Home > Glossary > CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 > System File Checker (SFC)

📖 What is System File Checker (SFC)?

System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility used to scan for and restore corruptions in critical system files. By running the sfc /scannow command, the tool replaces damaged or missing system files with a cached, healthy version from the system image.

🥋 Sensei Says:

"Pro-tip: Always try SFC first for system file corruption. If it fails or says it found corrupt files but couldn't fix them, move to DISM."

📚 Certification: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 (220-1102)

🔑 What are the Key Concepts of System File Checker (SFC)?

▸ The primary command `sfc /scannow` triggers a full scan of all protected system files and automatically attempts to repair any corruption found.
▸ SFC relies on a local cached copy of healthy system files stored in the Windows Side-by-Side (WinSxS) folder to perform replacements.
▸ Executing SFC requires an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window with Administrative privileges to access and modify protected system directories.
▸ It is typically the first line of defense for resolving 'missing DLL' errors or unexpected system behavior caused by corrupted OS binaries.
▸ SFC focuses specifically on the integrity of system files, whereas other tools might focus on disk hardware errors or the system image.

🎯 How does System File Checker (SFC) appear on the 220-1102 Exam?

You may be asked to identify the first tool a technician should use when a Windows workstation experiences instability and reports missing system DLL files. The correct answer will likely be SFC because it is the fastest way to verify system file integrity.

A scenario might describe a situation where a technician runs SFC, but the utility reports that it found corrupt files it could not fix. You will need to identify DISM as the next logical step to repair the system image.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between SFC and DISM?

SFC repairs corrupted system files using a local cache. DISM repairs the actual system image (the source for SFC) by downloading healthy files from Windows Update, making it more powerful but slower.

Can SFC fix errors on a hard drive with bad sectors?

No, SFC only checks file integrity. If the underlying issue is physical disk damage or file system errors, you must use the CHKDSK utility to repair the disk before running SFC.

Related Terms from CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Latency USB (Universal Serial Bus) NIC (Network Interface Card) Cloud Computing Task Manager

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