Repair Corrupted Windows 7, 8 & 10 System Files Using the System DISM Tool

Time to share another useful Microsoft Windows command-line utility tool. If you have experienced the "Blue Screen of Death", a crash, service pack installation failure, windows update failures or observed general Windows system file corruption error messages, then this utility tool might be useful to you.

Many common Windows Update errors which result from new system file corruption can be corrected using the Windows DISM.exe tool. Failed application or update installs often result in corruption of some of the system files. These utilities are designed to detect corrupted file and repair them. It targets the currently running operating system for repair. The DISM tool must be run from the Windows Command prompt (cmd), with an account that has administrator privileges using " Run as administrator ".

DISM = Windows "Deployment Image Servicing and Management" tool.

• Before using any software utility program, make sure you first have permission and authorization to do so. Most Importantly of all: Back up your system programs and any data files before using any utilities such as this one. Create a Restore Point to protect the basic settings too. Do this now. Take precautions before using any utility programs and do so at your own risk. You are responsible for your data, programs and computer.
  

• Please make sure you have reviewed my earlier article on how to run the System File Checker (SFC) tool first. The SFC tool scans Windows operating system files for corruption AND restores any found corrupted files, all automatically! The SFC often quickly corrects many system errors and I always run that utility first. DISM is more thorough, but takes more time to run.

• Before using the DISM (or SFC) utilities, set a new restore point using the very useful "Restore Point" feature found in Windows (discussed in an earlier post). Make sure you have enough time available for the computer to run this utility (overnight is best). Once started, it will show a progress bar. Do not interrupt the process.
  

To run the DISM.exe utility, close down all applications for now. Make sure your account has Administrator privileges, then open up the Command Prompt using the " Run as administrator " option (you must do this so the system32 path is selected). 

At the command line prompt, Type the command line below (make sure to include the spaces, exactly as shown): 

 DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth  

 Optionally, for some O/S enter:  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth 

The screen should show " Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool " with the version #. Image Version plus some [ ] showing the progress. When it is finished, it should report that "The operation completed successfully". Type 'EXIT' to close the Command Prompt screen, then Reboot your computer.

 

 

References:

1.  Microsoft Windows Support Page:

Fix Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool 

 

2.  If you encounter "error 87", then please confirm you have: typed the command line as shown; are running the cmd "as administrator"; have applied all new or pending Windows Updates and have run the SFC tool first. If you continue to see the error, then refer to Microsoft's knowledge base for additional tips.

Resetting or Clearing the TCP/IP stack to Resolve Connection Problems

• Warning: These commands should only be used by experienced users who both accept and understand the risks involved. Before using any system commands or utilities, please backup all systems, programs, applications, data and files.

BACKGROUND: A TCP/IP Stack Reset or 'clearing' will flush the computer’s stored Internet Protocol settings back to their default values. Flushing or resetting these values may solve some types of Internet connection issues where screen messages such as; "This Site Can’t be Reached” or “Unable to Connect to the Internet” are observed. 

EXAMPLE 1: To reset the TCP/IP stack in Windows O/S, you can use the Command Prompt. You MUST use and run the Command (CMD) prompt screen with Administrator's Privileges (or it may not work). 

   In Windows 10 O/S, from the CMD prompt screen, type and run the following commands:

•     netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
•     netsh int ip reset and press Enter. (*this command rewrites two registry keys)
•     ipconfig /release and press Enter.
•     ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
•     ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

•  Exit out of the CMD screen (exit) and recheck your connection. A re-boot, restart should not be needed.

  

   In Windows 7 O/S, from the CMD prompt screen, type and run:

• netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt 
• Exit the CMD.
• Restart the computer and check your connection.

EXAMPLE 2: For most MacOS, the TCP/IP stack reset can be run by renewing the DHCP Lease.

• Click on System Preferences then Network. Click on the Internet connection with status Connected. Next, click the Advanced button. Open up the TCP/IP menu and click on Renew DHCP Lease followed by the OK button.

Useful Windows Command Line Programs and Shortcuts

• Warning: These commands and shortcuts should only be used by experienced users who both accept and understand the risks involved. Please backup all systems, programs, applications, data and files before using any utility program or command line.

Command Names:

Command Line Shortcut (to exit from the command line, type exit):

            cmd

View Network Address (shows your local IP address)

ipconfig

View IP address Routes (shows Interface list with IPv4 and IPv6 Route Tables)

            netstat –r

Ping an Address or Host (From the command prompt, type "ping" followed by the IP or name)
           
           ping hostname     ( e.g. ping 192.168.254.01 )
           ping IP address    ( e.g. ping chiralizer.com )

Find Devices on Network (shows device IP and MAC address. *Useful when you know the MAC address but not the IP it was assigned to)

            arp -a

System Config:

            msconfig

Windows Version:

            winver

Add Hardware Wizard:

            hdwwiz

Control Panel Shortcut:

            control

Device Manager Shortcut:

            devmgmt

Disk Cleanup:

            cleanmgr

Display:

            dpiscaling

Print Manager Shortcut:

            printmanagement

Windows Explorer Shortcut:

            explorer