Commands · Command

CommandWindows

chkdsk

chkdsk [drive:] [/f] [/r]

Checks a drive for filesystem errors and bad sectors, and can repair them — the Windows equivalent of fsck.

// FLAGS

/ffix errors found
/rlocate bad sectors and recover readable data (implies /f)
/xforce the volume to dismount first if needed

// EXAMPLE

chkdsk C: /f /r — schedules a full check-and-repair pass on the C: drive.

// GOTCHA

chkdsk can't fix errors on the drive Windows is currently running from while it's live — it schedules the check for the next reboot instead, which surprises people expecting it to run immediately.

// RELATED COMMANDS