Windows 10: Why can't DISM find the Source files when run?

After running dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, twice I keep getting: Error: 0x800f081f, The source files could not be found.


The previous time I had this problem, I eventually spoke to a Windows Support person and they suggested doing a in-place install or whatever it is called. which I did a few months ago. That should not be required! I am running Windows 10 Pro 20H2, 19042.906.


How can this be resolved?

:)

 

Source to use for DISM on Windows 10

This is not completely true. The suggestion is to download the Techbench version and use DISM to apply to install.wim directly. However, you can also use the version download from MCT except it will involve an extra step as follows:

1. Use the latest version of 7-Zip to extract the content of install.esd. For example: to a folder xxx on the desktop
2. From Admin command prompt:
   Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\xxx\windows /LimitAccess

See screen shot, the contents of install.wim and install.esd are exactly the same.

 

Source to use for DISM on Windows 10

hmm...

I assumed they were the same all along so I tried simply COPYING the .esd AND the .wim out, and tried to use them but that didn't work either. Now that you mention EXTRACTING it out, that maybe makes more sense.

I thought the .esd version was encrypted. Does 7-zip take care of that?

 

DISM function and Source Files

What is the command line to set the source files within the DISM function to Windows Update? I have tried to run the DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and I get an error (see below) stating the source files cannot be found and it refers me to a
Microsoft Website that is pretty much useless. Any help would be greatly appreciated.