Among the many features that Microsoft presents the user in its Windows platform, Chkdsk (Check Disk) is one of the handiest features. With Chkdsk the user can analyze Internal hard drive errors and run automatic repairs without breaking a sweat. Moreover, the internal hard drive errors can cause hard drive failure as well as the potential loss of important files and data which can make things difficult for the user. On top of that, hard drive errors and failures are two of the most common issues reported by users.
But, with Check Disk a.k.a Chkdsk it is very simple to check for the errors and solve them. You have to open the command prompt along with ensuring admin privileges by turning “Run as Administrator” on. Now type command chkdsk drive name:. Furthermore, Windows will now automatically check for all the disk errors and fix them.
Today in this article we will guide you to check and solve errors using command and Chkdsk but before that let’s know what is chkdsk and how does it work.
What Does Chkdsk Do?
The check Disk (Chkdsk) is a utility tool of the windows Os platform which can run in the command prompt. Chkdsk works on some partition file systems to display the disk or drive status. Furthermore, you can easily find Chkdsk in all the windows platforms starting from XP to the recent Windows 10.
The function of Chkdsk along with its parameters is to check disk, drive, and files and fix their errors. So whenever you face problems or errors relating to disk or drive you should do a Chkdsk scan. But, when should you especially use a check disk utility?
It is well recommended to use Chkdsk when you encounter the following errors:
- Various blue screen of death errors
- NTDETECT failed
- 0x0000007B
- NTOSKRNL.EXE is missing or corrupt
- 0x00000024
- 0xc0000001
- 0xc000014c
Moreover, the perks of running chkdsk are the solution is provided for the faulty errors like:
- Lost clusters
- Directory errors
- Bad sectors
- Cross-linked files
How Does Chkdsk Work?
Whenever you run the chkdsk command the following 3 stages along with another 2 optional stages are included:
Stage 1:
The Chkdsk command confirms search file record segment consistency in the master file table.
Stage 2:
Chkdsk command checks each of the directories on the volume for internal stability.
Stage 3:
Chkdsk confirms the security descriptors for all the volumes to make sure they are steadily formed and consistent internally.
Stage 4 and 5:
Both of these 2 stages are performed only if the user uses the /r parameter. As the /r parameter ensures that each cluster’s sector is usable. Moreover, during these stages, the clusters that are in use and not in use are verified.
Now, do you want to check and solve errors using command and Chkdsk? Do read the full article.
How To Run Chkdsk From Command Prompt in Windows?
The Chkdsk scan on the command prompt platform is one of the most common and easiest ways of checking disk and drive errors. Hence, an individual can easily use the command prompt and check for errors using the Chkdsk command.
Follow the simple steps below to check for errors through the command prompt with the Chkdsk command:
Open Command Prompt
You can open the command prompt by typing cmd in the “Search Program”. While opening the command prompt it is recommended to open it as admin.
You have to right-click the “cmd.exe” and run it as administrator. In addition, The advantage of running it as an administrator is it provides you with admin privileges while executing commands.
Run Chkdsk Command
After opening the command prompt, you can type “Chkdsk” and press “Enter”. Now, the important thing while executing the command is that, if you do not specify a drive or filename then the Chkdsk command is executed on the current main drive.
Furthermore, if you want to specify a drive or file that you want to check for errors especially then you have to type the drive name and colon along with the check disk command. For example. Chkdsk f:
Besides, You can also add parameter along the check disk command to apply the specific function of the respective parameter, For example, Chkdsk f: /f /r
Check Disk (Chkdsk) Parameters
The following are the Chkdsk parameters along with their functions and syntax code:
| Parameters | Explanation | Example |
| Volume: | Specifies the drive name, mount point, volume name, or file name which is targeted to be checked for errors. | Chkdsk volume: |
| Filename: | FAT(File Allocation Table)/FAT 32 only. Furthermore, the filename parameter (with colon) specifies the targeted files to check for fragmentation. | Chkdsk Filename: |
| /F | Fixes the errors that occur in the volumes or files. The drive must be locked. Now, if the drive can not be locked, then a message will pop up in the command prompt saying if you want to check the drive next time you restart the computer. | Chkdsk d: /F |
| /V | Displays the name of each file in every directory of the disk. | Chkdsk d: /V |
| /R | Locates all the bad sectors in the disk and recovers the readable information. The drive must be locked. Besides, it has the functionality of /F along with the extra analysis of physical disk error. | Chkdsk d: /R |
| /X | Initially forces the volume (drive) to dismount, if necessary. Furthermore, it invalidates all the open handles to drive and has similar functions of /F. | Chkdsk d: /X |
| /I | Supports only with NTFS( New Technology File System). It mainly checks the index entries but less strongly and reduces Chkdsk run time. | Chkdsk d: /I |
| /C | Supports NTFS files only. /C reduces the time required to run Chkdsk as it does not check the folder structure’s internal cycles. | Chkdsk d: /C |
| /L:size | Supports NTFS only. It changes the log file size to the specified kilobyte numbers. Furthermore, If the size is not a specified number, it displays the current size. | Chkdsk d: /L :size |
| /B | Supports only NTFS. Besides, it basically re-evaluates bad clusters in the drive or volume. | Chkdsk d: /B |
| /? | Used to view the parameters above. | Chkdsk d:/? |
How To Find Logs Of The Chkdsk Error Checks?
Sometimes, it becomes important to review the records of the previous drive and disk checks through Chkdsk for various purposes. So, what do you do to check those old logs? The answer is you check the past logs of Chkdsk. But, the main question that remains is how/where can you find those old logs?
With every new drive and file check through Chkdsk and its parameters, it retains logs through which you can get an overview of the various scans and their fixes that have been applied. Therefore, You can access these log files within the Chkdsk folder inside System Volume Information on the C: drive.
But again, the System Volume Information which consists of the Chkdsk folder is a concealed folder. Being a concealed folder means the File Explorer will not display it due to the Hide protected Operating system files option being selected. Furthermore, you will also need to take ownership of the System Volume Information. Only afterward, you can access the Chkdsk folder and view the logs.
There you go this is all how you check and solve errors using command and Chkdsk. We have mentioned some of the frequently asked questions you can go through if you wish to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Better, Chkdsk /R Or /F?
While comparing the /R and /F parameters, the main fact that makes the difference is the sheer size of the drive or disk that is being checked.
The /F parameter of Chkdsk is not applicable for very large-sized drives or disks because it takes a lot more amount of time as it checks all the files in the drive.
Whereas, the /R parameter is used to find errors in large-sized files because it checks only the bad sector in the volume or drive.
Why Does Chkdsk Take So Long?
The most common reason for the Chkdsk scan to take a long time is due to a large number of files and data inside the folder you are scanning.
Furthermore, you may also have used the /F parameter to scan the drives and filers having large sizes. The solution I recommend for you is to use the /R parameter while doing the Chkdsk check. Besides, it will check only the bad sectors inside the drives and files.
Also Read:
How to Fix Taskeng.exe Error in Windows 10
How to Fix Windows Cannot Be Installed on this Disk Error
Conclusion
Chkdsk command one of the easiest and helpful ways of checking for errors in the drives and files. Accordingly, due to its easy and simple functioning, the individual lacking advanced computer system knowledge can also easily use them for error checks and scans.
While the parameters of Chkdsk help not only to check the errors but also to solve the soft problems and make the chkdsk run time shorter. Furthermore, the parameters are easily available in the command prompt itself.
If you have any kinds of queries regarding check and solve errors using command and Chkdsk, feel free to shoot us the comments on the comment box below.
Thank you!
