How to fix corrupted files on windows 10​?

File corruption is a common issue that many Windows 10 users face. Corrupted files can result from sudden power outages, system crashes, malware infections, or bad sectors on the hard drive. When files become corrupted, they may become unreadable or unusable, potentially leading to data loss. Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several built-in tools and third-party solutions to help repair and recover corrupted files. 

1. Use the System File Checker (SFC) Tool

Windows 10 includes the System File Checker (SFC) tool, which scans and repairs corrupted system files.

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by typing cmd in the search bar, right-clicking it, and selecting “Run as administrator.”

Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the process to complete. If corrupt files are found, SFC will attempt to repair them automatically.

Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

2. Run the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM)

If the SFC tool does not resolve the issue, you can use the DISM tool to repair the Windows image.

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Allow the process to complete (this may take several minutes).

Restart your computer and run sfc /scannow again to ensure all corrupt files are fixed.

3. Check and Repair Hard Drive Errors with CHKDSK

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a Windows utility that scans the file system and repairs logical errors.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

/f fixes errors on the disk.

/r locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

/x forces the drive to dismount before scanning.

If prompted, type Y and press Enter to schedule the scan on the next restart.

Restart your computer to allow CHKDSK to scan and repair your drive.

4. Use Windows File Recovery (for Personal Files)

If personal files (documents, photos, videos) are corrupted, you can use Windows File Recovery, a free tool available in the Microsoft Store.

Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Run the following command to recover files from a specific drive:

winfr C: D: /regular

Replace C: with the drive containing the corrupted files and D: with the recovery destination.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the recovery.

5. Restore Files from a Backup

If you have previously created a backup, you can restore files from it:

Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Backup and Restore (Windows 7).”

Click “Restore my files” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Select the files you want to restore and specify the recovery location.

6. Use Previous Versions to Restore Files

Windows 10 allows you to restore previous versions of files if File History is enabled.

Right-click the corrupted file or folder and select Properties.

Navigate to the Previous Versions tab.

Select a previous version from the list and click Restore.

7. Repair Corrupt Files with Third-Party Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery tool designed to repair and restore corrupted files efficiently. Whether your documents, photos, videos, or system files have become inaccessible due to unexpected crashes, malware attacks, or file transfer errors, Panda Assistant provides an intuitive and effective solution.

Using advanced file repair algorithms, Panda Assistant scans damaged files and reconstructs missing or corrupted data, ensuring maximum recovery success. It supports a wide range of file formats, including DOCX, XLSX, MP4. JPEG, and more, making it an all-in-one solution for users facing data integrity issues.

8. Perform a Windows System Restore

If the corruption issue started recently, you can restore your system to a previous working state.

Type “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and select it.

Click on “System Restore.”

Choose a restore point from before the corruption occurred and follow the on-screen instructions.

9. Reset Windows 10 Without Losing Files

If the corruption issue is severe, resetting Windows may be necessary.

Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.

Under Reset this PC, click “Get started.”

Choose Keep my files to prevent data loss.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Preventing File Corruption in the Future

To minimize the risk of file corruption, follow these best practices:

Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Prevent power loss-related corruption.

Keep Your System Updated: Regular Windows updates fix vulnerabilities and system errors.

Use Reliable Antivirus Software: Protects against malware-induced corruption.

Avoid Forceful Shutdowns: Always shut down your PC properly.

Backup Important Data Regularly: Use external drives or cloud storage.

Monitor Your Hard Drive Health: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo to detect failing drives.

Enable File History or Backup Solutions: Ensure you have restore points for critical files.