In previous article, I mentioned How to Turn Off Notifications in Windows 11 but now in this article I have mentioned how to fix Corrupt files in Windows 11, as it can be frustrating and can hinder your workflow. It may cause several functions to stop working and lead to a decline in productivity. Sometimes, it may crash the operating system - relaxing the excitement of using the latest Microsoft Windows.
However, fixing corrupt files on Windows 11 comes easy. You can do it yourself with a few steps, and this post will teach you how to do it.
But first, an essential step is required before attempting to fix corrupt files on Windows 11.
Create a Backup Before Fixing Corrupt Files
Fixing corrupt files on Windows 11 is easy, but it may also go wrong and lead to data loss. Therefore, you should create a backup of all Windows data before proceeding to fix the Windows corrupt files.
You will need to create a Windows 11 installation media on an empty disk or flash drive. The goal is to make this disk a bootable device, and you can follow this guide to safely backup your data. Note that the explanation in the post applies to every Windows version.
Ways to Fix Corrupted Files in Windows 11
There are several ways to repair your Windows when it has corrupted files. You can run a startup repair, SFC repair, restore, or reset the PC. Let's get into the details right away.
Fix Corrupt Files with the Windows Startup Repair
- Connect the bootable device you created earlier to your Windows 11 PC.
- Start the PC and set it to boot from the Removable Device in the BIOS setup.
- When the Windows installation screen displays, click on Repair your computer at the lower part of the page.
- Click on Troubleshoot on the next page.
- Click on Advanced options in the Troubleshoot window.
- Next, click on Startup Repair.
- The system will begin the Startup Repair and should fix corrupt files when the Startup repair is complete.
Repair System Files with SFC Scan
If the Startup Repair does not fix the corrupt files on your PC, you can run SFC to repair system files. Follow the steps below to do this:
- Click on the search button on your PC and type the cmd in the search field.
- Click on the Run as an administrator option from the search results.
- When the command prompt displays on the screen, type SFC/SCANNOW and press the Enter button on the keyboard.
- The system will scan and fix corrupt files on the PC. You may need to wait a few minutes for the scan and fix to complete.
- Restart your PC, and the process is complete.
Fix System Files with the DISM Scan
Running the DISM scan is an alternative to running the SFC scan. The process is a bit similar, but the functions differ. Here are the steps to run a DISM scan.
- Click on the search button on your PC and type the cmd in the search field.
- Click on the Run as an administrator option from the search results.
- When the command prompt displays on the screen, type DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth and press the Enter button on the keyboard.
- The system will scan and fix corrupt files on the PC. But the process may take a few minutes to complete.
- Restart your PC when the scanning is complete, and it should fix corrupt system files.
Restore Your PC to a Working State
Another way to fix corrupt files in your Windows 11 PC is to perform a system restore. The System Restore will return your PC to a previous state when it was working well. See how to do this below:
- Click on the search button from the taskbar and type create a restore point in the search field
- Click on the create a restore point icon in the search result as shown above.
- Click on the system restore button from the system properties window.
- The System Restore process will begin, you can choose the recommended restore to undo the most recent system update or select a different restore point. Then, click Next to continue.
- If you choose the recommended restore, click Finish on the next window to complete the system restore.
- If you choose a different restore point, select a date on which the system is working fine from the list. If you are unsure of the restore point to choose, it is advisable to select one of the oldest restore points. You can also check the box next to the show more restore points option.
- Click Finish on the next window. Hold on for the system to restore your PC to a working state.
- Allow the PC to restart automatically, which should work well after the restart.
Reset Your PC
You can fix corrupt files and other system errors in Windows 11 by resetting your PC. The Reset option is a system feature that helps you return the PC programs to their default state, thereby fixing bugs and other malware. This option is reliable, and it lets you keep personal files while performing the reset. Here are the steps to reset your PC below:
- Open the Settings app from the Windows start menu or by pressing the Windows button + I.
- Click the System option from the sidebar of the settings window. The system will likely highlight it by default since it tops the list of the options in the sidebar.
- Click on Recovery on the right side of the settings window as you see above.
- Navigate to the Reset this PC title, and click on the Reset PC button to the right of the tile.
- Choose to keep your files or remove everything from the next window.
- Confirm the selection in the pop-up dialogue box and click on the Reset button on the next window.
- The system will reset your PC to its default state, and it should fix every system or file error.
Conclusion
Corrupt Files in Windows 11 can make you less effective, but you should fix it successfully with the tips in this post.
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