Using Windows 7, how do I run CHKDSK?

Anonymous
2011-02-27T02:35:59+00:00

I've searched throughout the Control Panel and it's submenus and options but can find no means to initiate a scan for disk errors!

I did find chkdsk.exe in the Windows\System32 folder but when I double click it, the only response is a flash of the DOS {black, command prompt} screen! Is that the correct response?!

Is there no way to run [schedule] a scan disk [for errors] as there has been in earlier versions of Windows?!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2011-02-27T17:52:55+00:00

It's done the same way in Windows 7 as it was in earlier versions of Windows:

  1. Open the "Computer" window
  2. Right-click on the drive in question
  3. Select the "Tools" tab
  4. In the Error-checking area, click <Check Now>.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-23T19:42:44+00:00

    Go to Start>>>Computer>>>Highlight Os/C>>>Right click>>>Properties>>>Tools>>>Error Checking, Click, Check now. 

    If it does not start, then restart your computer it will run the chkdsk on reboot

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-05T14:25:06+00:00

    I found that chkdisk could not be run in standard account, had to switch to administrater.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-28T06:01:09+00:00

    When using the 'chkdsk',once it is located via the the 'properties' of the hard-drive in question, and you elected to RUN it, you have to do a REBOOT.

    For it (the 'chkdsk').......to do what it is supposed to do, to CHECK your hard-drive! On the REBOOT!

    Depending on the Size of the hard-drive, it may pay you to....go make supper. take a (long) shower, or whatever else you migh have in mind to do, as the CHKDSK process will take some time to run.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-02-27T23:43:39+00:00

    Apologies, MVP.

    Somewhere out there is a very sleep deprived, network frustration adled, response to your reply. You are quite correct the procedure for initiating the error check in Windows 7 is the same as in earlier versions.

    I hadn't thought to check that as I was irrational over these networking issues and the fact that no scan disk for errors was present in the performance & maintenance application in the control panel.

    Again, thanks for your correct response and forgive the insanity of my earlier reply.

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