Windows 10: Question about windows checkdisk

Sorry but this doesn't help me much, if anything it makes me a bit more confused.

I guess this makes sense. So chkdsk and sfc basically does the same thing?

 

This links may be useful to understand the drive file system:
What Is a File System, and Why Are There So Many of Them?
chkdsk | Microsoft Docs

These links may be useful to understand the system files:
sfc | Microsoft Docs
How to Repair Corrupted Windows System Files with the SFC and DISM Commands

 

Was thinking more about a simple explanation. So far i get that sfc scans the file system, and chkdsk does (mostly?) the same thing.

 

You need to understand that the file system is not the same thing as the system files. A file system is the way any hard drive is formatted, NTFS, FAT32, etc. Chkdsk makes sure the file system is good. That's the foundation. If the file system is corrupt, then your system files that reside on the file system will likely be bad as well. SFC stands for system file checker. That verifies your Windows system files are intact.

They are two separate entities, and both need to be in good shape if you want a stable system.

 

Let me try something simple and (hopefully) straightforward: chkdsk checks disk structures, such as how file entries appear in the master file table, whether cluster chains are intact and working, and if any orphaned files appear on the disk; sfc checks system file contents and compares their calculated hash values to stored, known good values for those files. Thus, the one will detect any and all files that suffer from structural defects (chkdsk) while the other concentrates on OS system files to make sure their content is current and correct (sfc).
HTH. If it doesn't work for you, perhaps someone else in the community can try to explain the difference?
--Ed--

 

So basically chkdsk fixes the file system, and sfc fixes the system files?

P.S do i need to type chkdsk /x /r /f to do a complete scan and repair?

 

To scan the C drive or data partition you can type: chkdsk /r to fix and restore the drive file system.
The other switches are implied or redundant. It is done to remember the various switches.
So you can also type: chkdsk /x /f /r
This is not a complete scan of the disk but is a complete scan of the C drive.
The command may take many hours and is best accomplished overnight.
The next day the results can be found in the event viewer using the information in this link:
Read Chkdsk Log in Event Viewer in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

 

This isn't rocket science. Chkdsk checks and repairs the low level structure and physical integrity of the disk storage format. Windows depends on a huge number of system files for correct operation. Sfc checks that all required system files exist and have the correct version installed on your PC. Sfc attempts to fix any problems with such files.

I just use chkdsk <volume> /f and sometimes use the /spotfix option for speed.

 

Just a quick question, when you say windows system files, are you refering to the files being used when you install windows?

 

No. Windows system files are the files necessary for Windows to operate. They are...Windows. What gets installed on a blank hard drive after you format the drive and choose a file system.

 

Well I ran the SFC command and windows found some problems and corrected them. I ran it again and windows didn't find any problems this time. Chkdsk didn't find any problems as well.

Got it. SFC is pretty much clarified at this point. Still not entirely sure about chkdsk though.

 

I don't know of a way to make it any simpler, unfortunately. As someone else said, it's a very basic concept to computing. The drives have a file system. It's how the drive is aligned, partitioned, etc. Chkdsk checks the file system to make sure it is okay. It isn't checking the actual files, but where the actual files are stored. SFC is checking the actual files. If SFC found errors, that means some of your actual files were missing or corrupt. If chkdsk found no errors, than good, it means your file system itself was good and intact.

Files get saved to a file system. The file system is the cabinet. The files are the papers and folders you stick in the cabinet.

 

In Part 2 of Windows Internals (6th Edition), pp. 487-491 provide a detailed discussion of file structures for FAT and NTFS file systems, and explain the role of chkdsk in checking and reporting on such structures, as well as the kinds of repairs it can attempt. For those who really, really want to understand Windows' inner workings this two-volume set (for the 7th edition so far, only Part 1 is available right now) these books are absolutely essential. I can scan and PM the OP a link to a dropbox or onedrive copy of the corresponding PDF file, if he or she would like ( @Cerawy ).
--Ed--

 

I think it's time for you to use Google to educate yourself in some basic Windows concepts.

 

Just out of curiosity, is it good enough to simply just right click on the drive, click properties, click tools and then click on error checking, or is it best to run the chkdsk command with various parameters (still haven't figured out which ones are the best)?