CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Operating SystemsMedium

A user reports that their Windows 11 computer is running slowly and applications are frequently crashing. The technician suspects that the system files might be corrupted. Which command-line tool should the technician use to scan for and attempt to repair corrupted Windows system files?

  1. Achkdsk
  2. Bdism
  3. Csfc
  4. Ddefrag
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. sfc

The System File Checker (sfc) tool is designed to scan for and replace corrupted or missing Windows system files with correct versions.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. chkdsk is used to check a disk for errors and bad sectors, not specifically corrupted system files.
  • B. dism (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is used to prepare, modify, and repair Windows images, but sfc is more direct for live system file corruption.
  • D. defrag is used to defragment fragmented files on a hard drive to improve performance.

System File Checker (sfc)

A Windows command-line utility that scans for and restores corrupted or missing protected system files.

  • Requires administrator privileges to run.
  • Often used with the '/scannow' option.
  • Helps resolve system instability due to file corruption.

Memory trick: System Files Corruption? SFC is your only Fixer.

More Operating Systems questions