What is system file checker in Windows ?

[Balgovind]

hi,
I am a Microsoft Windows user and want to know about the system file checker. What is sytem file checker ? Can anybody help me providing the information and details about the same ?
thank you...

[Eric B]

System File Checker is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corruptions in Windows system files. This utility is available on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista although in the Windows NT family of operating systems, it scans files using Windows File Protection.

In Windows Vista, System File Checker is integrated with Windows Resource Protection, which protects registry keys and folders as well as critical system files. Under Windows Vista, sfc.exe can be used to check specific folder paths, including the Windows folder and the boot folder.

[Glenny]

When you suspect that system files have been somehow corrupted, SFC is a good utility to run. It validates the digital signatures of all the Windows system files and restores those that it finds incorrect. It will use the on-disk cache if possible, but SFC may require that you provide your original installation CD or a location with an image thereof.

To run the system file checker
press Start, Run, and then type in SFC, followed by its options.

The most common usage of SFC is this: SFC /scannow

This causes SFC to scan your system immediately. SFC can take a few minutes to run

[Raine]

In Windows NT-based operating systems, System File Checker can be invoked, using a command prompt, with the following command:
sfc /scannow

If it finds a problem, it will attempt to replace the problematic files from the DLL Cache (%WinDir%\System32\Dllcache\). If the file is not in the DLL Cache or the DLL Cache is corrupted, the user will be prompted to insert the Windows installation media or provide the network installation path. In Windows Vista and onwards, files are protected using Access control lists (ACLs), however the above command has not changed.

[ThoMas321]

Definition -

The System File Checker tool gives an administrator the ability to scan all of the protected files to verify their versions. The System File Checker tool also checks and repopulates the %SystemRoot%'System32'Dllcache folder. If the Dllcache folder becomes damaged or unusable, you can use either the sfc /scanonce or sfc /scanboot command to repair the contents of the folder.

You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. Open a command prompt and type SFC followed by one or more switches.