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Run CHKDSK in Command Line to Repair Disk Errors

Every Windows OS user needs to run Check Disk tool every now and then since computers need extra care to work properly. Here you will get to know how to run CHKDSK in command line using various CHKDSK parameters that scan the disk & fix errors if any problem is found.

CHKDSK Tool & Command Line

Check disk (Chkdsk.exe) is a Windows operating system inbuilt tool that runs in Command prompt, the main purpose of this tool is to check volume on the disk & verify if there is any inaccuracy in the file system structure. If the problem is found then CHKDSK repairs disk-related error like lost clusters, cross-linked files etc. Check Disk is a popular tool since MS-DOS and now it is being used in every Windows OS such as Windows 7, 8, 10, XP, Vista. To run CHKDSK tool, you need to run command prompt as an administrator otherwise you will get the following error:

Various CHKDSK Parameters to Fix Errors

Check Disk allows user to view status of the hard disk, the tool create & display status report of the volume if no switches/parameters are used. However, if CHKDSK switches are used it repairs disk errors.

If you want to check the integrity of a drive then type only the volume name with chkdsk as shown below:

Chkdsk D:

Here is the complete syntax of the Check Disk:

Chkdsk [volume[[path]filename]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]

Some switches are used only in NTFS partition

Errors while using CHKDSK:

Check Disk cannot check the volume when it is in use. As is often the case with C: you need to proceed by typing 'Y' & let CHKSK process its task before Windows OS starts using the drive. The message is shown in below screen:

Make sure that no file is open of the drive being used in command line otherwise the following message will display while using CHKDSK E: /F command:

Although CHKDSK can fix disk errors using its parameters, yet it doesn't restore corrupted or lost files. Moreover, it can remove index entry, invalid filenames etc. In order to regain lost data try CHKDSK deleted file recovery software that will help you in getting back all your files.