5 Ways to Repair Corrupted Files on Your PC

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Corrupted files can cause programs to crash, slow down your system, or prevent Windows from functioning properly. Whether it’s an important document, an application, or system files, knowing how to repair corrupted files is essential to maintain a healthy, efficient PC. This guide provides five reliable methods to fix corrupted files on your computer.

1. Use the Built-In System File Checker (SFC)

Windows includes a tool called System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted system files.

How to use it:

  1. Press Windows + X → select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. SFC will automatically repair any corrupted files it finds.
  4. Restart your computer after the process finishes.

This tool is effective for fixing missing or damaged system files that may be causing errors.

2. Run the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM)

DISM is another Windows utility that repairs the system image, which can fix problems SFC cannot.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal as an administrator.
  2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the process to complete, which may take several minutes.
  4. Run sfc /scannow afterward to ensure all files are repaired.

DISM is particularly helpful if your system files are severely damaged.

3. Restore Files from Backup

If corrupted files are personal documents, photos, or important application data, restoring from a backup can save time:

  • Windows Backup: Settings → Update & Security → Backup → Restore files from a backup.
  • Cloud Storage: Services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox may keep previous versions of files.
  • Restoring from backup ensures you recover uncorrupted versions without additional tools.

4. Repair Specific Programs

Sometimes, corruption affects only a particular application rather than the entire system. Many programs include repair options:

  • Windows Settings: Apps → Apps & Features → Select the program → Modify/Repair.
  • Follow the prompts to repair the application without losing data.
  • Reinstall the program if repair fails.

This is often faster than repairing system files for software-specific issues.

5. Use Third-Party File Repair Tools

For stubborn files or specialized formats, third-party utilities can help:

  • Recuva: Recovers and repairs corrupted files.
  • Stellar File Repair: Fixes documents, photos, and videos.
  • CHKDSK: Built into Windows, it can fix file system errors on hard drives:
    1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
    2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter (replace C: with the appropriate drive letter).
    3. Restart your PC to allow CHKDSK to repair disk errors.

Preventing File Corruption in the Future

  • Keep your operating system and software up to date.
  • Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware-induced corruption.
  • Regularly back up important files to cloud storage or external drives.
  • Avoid abrupt shutdowns or power failures that can damage files.

Conclusion

Corrupted files can disrupt work and affect your PC’s stability, but most issues can be resolved using built-in tools like SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK, restoring from backups, repairing applications, or using specialized third-party utilities.

By combining prevention, routine maintenance, and effective repair methods, you can protect your files, recover corrupted data, and keep your PC running smoothly.

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