How To Run Chkdsk Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide For PC Health

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6 min. read

Published on November 8, 2025

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Chkdsk, short for Check Disk, is a vital utility built into Windows 10 that helps maintain the health and stability of your PC’s file system. This tool scans your hard drives for errors, such as bad sectors, file system inconsistencies, and metadata corruption, and attempts to repair them. Regularly running Chkdsk can prevent data loss, system crashes, and other frustrating issues.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to running Chkdsk on your Windows 10 computer. Whether you’re a seasoned PC user or a beginner, you’ll learn how to use Chkdsk effectively to keep your system running smoothly and protect your valuable data.

What Are The Steps To Run Chkdsk on Windows 10?

Running Chkdsk from the Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar.
Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results.
Select “Run as administrator.”
Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.

Type the Chkdsk command.

Enter chkdsk /f X: (replace X with the drive letter you want to check). The /f parameter tells Chkdsk to fix any errors it finds.
To also locate bad sectors and attempt to recover readable information, use the /r parameter instead of /f: chkdsk /r X:
Press Enter.

Schedule Chkdsk to run on the next restart (if applicable).

If the drive you’re checking is in use (usually the C: drive), you’ll see a message asking if you want to schedule Chkdsk to run the next time you restart your computer.
Type Y for “Yes” and press Enter.
Restart your computer. Chkdsk will run before Windows loads.

Let Chkdsk complete the scan and repair process.

During the scan, Chkdsk will display its progress and any errors it finds.
Do not interrupt the process. It may take a while, depending on the size of your drive and the number of errors.

Running Chkdsk from File Explorer

Open File Explorer.

Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or press Windows key + E.

Right-click on the drive you want to check.

In the left pane, click “This PC.”
Right-click on the drive you want to check (e.g., C:).

Select “Properties.”

Click on the “Tools” tab.

Click the “Check” button under the “Error checking” section.
Choose whether to scan the drive.

If Windows detects no errors, it will suggest that you don’t need to scan the drive. You can still click “Scan drive” to perform a manual check.
If Windows detects errors, it will automatically start the scan.

Schedule a restart if necessary.

If the drive is in use, you’ll be prompted to schedule a restart. Click “Schedule disk check” and restart your computer.

Understanding Chkdsk Parameters

/f: Fixes errors on the disk.
/r: Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. Includes the functionality of /f.
/x: Forces the volume to dismount first, if necessary.
/b: NTFS only: Re-evaluates bad clusters on the volume.
/v: Displays the name of each file in every directory as the disk is checked.

Tips for Running Chkdsk

Back up your data: Before running Chkdsk, it’s always a good idea to back up your important files. While Chkdsk is designed to repair errors, there’s a small chance that it could cause data loss in certain situations.
Close all other programs: Make sure to close all other programs before running Chkdsk, especially if you’re running it on the C: drive. This will help ensure that Chkdsk can run smoothly and without interruption.
Be patient: Chkdsk can take a long time to complete, especially if you’re running it on a large drive or if there are many errors. Don’t interrupt the process, even if it seems like it’s taking forever.
Check the event logs: After Chkdsk completes, you can check the event logs to see a detailed report of the scan. To do this, open Event Viewer, expand “Windows Logs,” and click “Application.” Look for events with the source “Chkdsk.”

Ensuring Your PC’s Ongoing Health

Regularly running Chkdsk is a proactive step toward maintaining the health of your Windows 10 system. By identifying and repairing disk errors early, you can prevent more serious problems down the road and keep your PC running at its best.

FAQ

How long does Chkdsk take to run? The duration depends on the size of the drive, the number of files, and the extent of errors. It can range from a few minutes to several hours.

Can I use my computer while Chkdsk is running? If you schedule Chkdsk to run on the next restart, you cannot use your computer until it completes. If you run it on a non-system drive, you might be able to continue using your computer, but performance may be affected.

What does Chkdsk /f do? The /f parameter tells Chkdsk to fix any errors it finds on the disk.

What does Chkdsk /r do? The /r parameter locates bad sectors on the disk and attempts to recover readable information. It also includes the functionality of /f.

Is it safe to interrupt Chkdsk? It’s generally not recommended to interrupt Chkdsk. Doing so could potentially lead to data loss or further file system corruption.

Chkdsk Parameters Compared

Parameter	Description	Includes /f Functionality?
`/f`	Fixes errors on the disk.	No
`/r`	Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.	Yes
`/x`	Forces the volume to dismount first, if necessary.	No
`/b`	NTFS only: Re-evaluates bad clusters on the volume.	No
`/v`	Displays the name of each file in every directory as the disk is checked.	No

Keeping Your System Error-Free

By following these steps and understanding the different Chkdsk parameters, you can effectively use this built-in Windows 10 utility to maintain the health and stability of your PC’s file system, safeguarding your data and ensuring a smooth computing experience.