System File Checker (SFC) in Windows 7
System File Checker in Windows 7 should use install disk for repairs, not what is stored on HDD. If files in "store" are corrupt, no repairs can be made. There should be a "switch" with sfc to use the install disk. When you run sfc in XP, you have to put the install disk in the drive. Reinstalling the operating system is a big job, that could be avoided with this "switch" for W7. WHY NOT !!!!!!
June 20th, 2011 8:53pm

Hi, Thanks for the post. This is by design. The method is already changed in Windows 7. If you find have any inconveniences or suggestions, please submit your feedback to our Product Feedback Team : http://mymfe.microsoft.com/Windows%20%207/Feedback.aspx?formID=195Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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June 23rd, 2011 6:16am

Hi, Thanks for the reply. Does this mean there is a way to use the install disk with SFC in Windows 7? Can the offbootdir or offwindir switch use the install disk? I tried - SFC /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=(with different directories). All I get is "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service". What does "The method is already changed in Windows 7" mean? Is there a new version of SFC with more switches? Is there a program available from Microsoft to use the install disk? Can the install disk itself be used to run SFC and make repairs using the files from the disk. If I can not solve this problem, I will have to live with some problems. Reinstall is unacceptable. Thanks for any help you can give me.
June 25th, 2011 9:04pm

Hello BobK1110, If the file is not in the cache and the cache only contains boot-critical files, the file must be replaced manually. There is no access to the media to get files, this was not changed in Windows 7.Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en
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June 26th, 2011 6:27pm

So...does this mean we can't fix certain problems with SFC? Because Windows Updater is screwed up on my machine (won't install IE9, keeps reinstalling already downloaded updates, doesn't show any update history etc.) and I attempted to use SFC to fix the issue as recommended http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/inplace-upgrade-fails-to-run-installation/32306605-2474-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5. Sfc gives me the same error at the very start and refuses to run...so there's no way to fix this without a full reinstall?
June 27th, 2011 6:11pm

Windows 7 stores most of the files it needs under /windows Generally the SFC will be able to use that cache but if for some reason its damaged it will ask for a DVD My suggestion is to find any version of Windows 7 as long as it matches x86 or x64 as even starter has all the files that Ultimate has but are not installed. My MVP is for the Windows Desktop Experience, i.e. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 IT Remote Assistance is available for a fee. Visit my IT site for information. I am best with C++ and I am learning C# using Visual Studio 2010. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews
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June 27th, 2011 6:43pm

Unfortunately though it hasn't ever asked for a DVD in order to get the undamaged files. Even using the off<win/boot>dir commands it's unresponsive saying: "C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow Beginning system scan. This process will take some time. Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation. C:\Windows\system32>"
June 27th, 2011 8:17pm

The /offwindir /offbootdir flags are used to repair an offline Windows installation. For example, if the operating system cannot start because some files are damaged, you can boot your computer into Recovery Environment (RE) using the Windows 7 DVD and run the Sfc.exe command against your damaged (and offline) Windows installation. If you want to "extract" a system file from the Windows 7 DVD, you can use the Imagex /mount command to mount the <DVD>:\sources\install.wim file on an empty folder and copy the file from that folder to your damaged system. Here's the detailed procedure with the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file as an example: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942968Microsoft MVP Windows Expert Consumer | http://www.wintecnico.com
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June 28th, 2011 5:54am

Hello, It does not prompt for media for file replacement, If the files are not in the cache they must be manually replaced, see the link from Daniel Martin in the article he points to for the reference for how to get those files. There are a limited set of cached files, the rest must be manually replaced if they are corrupted or missing, the fact that SFC doesn't run indicates a completly different problem. SFC probably will not run due to there are updates in the process of installing. Those updates either need to complete their installation or be uninstalled, or removed/.Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en
June 28th, 2011 9:11pm

It appears as though the only way to replace corrupt or missing files short of reinstalling is: Download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (1.7gb) image file. Burn a DVD with the image file and install. Also download AIK instructions. Run SFC /scannow and look in the CBS log for the files that need replacing. Follow the instructions and replace the files one at a time. Example for replacing the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file: To resolve this problem, replace the corrupted GlobalInstallOrder.xml file on the system with the same file from the Windows Vista installation media. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Obtain the WIM filter driver from the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK). To download and install the Windows AIK, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en) 2. Click Start, point to All Programs, click Microsoft Windows AIK, right-click Windows PE Tools Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password. If you are prompted to continue, click Continue. 3. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER. MD c:\Mount This command creates a folder that is named Mount. 4. Put the Windows Vista installation media in the CD or DVD drive. 5. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER: Imagex /mount <var>DVDDriveLetter</var>\sources\install.wim 1 \mount 6. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER: CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990 This command moves to the source folder 7. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER: xcopy GlobalInstallOrder.xml %windir%\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990 This command copies the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file to the destination folder. This example is for Vista, should work for Windows 7 ??? If I am on the right or wrong path, let me know. I do not think Microsoft has addressed the issue properly, I still think the SFC program should have an option to use the installation disk to make repairs. It will NOT ever ask for the installation disk !!!
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July 3rd, 2011 11:18am

Hello BobK11110, The wim filter driver is included with Windows 7 so the Windows AIK is not needed, otherwise you have it correct. Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en
July 4th, 2011 12:37am

Hi Darrell, Thanks for the conformation. In the example file replacement above, step 5 refers to "install.wim 1", where 1 is one of four folders. I looked in "install.wim" with 7zip to see this. Is each folder for a different version of W7? Which folder number is for W7 Pro x64? All four appear to contain almost the same thing. And for benefit of everyone who views this, what are the other folders for? When I tried step 5, I received a message: 'imagex' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. I tried image and imagex /? with same message. What do I use in W7 to mount "install.wim"? Or can I use 7zip to extract what I need and accomplish the same thing? I would like to get the folder or folders from install.wim I need for my OS and put them on a DVD for easier access.
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July 4th, 2011 7:16pm

Hello BobK1110, Sorry, DISM is the command included with Windows 7 that is used to mount the wim file I should have read the article more closely, or rather I should get a new one generated. C:\>dism /mount-wim /? Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool Version: 6.1.7600.16385 /Mount-Wim /WimFile:<path_to_WIM_file> {/Index:<image_index> | /Name:<image_name>} /MountDir:<target_mount_directory> [/readonly] Mounts the WIM file to the specified directory so that it is available for servicing. /ReadOnly sets the mounted image with read-only permissions. Examples: DISM.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\test\images\myimage.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline DISM.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\test\images\myimage.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline /ReadOnly Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en
July 4th, 2011 9:11pm

Hi Darrell, Thanks for the DISM command info. Since I already made a folder called "mount", I used it and entered the following command: c:\dism /mount-wim /wimfile:d:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /mountdir:c:\mount /readonly Mounted OK. It took a few minutes and everything I need is now available. The size of the folder is 11gb. I copied it to a external HD. I also made a DVD-DL with the c:\windows\winsxs files (the location of the files I need) Forget about using 7zip to extract these files. Thanks for your invaluable help. Now to get the word out to everyone who needs it.
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July 5th, 2011 8:21pm

Hi Darrell, Thanks for the DISM command info. Since I already made a folder called "mount", I used it and entered the following command: c:\dism /mount-wim /wimfile:d:\sources\install.wim /index:3 /mountdir:c:\mount /readonly Mounted OK. It took a few minutes and everything I need is now available. The size of the folder is 11gb. I copied it to a external HD. I also made a DVD-DL with the c:\windows\winsxs folder(the location of the files I need). Folder size is 5.6gb. You can use 7zip to extract these files. Choose the correct folder 1,2,3 or 4. Thanks for your invaluable help. Now to get the word out to everyone who needs it. P.S. Index number 1=Basic, 2=Home Premium, 3=Professional and 4=Ultimate
July 6th, 2011 3:19am

...the fact that SFC doesn't run indicates a completly different problem. SFC probably will not run due to there are updates in the process of installing. Those updates either need to complete their installation or be uninstalled, or removed/. So how would I go about doing that if Windows Update seems to be on the fritz? That's the main reason I'm trying to use sfc /scannow because I can't install IE9 and it's constantly telling me that certain updates are available and need to be installed but then it errors out during the installation.
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July 13th, 2011 11:09am

... the fact that SFC doesn't run indicates a completly different problem. SFC probably will not run due to there are updates in the process of installing. Those updates either need to complete their installation or be uninstalled, or removed. Sorry...I replied to a previous post: So how would I go about doing that if Windows Update seems to be on the fritz? That's the main reason I'm trying to use sfc /scannow because I can't install IE9 and it's constantly telling me that certain updates are available and need to be installed but then it errors out during the installation.
July 13th, 2011 11:11am

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