DISM, short for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, can repair the Windows component store. The RestoreHealth option is often used when sfc /scannow finds problems it cannot fix.
This applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Does This Affect You?
Run DISM when Windows system files are corrupted, updates fail repeatedly, or SFC reports unresolved corruption. DISM repairs the source Windows image, then SFC can use that repaired source to fix files.
Run DISM RestoreHealth Online
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run the command below.
- Expect the percentage to pause at times, especially around 20 or 40 percent. That can be normal.
- When it completes successfully, run
sfc /scannow. - Restart after both commands finish.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthUse Installation Media as the Source
- Create or mount Windows installation media matching your Windows version.
- Note the drive letter, such as D:.
- Look for
sourcesinstall.wimorsourcesinstall.esd. - Run DISM with the source path below, replacing the drive letter and file type as needed.
- If DISM asks for an index, add
:1after the WIM or ESD path and try again. - Run SFC afterward, then restart.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:D:sourcesinstall.wim /LimitAccessDISM Troubleshooting
Read the Log
DISM writes details to C:WindowsLogsDISMdism.log. Open it in Notepad and check the newest entries near the bottom.
Error 0x800f081f
This usually means DISM cannot find repair source files. Use installation media and confirm the source path is correct.
Errors 0x800f0906 or 0x800f0950
These often point to Windows Update connection or source problems. Check Windows Update health, then retry DISM.
When DISM Cannot Fix It
If DISM fails even with matching installation media, an in-place upgrade repair using Microsoft’s setup tool is usually more reliable than chasing one file at a time.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: Repair a Windows image
- Microsoft Support: Fix Windows Update errors
- Microsoft Learn: DISM command-line options