Run Microsoft CHKDSK from the command line

Run CHKDSK to check for disk errors

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type the following text, and then press Enter.

   cmd

3. Type the drive letter of the drive you want to check (followed by a colon), and then press Enter. For example, type the following text to check drive D.

   d:

4. Change to the root directory of the drive by typing the following text and pressing Enter.

   cd\

5. Type the following text, and then press Enter.

   chkdsk /<switch>

   where <switch> is one of the following:

   • If you want to automatically repair file system errors, use the /f switch (for example, chkdsk /f).

   • If you want to both repair file system errors and scan for and recover bad sectors, use the /r switch (for example, chkdsk /r).

   If you do not specify a switch when you run CHKDSK, any errors that are found are not fixed.

6. If you are prompted to schedule CHKDSK to run the next time the computer restarts (because CHKDSK may be unable to gain exclusive access to the drive under Windows), type the following text, and then press Enter.

   y

7. At the command prompt, type the following text, and then press Enter.

   exit

8. If you had to schedule the CHKDSK operation, then restart your computer.

   While Windows loads, CHKDSK should automatically run and check the drive that you specified earlier.