¶ Recommended best-working method:
Open the windows Command line as administrator. Press the Windows key, type cmd right-click the app and select "launch as Administrator". Alternatively, You can press the key-combination Win + R and type cmd and hold the Ctrl + Shift keys down while you press enter.
Enter chkdsk C: /f and accept with the Y. This letter might change depending on your system language. You want the option saying yes.
Attention: if your Disk that you want to repair is not the C: drive, then you need to change the Letter.
¶ Windows Recovery with SFC and DISM
Source of Information: learn.microsoft.com
¶ Repair System Files with Windows Terminal commands
You have to start the Windows Terminal with Adminitrative rights to be able to use the commands below:
Do everything at once: dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth & dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth & dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth & sfc /scannow
This is how I once rescued important data from a Windows 11 Laptop which installed a failed Update and caused Windows to Bluescreen every time you would turn it on.
To repair the image (The quick and dirty way):
This one might not fix all corrupted System files! To do it properly, use the commands below:
sfc /scannow
Scan the image to check for corruption:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Check the image to see whether any corruption has been detected:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
To repair the image:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
¶ Boot into safe mode:
There are multiple ways to enter the safe mode:
¶ Start the Recovery Menu on a working machine that still boots:
-
Using System Configuration (msconfig)
- Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
msconfigand press Enter. - In the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab.
- Under Boot options, check Safe boot.
- Select one of the following options:
- Minimal – standard Safe Mode
- Alternate shell – Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- Network – Safe Mode with Networking
- Click OK and restart the computer.
- Press
-
Using Shift + Restart from the Start Menu
- Hold the Shift key and click Restart from:
- The Start Menu → Power icon
- The login screen → Power icon
-
Using Windows Settings
- Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- After the PC restarts, navigate to:
Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart - Press the key for the Safe Mode option you want.
-
Using a Bootable USB or Recovery Drive
- Boot from a Windows installation media or recovery USB.
- On the initial screen, select Next, then click Repair your computer.
- Go to:
Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart - After restarting, select a Safe Mode option by pressing the appropriate number key.
¶ Start the Recovery Menu on a non-working machine that does not boot anymore:
Forcing Entry into Automatic Repair Mode:
- Power off the PC during the boot process three to four consecutive times (e.g., during the Windows logo).
- Windows will enter Automatic Repair Mode.
- navigate to and select:
Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart - Choose your preferred Safe Mode option on the next screen.
¶ In the Recovery Menu:
Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart
After another restart, press the corresponding number key for:
4 – Safe Mode
5 – Safe Mode with Networking
6 – Safe Mode with Command Prompt