drive?
Chkdskis a good tool to scan for file system errors or bad sectors. It might even be able to recover information if the stored data is still readable. However,chkdskis not a dedicated recovery tool. You will not be able to fix or recover data from a hard drive is physically damaged.
