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
    2014-08-09T20:50:00+00:00

    in, fact, I am in that program now and there is no "Tools' tab.

    So, your answer is wrong.

    In other words, "Been there, done that, NO SUCH THING."

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-12T19:43:51+00:00

    So with Windows 7 I have two problems.

    1.  Using the TOOLS tab under properties for Drive C:, I am prompted to choose to run the disk check program the next time I restart.  When I restart, I the message "A disk check has been scheduled.  To skip disk checking, press any key within 10 seconds." appears.  Then, without touching anything, I get the message "A disk check has been scheduled.  Disk checking has been cancelled.".  Windows then starts normally.

    2.  When using a command prompt, and running CHKDSK C: /F or CHKDSK C: /R I get the same results as above. When running CHKDSK C:, I get the message "WARNING!  F parameter not specified.  Running CHKDSK in read only mode."  The program then appears to start running.  It completes step one of 3 and starts step 2 of 3.  It gets to "70% complete.  (462297 of 497838 index entries processed) and has been hanging there for a couple of hours.

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  3. LemP 74,970 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2014-08-12T22:05:36+00:00

    So with Windows 7 I have two problems.

    1.  Using the TOOLS tab under properties for Drive C:, I am prompted to choose to run the disk check program the next time I restart.  When I restart, I the message "A disk check has been scheduled.  To skip disk checking, press any key within 10 seconds." appears.  Then, without touching anything, I get the message "A disk check has been scheduled.  Disk checking has been cancelled.".  Windows then starts normally.

    2.  When using a command prompt, and running CHKDSK C: /F or CHKDSK C: /R I get the same results as above. When running CHKDSK C:, I get the message "WARNING!  F parameter not specified.  Running CHKDSK in read only mode."  The program then appears to start running.  It completes step one of 3 and starts step 2 of 3.  It gets to "70% complete.  (462297 of 497838 index entries processed) and has been hanging there for a couple of hours.

    I haven't tested the following myself, but apparently in some cases a "phantom keypress" appears to cancel CHKDSK.  Setting the countdown timer to 0 (it is normally 10 seconds) seems to have enabled people with this problem to run CHKDSK.

    Open an Elevated Command Prompt (right-click on cmd.exe and "Run as administrator")

    Type the following commands and press Enter after each line

        chkntfs /d

        chkntfs /t:0

        chkdsk /f

    The command chkntfs /d simply resets CHKDSK to its default settings.  Chkntfs /t:0 sets the countdown timer to 0 seconds.

    References:

    http://mikebeach.org/2011/09/25/windows-chkdsk-at-boot-cancelled-by-phantom-keypress/

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/d78e4aaf-e506-43d1-bb01-89216bfba24b/cant-run-chkdsk-on-windows-7-chkdsk-cancels-1-second-into-count-down?forum=w7itproperf [NOLT the post marked as the Answer; see the Monday, October 03, 2011 1:34 AM post by BobMyc2]

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-20T17:34:46+00:00

    2 1/2. Select Properties

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