CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Software TroubleshootingEasy
A client's Windows 10 desktop is experiencing random application crashes and system instability, but no malware has been detected, and disk checks show no errors. The technician suspects corrupted system files. Which command-line utility should the technician use FIRST to attempt to repair these files?
- Asfc /scannow
- Bdism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- Cchkdsk /f
- Dbootrec /fixboot
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. sfc /scannow
The `sfc /scannow` command (System File Checker) is the primary tool for scanning and repairing corrupted or missing Windows system files, which directly addresses the suspected cause of random application crashes and instability.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. `dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth` is used to repair the Windows image itself, often employed if SFC fails to repair files because its source is corrupted.
- C. `chkdsk /f` checks and repairs file system errors on the disk, not specifically corrupted Windows system files.
- D. `bootrec /fixboot` is used to write a new boot sector to the system partition, addressing boot issues, not general system file corruption.
System File Checker (SFC)
The `sfc /scannow` command-line utility in Windows scans for and restores corrupted, damaged, or missing protected system files.
- Requires elevated (administrator) command prompt.
- Uses cached copies of system files for restoration.
- Often the first step in troubleshooting general Windows instability after ruling out malware/disk errors.
Memory trick: SFC scans for bad system files and makes them right.