Repairing Errors on System Volumes

The file system used in Windows NT-based computers (NTFS) is extremely fault-tolerant and somewhat self-healing but there are times the file system needs a repair, despite appearing to operate normally. A full repair can only be conducted while the system is not in use, so Windows has an ability to run a check/repair at startup, before the main operating system loads.

1. Windows Vista/7 and later

   Click Start , type CMD in the search box and press CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-ENTER.

   You will be prompted to elevate the command prompt. Choose Yes or Continue.

   Windows NT/2000/XP/2003

   Click Start, choose Run and enter CMD then click OK.

   The command prompt will appear.

2. Type:

   CHKDSK C: /F

   and press ENTER.

3. You will be prompted:

   The type of the file system is NTFS.
   Cannot lock current drive.

   Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another
   process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be
   checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)

4. Type Y and press ENTER.

5. Reboot the system.