| Result | Meaning | What to do | |--------|---------|-------------| | | All system files are healthy. | Your issue is elsewhere (drivers, apps, hardware). | | Found and repaired corrupt files | Success! Check CBS.log for details. | Reboot and test your original issue. | | Found but unable to fix | The Component Store is also corrupt. | Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth first , then rerun SFC. | | Found, fixed, but need reboot | Files were in use. | Restart Windows to apply repairs. | The #1 mistake people make (and how to fix it) Mistake: Running sfc /scannow without checking the Component Store first.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth && sfc /scannow The && means the second command runs only if the first succeeds. sfc /scannow is not a placebo. It has saved countless Windows 11 installs from reinstallation. But treat it as a two-step process with DISM, and always check your storage health if corruption keeps returning. sfc /scannow windows 11
If SFC says it can’t fix files, that means its source of “good files” (WinSxS) is broken. You need to repair the source before running SFC again. | Result | Meaning | What to do