A corrupted hard drive can be a frustrating experience for any Windows 10 user. It can lead to data loss, system instability, and even render your computer unusable. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to fix a corrupted hard drive on Windows 10.
Before we delve into the steps to fix a corrupted hard drive, it is important to understand what causes this issue.
A corrupted hard drive can happen due to several reasons, including bad sectors, malware or virus attacks, power surges, and improper shutdowns. In some cases, a corrupted hard drive can also be a sign of hardware failure.
Here are some easy steps to fix a corrupted hard drive on Windows 10:
Run a disk check:
One of the easiest ways to fix a corrupted hard drive is to run a disk check.
To do this, open File Explorer and select the drive that you want to check. Right-click on the drive and select Properties. In the Properties window, go to the Tools tab and click on the Check button. This will start the disk check process, which can take several minutes to complete.
Use the chkdsk command:
Another way to fix a corrupted hard drive is to use the chkdsk command.
To do this, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: chkdsk /f /r. This command will scan the drive for errors and attempt to fix them.
Use third-party tools:
If the above methods do not work, you can try using third-party tools to fix a corrupted hard drive. There are several tools available that can help you recover data from a corrupted drive and fix the corruption. Some of the popular ones include Recuva, Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery, and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
Use the System File Checker:
The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in utility in Windows that can scan for and fix corrupt system files. To use it, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: sfc /scannow. This will start the scanning process, which can take several minutes to complete. If the SFC finds any corrupt system files, it will automatically fix them.
Use the DISM tool:
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is another built-in utility in Windows that can fix a corrupted hard drive. To use it, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This will start the DISM scanning process, which can take several minutes to complete. If the DISM finds any corruption, it will automatically fix it.
Perform a clean install of Windows:
If none of the above methods work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows. This will erase all the data on your hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. To do this, you will need to create a bootable USB drive or DVD and use it to boot your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the clean install.
In conclusion, a corrupted hard drive can be a frustrating experience for any Windows 10 user. However, there are several easy ways to fix this issue. You can try running a disk check, using the chkdsk command, using third-party tools, using the System File Checker, using the DISM tool, or performing a clean install of Windows. These steps should help you fix a corrupted hard drive and get your computer running smoothly again.