Is it good or bad to run sfc routinely?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anode
  • Start date Start date
A

Anode

If system file checker does what it says it does, viz. repairs corrupted
Windows files, is there any reason why it should not be run routinely, just
in case there is something faulty there that has not become apparent yet?



If sfc operates on system files, is it correct to think it leaves alone the
boot files that run before Windows starts?



Regards.
 
I have run sfc /scannow periodically on Windows XP. However, it depends on
who built your system.

Nearly every Windows XP Media Center Edition version, has problems with sfc
/scannow, because it's looking for certian DLL files which are not there.
Keeps asking for you to place Windows XP CD in CD-ROM drive. It's just a
pain.

I have run sfc /scannow on Windows XP Pro, and have had no problems.

It's mainly for determining if your system is totally in sync. Once you
lose the Windows XP, or remove the ServicePackFiles folder, then sfc
/scannow will no longer work.
 
One more note that I have noticed: If any of your drivers are not MS
Certified (happened with Video drivers for me, not sure what others are
effected,) and Windows has a compatible driver to dump in it's place, it
will replace your existing driver file with a compatible certified match to
your hardware...

It replaced my nVidia driver for my video card with the Windows Standard
video driver... What a mess that made! Took me a little while to figure
out what had happened. Nasty 800x600 screen on a 19.1" viewable monitor just
wasn't pretty at all! I had to reinstall my drivers so I could set my
resolution and refresh rates back to where they were supposed to be, along
with getting my dual screen setup to work properly.
 
Be careful what you assume.
Generally any tool will not cause problems when used.
But running SFC without a specific need is asking for trouble.
"just in case" something may be wrong can be a mistake unless you have
reason to believe something is wrong.

If everything is fine, there is only one way to go and if SFC hiccups, you
know which way that is.
 
Thank you all for your information - you may have saved me from considerable
trouble.

Anode.
 
I certainly wouldn't use it on a regular basis. It's better just to use it
when you need it.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

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