How to repair installation using DISM and SFC on Windows 11

To repair missing or corrupted system files on Windows 11, run DISM and SFC commands from Command Prompt as administrator.
First, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth To repair the system image, and then run SFC /scannow to fix corrupted files.
This process restores missing or damaged system files without reinstalling the operating system.

On Windows 11, issues related to the installation can often be resolved by using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool, and in this guide, I’ll outline the steps to repair your current setup.

Although DISM is a tool designed specifically to service the operating system, it also allows you to repair common Windows 11 problems using the command tool alongside System File Checker (SFC).

The tool is sometimes misunderstood, so for clarification, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool doesn’t actually repair the operating system. Instead, it repairs the local image hidden inside the setup, and then the SFC is used to scan and replace corrupted system files that can cause slow performance, random errors, and startup problems.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to fix problems with the installation of Windows 11.

Fix Windows 11 installation with DISM and SFC

If you’re experiencing issues with your current Windows 11 setup, first run DISM to repair the local image, then run SFC to replace damaged system files and restore the installation to a healthy state.

Repair Windows 11 image with DISM automatically

The DISM command has many features, but in this case, you need to use the “RestoreHealth” option to scan and fix common problems with the local image.

To use DISM commands to repair problems with the Windows 11 local image, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to repair the local image and press Enter:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```

Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will scan and replace damaged system files. The device will also need to be connected to the internet, as the tool relies on “Windows Update” to download the replacement files.

Repair Windows 11 image with DISM manually

If the utility cannot complete the repair for different reasons, including no internet access, you’ll have to provide the Windows 11 ISO file using the “Source” option to repair the image manually.

To use the operating system image with DISM to repair Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64” section.
Click the Confirm button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file.
Right-click the ISO file and choose the Mount option.
Confirm the drive letter from the left pane.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to repair the local Windows 11 image and press Enter:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:E:\Sources\install.wim /LimitAccess
```
In the command, replace E with the ISO mount point drive letter as you see it in File Explorer.

Once you complete the steps, the utility will scan and repair the local image using the “install.wim” image file from the mounted ISO file.

Repair Windows 11 problems using SFC

After the local image has been restored to a healthy condition, you can proceed to repair the operating system with the SFC command.

To use SFC to fix installation problems on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to repair the installation and press Enter:
```
SFC /scannow
```

After you complete the steps, the System File Checker will use the image that you repaired using the DISM to scan and replace corrupted files on Windows 11.

When using this tool, you may receive different scan result messages:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them: The operation was successful.
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations: The system doesn’t have any missing or corrupted system files.
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation: Perform the SFC scan in Safe Mode to resolve the issue. Also, make sure the PendingDeletes and PendingRenames folders exist in the %WinDir%\WinSxS\Temp folder.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them: Use a Windows 11 ISO file with the /source option to ensure the system image is repaired correctly.

It’s worth noting that these instructions will only repair damaged files that may be causing issues. However, this is not meant to fix system bugs, application issues, or driver problems, unless the issue is related to system files.

Alternatively, you can use the reinstallation option in the “Recovery” settings, which accomplishes the same by reinstalling the operating system using “Windows Update,” keeping your files, settings, and apps.

FAQs about fixing Windows 11 with DISM and SFC

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about fixing operating system problems using the DISM and SFC command-line tools.

What is DISM on Windows 11?

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command-line tool that scans and repairs the local Windows image used to maintain and recover system components.

Does DISM repair Windows system files directly?

No. DISM repairs the hidden Windows image. Afterward, you must run the SFC command to replace or fix corrupted system files using that repaired image.

What’s the difference between DISM and SFC?

DISM repairs the image, while SFC repairs the actual files. Running DISM first ensures SFC has a clean reference to restore system integrity.

Do I need an internet connection for DISM?

Yes, unless you manually provide a Windows 11 ISO file as the source using the /Source option.

Can I use DISM and SFC on Windows 10?

Yes, both tools also work on Windows 10 using the same command syntax.

Should I run SFC first or DISM first?

You should always run DISM before SFC.

Do DISM and SFC actually fix many problems, or is it just a myth?

They’re definitely legitimate and useful tools, but they aren’t silver bullets that fix everything.

What if DISM returns error 0x800f081f or fails to complete?

A failure usually means DISM cannot access valid repair source files (for example, corrupted component store, missing update files, blocked access).

In that case, provide the Windows 11 ISO file and use the /Source option.

How often should I run these commands for maintenance?

There’s no fixed schedule, but a common recommendation is to run when you notice symptoms (updates failing, system instability, file corruption) or after a major update.

Will DISM and SFC fix Blue Screen of Death problems?

Possibly, if the root cause is system image or file corruption. However, if the issue is driver-related, hardware failure, malware, or app-specific, then these tools may help only partially or not at all.