Corrupt sys files

I have a Windows 8.1 laptop..

 

It has been playing up recently ( programes not responding etc ) I ran system file checker and got the following response.See attached screenshot.

 

How do I fix this problem ? as it is a laptop the Windows OS is already on the computer.

 

Any help/solution will be ver much appreciated,thank you

 

  

I don't remember if below command works for Windows 8.1 but you can execute Dism command and re-execute SFC command to repair file system errors.
 

Dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

 

A clean install of Windows is probably called for, and frankly you should install Windows 10 instead of 8.1.

Re: post #2

If you choose to do this, your computer must be connected to the internet for this to work. Run all commands from an elevated cmd prompt. What it does is verify the integrity of your Windows image. After that completes, then run:

SFC /scannow (space after SFC). That will run a check on individual system files.

More info: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/window-81-dism-online-cleanup-image-scanhealth/306f7335-09c3-42f6-8458-4983829dac06

Hi guys,sorry for the delay in answering.

I tried what FreeBooter said and got  the response that the PC does not understand that command,so I tried dsim only and recieved the following response ( see attached screenshot 0

Try repair install using Windows setup.exe file.

Edited by FreeBooter, 25 November 2023 - 01:03 AM.

Can you walk me thru how I do that please,and thank you for your help.I will not be able to try that till tomorrow.

You need to mount the newest version of Windows ISO image and double-click click the Setup.exe to start the upgrade process.

 

https://www.eightforums.com/threads/repair-install-windows-8.26095/

 

You can also refresh your Windows https://youtu.be/P2n9vahP_Zk?t=362

Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 ended in 2018.
It's both outdated and - more important - insecure.

Assuming your hardware is in good working order, you'd be better off backing up your data & then upgrading to Windows 10 via clean install.
Although support ends in October 2025, you'd at least receive important security patches until then.

Here is an excellent tutorial:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

Note: the longstanding, free upgrade path from 7 or 8.1 ended a month or so ago.

So, you'll need to buy a Windows 10 or 11 license in order to activate Windows 10.

Another option would be to move to Linux.

Edited for correction

Edited by MoxieMomma, 25 November 2023 - 04:43 AM.

@ MoxieMomma,There is NO WAY I am going to upgrade to Windows 10.I already have a Wibdows 10 PC and its the WORST PC I have ever owned.Tell me what do you like about the following Windows 10 OS.I MUST log in with user name etc even though I am the only one using this PC,and even then Windows decides if my password etc is strong enough

I MUST update before shutting down.

To un-install Safari involves a long and silly process.

So many options but only one answer for all of them ( you MUST do it )

@ FreeBooter, many thanks for that repair info,as I said before I cant try it till tuesday but I will definately try it then.Thanks again,and I will post the outcome on tuesday.

Hi:

A clean install of Win10 is likely the best & safest way out (even though the window for a *free* upgrade has recently closed; legal Win 10/11 licenses are available from reputable sources).

BUT, it's certainly 100% your choice to continue with 8.1.

Just to manage expectations for you & for anyone who might casually read this topic:

Running an obsolete, unpatched OS carries both performance problems (e.g., lack of drivers for devices, peripherals & accessories) *and* security vulnerabilities created by >5 years without patching exploits. And, over time, you'll encounter fewer & fewer 3rd-party games, software applications, browsers and websites that support 8.1.

If you use this computer for *any* online activity, you'll be increasingly susceptible to data loss, identity theft or other catastrophe.

And then there's just the age of your computer. If it's a laptop older than 5-6 years under moderate-heavy use, the hardware *may* be approaching its end of life.

So, it's IMPERATIVE to mitigate these risks by making frequent system image and driver backups. And it's even more critical to backup all your data (files, folders, documents, photos, emails, etc) to external USB hard drives and/or cloud services. Doing so increases the chance of at least partial recovery from a catastrophe.

Having said all that, as just another home user, I understand the reluctance to move on from a Windows version with which you are comfortable. And it's certainly reasonable to try the tutorial @FreeBooter provided. Perhaps other helpers will have additional suggestions.

Whatever path you choose, I respectfully urge you to backup your stuff often, to minimize risk of data loss.

I hope you successfully resolve your current issues with OS corruption.

Cheers

PS This is a good time of year to find deep discounts & deals on new computers. Experts here can assist with selecting a suitable device.

PPS FWIW all the issues you describe with your Win10 computer can be easily resolved - but that's a separate topic.

Edited by MoxieMomma, 25 November 2023 - 08:19 AM.

BTW: Just curious - is this the same laptop running Windows 8.1?

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/781877/keyboard-not-working/

If so, you may already be facing (impending) hardware failure, as mentioned in my previous reply.

Please make sure you are backing up your data often....

@ FreeBooter:

    I tried the refresh settings that you suggested and everything seems to go as planned except that once I get to the refresh your PC screen.I selected Refresh without effecting your files > "get started"

I got the following:

 A blue screen and "Some files are missing.Your Windows installation or media will provide these files"

Twords the bottom middle of the screen is a box with "cancell" in it.

And thats it.I get this far and nothing happens,I pressed "Enter" and that just took me back to the screen where I select what repair I want.There is no circle going around, to show that something is happening.It just shows that screen,It looks like it may be waiting for an input from me,but there is only "Cancell"

Now what ?  

@ MoxieMomma:

I have 3 computers,My Windows 7 desktop which I have had for years and am very happy with.My Windows 10 laptop,which I consider a complete waste of money and The Windows 8.1 laptop,which was given to me.

The problem I have with the Win 10 laptop is that you dont have any options.You MUST logon (no autologon ) I tried the command prompt netplwiz which allows you to setup automatic logon ( on any other version of Windows ( But not Win 10 ) The PC would not accept the password I put in ( it said not enough letters ) then when I tried another password,it said Not a strong enough ?( FFS,I paid for this PC,I owne this PC.....surely it should be up to me what password I choose.Then  when it comes to updates ( there is No Option,to turn windows updates off ) as there are in other versions of Windows.The only 2 options are,"Update and sleep" or "Update and turn off"

I dont know about you but when I buy/owne something,a car,a TV,A PC etc I like to be in charge of it,NOT have it "ordering" me to do certain things.