How to Run CHKDSK /F /R/X to Fix Hard Drive Errors in Windows 10/8/7

CHKDSK is a built-in command-line utility in Windows that checks the integrity of the file system and disk for errors, and optionally repairs them. CHKDSK /F /R is a specific command that performs a thorough check and repair of the disk, including checking for bad sectors, file system inconsistencies, and other issues. To use CHKDSK to repair hard drive errors, open the Command Prompt as an administrator, type the command `chkdsk /f /r`, and press Enter. The utility will then scan the disk and repair any errors it finds. It's recommended to run CHKDSK before making any changes to the disk or running disk cleanup tools.

Workable Solutions	Step-by-step Troubleshooting
What is CHKDSK command	CHKDSK (Check Disk Utility) can be used to check and fix errors on the targeted disk, and can be run from the Command Prompt/PowerShell.Full steps
What does CHKDSK /F /R /X mean	CHKDSK /F can fix disk errors, and CHKDSK /R does the same thing as CHKDSK /F, but also checks for bad sectors and recovers readable information.Full steps
Run a partition tool to fix disk error	Download the Qiling partition tool for free and use it to check and repair corrupted file systems with just a few clicks, eliminating the need to manually type commands.Full steps
Use CHKDSK manually	The command "Run CHKDSK /F /R /X" can be executed from the Command Prompt or Power shell, or accessed through the Properties window of the drive or partition to be checked. This command is used to scan and fix disk errors, and the options used here are: /F for fixing errors, /R for recovering readable information, and /X for forcing the volume to dismount before scanning. This process can help identify and resolve issues with the disk, ensuring it remains in a healthy state.Full steps

What Is CHKDSK Command

CHKDSK, a utility in Windows, scans and fixes errors on a hard drive, helping to resolve issues like computer freezing or inaccessible disks due to corrupted file systems.

What Does CHKDSK /F /R /X Mean

CHKDSK /F /R /X is a command that scans the file system and metadata on a disk volume to identify and fix logical errors. It also detects and automatically fixes bad sectors on the target disk caused by physical damage, ensuring the integrity of the file system.

Differences Among CHKDSK /F, CHKDSK /R, and CHKDSK /X

CHKDSK can fix two types of disk errors: logical and physical. Different commands and switches can be used to fix hard drive errors based on the type of error. The most commonly used commands are CHKDSK /F, CHKDSK /R, and CHKDSK /X, but what is the difference between them?

CHKDSK /F: Check for disk errors, not bad sectors.
CHKDSK /R runs a thorough check on the target hard disk, identifies bad sectors, and attempts to recover readable data from those sectors, implying a repair operation.
CHKDSK /X: Forces the volume to dismount first, if necessary, and then checks the disk for errors, including the functionality of /f, which fixes errors on the disk.

CHKDSK Parameters and Meanings

The syntax of the CHKDSK command is:

chkdsk volume /f /v /r /x /i /c

The CHKDSK command with the /f parameter fixes errors on the volume and recovers readable information from the volume. The /r parameter is used to locate bad sectors and recover readable information from the volume. The /x parameter forces the volume to dismount so that a CHKDSK can be run. The /b parameter is used to boot the system with a minimal set of drivers. The /p parameter is used to check the disk for bad sectors and to recover readable information from the volume. The /c parameter is used to check the disk for bad sectors. The /l parameter is used to locate bad clusters on the disk. The /v parameter is used to display the volume's status.

Parameters	Details of the Parameters
/f	CHKDSK fixes errors on the disk, requiring the disk to be locked. If it can't lock the drive, it will prompt to check the drive at the next restart.
/r	This feature locates bad sectors on a disk and recovers readable information, requiring the disk to be locked. It includes the functionality of the /f switch, with the added analysis of physical disk errors.
/x	The command /d /f forces the volume to dismount first, if necessary, and then deletes the volume. All open handles to the drive are invalidated, and the command also includes the functionality of /f.
/b	The command /c clears the list of bad clusters on the volume and rescans all allocated and free clusters for errors. It includes the functionality of /r and is used after imaging a volume to a new hard disk drive.
/v	The program displays the name of each file in every directory as the disk is checked, providing a detailed report of the disk's contents.
/scan	NTFS only. It runs an online scan on the volume.
/i	CHKDSK performs a less vigorous check of index entries on NTFS, reducing the time required to run CHKDSK.
/c	CHKDSK in NTFS only mode does not check for cycles within the folder structure, making it faster to run.

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How to Use CHKDSK /F /R /X Commands Manually on Windows 10/8/7

If you don't like to use the simple third-party CHKDSK tool, you can run CHKDSK in a harder way via three methods: using Command prompt, Windows PowerShell, or a disk check tool.

1. Run CHKDSK in Command Prompt

If your hard drive is performing poorly or Windows is asking you to repair drive errors, you can try running the CHKDSK tool to fix the issue. To do this, you can follow the steps to run CHKDSK /f in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, or 7, which can help resolve drive errors and get your hard drive running smoothly again.

Use CHKDSK /F /R in Windows 10

If you're unable to boot into Windows 10 to run CHKDSK, you can fix the UEFI boot issue using various solutions, making it possible to access Windows 10 and run the disk check.

Step 1. Press the Windows key and type cmd.

Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Run the command `chkdsk E: /f /r /x` to repair the partition on drive E by checking for errors, fixing them, and recovering any readable information. Replace "E" with the drive letter of the partition you want to repair.

The CHKDSK process should not be interrupted and should be allowed to complete without being stopped. It's best to wait patiently for the process to finish.

Run CHKDSK in Windows 8.1/8

To run the utility from Command Prompt in Windows 8.1/8, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows and C key to open the Charm bar.

Step 2. Select "Search" and type cmd.

Step 3. Right-click on "Command Prompt" and click "Run as administrator."

Step 4. When Command Prompt launches, type the command below and press "Enter": chkdsk E: /f /r /x.

Run CHKDSK in Windows 7 CMD

To run the CHKDSK command on Windows 7, simply open the Command Prompt as an administrator, type `chkdsk` followed by the drive letter of the disk you want to check (e.g.

Step 1. Click "Start". Type cmd at the search box.

Step 2. Right-click on cmd.exe and click "Run as Administrator". Enter your Administrator password if necessary.

Step 3. When cmd.exe opens, type the command below and press "Enter": chkdsk c /f /r.

If you get the "Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process" message, type Y to restart your computer and let Chkdsk scan your PC at the next boot.

2. Use CHKDSK/F/R in Windows PowerShell

If the Command Prompt is not working in Windows 10, you can also run the CHKDSK /F or /R command in Windows PowerShell to fix hard drive errors.

Method 2: Do not take out HDD to another computer.

If you clone your hard drive to a smaller SSD and then insert that SSD into a different computer, the operating environment will have changed, which means the cloned SSD won't boot properly.

Step 1. Click the Search button and type PowerShell.

Step 2. Right-click the PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.

Step 3. Type chkdsk c /f /r to start fixing disk error. Replace C with the drive letter of the target disk.

3. Run CHKDSK in Properties Window

To run the Check Disk tool from the Windows desktop, follow these simple steps: simply type "chkdsk" in the search bar, select the drive you want to scan, and click "Check" to run the tool. This process works the same way on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Step 1. Open This PC in File Explorer > right-click the HDD/SSD you want to scan > choose "Properties".

Step 2. Under the Tools tab > click the "Check" button under the Error-checking section.

Step 3. Next, you can choose to Scan drive if wanted or Repair drive if errors were found.

Step 4. When the scanning finishes, click on the Show Details link to see the CHKDSK log in Event Viewer.

Conclusion

The CHKDSK utility can be a lifesaver when dealing with hard drive errors or corrupted files, and it comes with every Windows version.

CHKDSK /F /R Error TroubleShooting

You may encounter CHKDSK related problems, but don't worry, I've got you covered. CHKDSK errors can be caused by various issues, such as corrupted system files, disk errors, or incomplete disk formatting. If you're experiencing CHKDSK problems, try running a System File Checker (SFC) scan to identify and replace corrupted system files.

Is CHKDSK R safe?

Running the CHKDSK /R command is generally safe, as long as you use the correct syntax. CHKDSK has various parameters, and choosing the right one can help fix disk errors. By checking the CHKDSK parameters, you can select the one that best addresses your specific issue.

How long does chkdsk /f /r take?

It depends.

chkdsk -f should take under an hour on that hard drive.
chkdsk -It will take some time, potentially over an hour, maybe two, three, or more, depending on your partitioning.

CHKDSK can be interrupted, but it's not recommended. If you interrupt or cancel CHKDSK, the volume will not be left in a worse state than before the scan. You can restart CHKDSK to check and repair any remaining corruption on the volume.

What to do when CHKDSK is stuck or frozen?

Restart your computer.
Press Esc or Enter to stop chkdsk from running.
Run the Disk Cleanup utility to clear out junk files.
To run the System File Checker, open an elevated Command Prompt, type `sfc /scannow`, and press Enter. This will scan and replace any corrupted system files.
To resolve the issue, restart your computer, and during the startup, press Esc or Enter to restart and exit chkdsk again. This will allow the system to continue booting normally.
To repair the Windows image, open the Command Prompt as an administrator, type the command `Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`, and press Enter. This will initiate the repair process.
Run CHKDSK again.

The scan should be able to run to completion this time.