How to Create a Bootable CHKDSK

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The Windows CHKDSK command detects and repairs errors or bad sectors of your computer's hard drive. You can run the process directly from Windows or with the Windows Setup disc. If you don't have the disc because Windows came preloaded on the computer, instead you can create a bootable system repair disk that allows you to access system recovery options, including the CHKDSK command.

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Step 1

Right-click the Windows button on the desktop taskbar. Select Control Panel from the jump menu.

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Step 2

Type backup and restore in the Control Panel search field. Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) from the search results. This utility gives Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 computers access to the legacy system repair tool.

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Step 3

Select Create a system repair disk from the menu on the left. Enter your Windows login credentials when prompted.

Step 4

Select the CD/DVD drive from the drop-down menu and click the Create disc button. Once complete, you will have a fully bootable disk capable of running the CHKDSK command.

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Step 5

Insert the System Repair disk into the CD/DVD drive. Restart the computer to boot into the disk. Select your language in the on-screen prompt.

Step 6

Click Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options menu.

Step 7

Enter chkdsk C:/r and press the Enter key to scan and repair your hard drive from the disk.

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