Your PC under Windows 10 or 11 is having problems displaying error messages, but you can’t identify the cause? The DISM tool can help you find and fix them with a few text commands.
Like any operating system, Windows is made up of a myriad of files – we speak of “system files” – which are all essential elements for its operation. Like engine parts, most of these files are sensitive. And although they are not easily accessible, they can sometimes suffer from some problems, especially after updates through Windows Update. As a result, we end up with damaged files that prevent Windows from working properly or updating or, worse, slowing down or completely crashing the PC in extreme cases.
To check the status of these precious files and repair them, the easiest technique is to use the SFC tool (System File Checker, for System File Checker in French), using the sfc /scannow command as we describe in our how-to sheet. But there is even better: Microsoft has indeed equipped Windows with an even more powerful tool: SAY M (Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or French deployment image management and maintenance).
Mainly intended for IT administrators who must deploy and maintain Windows on many PCs, DISM can indeed be used to check and repair system files, such as SFC. The big difference is that it relies on an “image” of the system – a perfect copy – clean and healthy, preferably online, on Microsoft’s servers – although it can also run a local copy. . If there is a problem with a corrupted file, it can recover the original in good condition for its repair. This is why it is essential to have an Internet connection to launch it.
Like SFC, DISM is controlled using text commands at, from the Terminal or Windows PowerShell. Nothing complicated, despite the absence of a graphical interface! You just need to know the commands to use. And for the refractory to the command lines, there is DISM Guia free utility offered by deskmodder, which includes all the functions of DISM, but with a graphical interface!
The tool will allow you to repair the files in the WinSxS folder, the Windows component store by going to compare those present in your system with those present online and therefore holy. If DISM notices the presence of corrupt or missing files, it will then replace them in order to get Windows back on its feet.
How to Check and Repair Windows System Files with DISM?
The DISM tool is handled with a few simple command lines to enter in the Windows Command Prompt. Before launching it, make sure your PC has an internet connection.
► Press the shortcut Win + X. From the pop-up menu, choose Terminal (admineur).
► The terminal window appears. Enter – or copy and paste, to avoid typos – the following command to check the status of system files and validate with the key Entrance.
dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
► If no problem was detected, the message No component store corruption detected is displayed.
► However, you can carry out a more in-depth analysis. To do this, enter the following command and validate with Entrance.
Dism / Online /Clenaup-Image /ScanHeatlh
► A longer analysis then starts. It can last several minutes: be patient!
► At the end of its analysis, DISM displays the result. If a problem is detected, you can attempt to repair it.
► To do this, enter the following command and confirm with Entrance.
dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
► With this command, DISM will restore damaged or missing files by uploading them to Microsoft servers via Windows Update. The operation can, again, take several minutes.
► Once the operation has been completed and successful, enter the following command to correct any installation errors and confirm with Entrance. It uses the SFC tool, which works locally.
SFC /Scannow
