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How Do I Repair the Image in Windows 19?

Published in Windows Repair Tools 3 mins read

To repair the Windows 10 system image, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. This command-line utility helps fix problems with the Windows image itself.

Understanding the DISM Tool

The DISM tool is a powerful utility built into Windows that can be used to service a Windows image or to prepare a Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) image. One of its key functions is the /restorehealth command, which scans for corruption and automatically attempts to fix detected issues by downloading replacement files from Windows Update.

Steps to Repair the Windows 10 Image

Follow these steps to use DISM to repair your Windows 10 image:

  1. Open Elevated Command Prompt: You need administrator privileges to run the DISM command.

    • Click the Windows Start button.
    • Type cmd in the search bar.
    • Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the results.
    • Select "Run as administrator". Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

  2. Run the DISM Command: In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as shown and press Enter:

    DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
    • DISM: Calls the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.
    • /online: Specifies that the command should run against the running operating system (your current Windows 10 installation).
    • /cleanup-image: Specifies that you want to perform cleanup or recovery operations on the image.
    • /restorehealth: Scans the image for corruption and automatically attempts to repair problems by using Windows Update to download and replace corrupt files.

  3. Wait for the Scan and Repair to Complete: The scan process may take some time, potentially 10-20 minutes or more depending on your system's speed and the extent of corruption.

    • Automatic Repair Source: Once the scan is complete, your system will automatically connect to the Windows Update service to download and replace any corrupt files that were found. Ensure you have an active internet connection.

  4. Rerun if Necessary: If the scan fails or reports that it couldn't fix the issues, you may need to try again in a different environment.

    • If the scan fails, please rerun it in Safe Mode. Booting into Safe Mode ensures that minimal drivers and services are running, which can sometimes prevent conflicts that cause DISM to fail.

What to Do After Running DISM

After DISM completes successfully, it's often recommended to also run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to verify and repair system files.

  1. Open Elevated Command Prompt again (if it's closed).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Let the scan complete.

Running both DISM and SFC together provides a comprehensive approach to repairing potential issues with your Windows 10 system files and image.

Troubleshooting Common DISM Issues

Issue Potential Cause Solution
Error: 0x800f081f DISM cannot find the source files Ensure internet connection; rerun in Safe Mode; specify a source (e.g., Windows ISO).
DISM fails/freezes System conflicts, corrupted components Rerun in Safe Mode.
Slow Scan System performance issues Be patient, allow adequate time.

Using the DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command is the primary method recommended to repair the core Windows 10 image when it's corrupted.

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