Windows 11, like its predecessor, features the built-in Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), a command-line utility to troubleshoot critical system errors. The DISM commands can help you fix Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, a slow computer due to broken system files, and even repair the Windows Recovery Environment.
In this article, we’ll show you how you’re able to use the DISM and System File Checker utility to repair your damaged Windows 11 image and installation.
How to Use the DISM Command in Windows 11
The DISM command-line utility is a multi-purpose tool. It allows the system administrator to prepare and service Windows images. In addition, you can use the DISM tool in combination with the System File Checker utility to recover your Windows computer from critical failure.
While DISM supports multiple specified commands, to repair your Windows computer, you only need to know the DISM CheckHealth, DISM ScanHealth, and DISM RestoreHealth commands.
If you’re able to boot into Windows 11, you can run the DISM command from an elevated PowerShell console or Command Prompt. If not, you’ll need toboot into the Windows Recovery Environmentand launch Command Prompt fromAdvanced Optionsto run DISM.
Check Your System Health Using the DISM CheckHealth Command
you’re able to check for any file corruption using the DISM CheckHealth command. It is a diagnostic tool used to detect system image corruption and report the same. However, it doesn’t perform any repair.
To run the CheckHealth command:
If the image is repairable, you can use the RestoreHealth command to use Windows Update to fix any corruption. However, for a non-repairable image, you may need to perform a clean install to fix your computer.
Perform an Advanced System Image Scan with the ScanHealth Command
You can use the DISM ScanHealth command to perform an advanced scan of your Windows 11 system image. This will check your system for component store corruption and save the report to a log file.
To run the DISM ScanHealth command:
Run the DISM RestoreHealth Command to Repair the Windows System Image
The DISM RestoreHealth command uses Windows Update to provide the necessary files to fix file corruption and repair the Windows 11 system image. However, you must be connected to the internet so that the DISM tool can download and restore the files needed to perform a repair.
To run the DISM RestoreHealth command:
Repair System Image Using an Alternate Repair Source
The DISM RestoreHealth command may not work if your computer is not connected to the internet or if the Windows Update component is corrupt. In this situation, you can use a Windows installation media or a mounted Windows ISO as a local source to repair the system image.
First,create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive. Once you have the installation media ready, connect it to your computer and proceed with the below steps.
To repair your Windows 11 system image using DISM and a local repair source:
Repair Your Windows Installation Using the System File Checker (SFC) Utility
Once you have successfully repaired your Windows 11 system image using the DISM RestoreHealth command, run the System File Checker (SFC) utility. It will scan your Windows installation for system file corruption and fix them automatically.
In almost all instances, you must run the System File Checker utility after using the DISM image repair command to complete the repair process. Here’s how to do it:
The SFC process may take some time to complete and often may feel stuck at some stage. If you see no progress for a long time, press theEnterkey a few times on your keyboard to refresh the Command Prompt window to view real-time progress.
After the process is complete, restart your computer and check for any improvements. If the issue persists, run thesfc /scannowcommand again to see if that helps fix the problem.
Repair and Recover Your Windows System Image Using DISM and SFC
DISM makes it easy to repair a corrupt Windows image. It works both online using Windows Update and offline with a WIM file. The steps to use DISM may look complicated at first glance; however, it only takes two commands and an elevated Command Prompt to repair your Windows 11 image and installation.
