How to use DISM command tool to repair Windows 10 image

By Mauro Huculak
last updated

When there's a missing or corrupted file on Windows 10, you can fix the problem using the DISM and SFC command tools, and here's how.

Windows 10 DISM and SFC repair
Windows 10 DISM and SFC repair (Image credit: Future)
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The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) on Windows 10 is a tool that administrators use to prepare, modify, and repair system images, including Windows Recovery Environment, Windows Setup, and Windows PE (WinPE). However, you can also use it with the local recovery image to fix system issues.

Technically, when troubleshooting a specific error, figuring out why the device no longer boots correctly, or resolving performance problems, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to replace missing or corrupted system files using the recovery image. The only caveat with this approach is that if one or more Windows 10 files in the local image are damaged, the SFC command won't work. In this scenario, you can use the "install.wim" image file with DISM to repair the image and then use the SFC tool to fix the setup without having to reinstall Windows.

This how-to guide will walk you through the steps to use the DISM and SFC tools to bring a computer back from the dead to a healthy working state without reinstallation.

Warning: The commands outlined in this guide are non-destructive, but since you will be making system changes, it is still recommended to create a temporary full backup before proceeding.

How to use DISM to repair image of Windows 10

The DISM command tool includes multiple options to repair an image, including "CheckHealth," "ScanHealth," and "RestoreHealth," which you'll want to use in that order. Also, depending on the problem, you can use the "RestoreHealth" option to fix the locally available image using different source files.

DISM command with CheckHealth option

The "CheckHealth" option with the DISM tool lets you determine any corruptions inside the local Windows 10 image. However, the option does not perform any repairs.

To check the image of Windows 10 for issues with DISM, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will run and verify any data corruption that may require fixing.

DISM command with ScanHealth option

The "ScanHealth" option performs a more advanced scan to determine whether the image has any problems.

To check image problems with the ScanHealth option on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to perform an advanced DISM scan and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, the scan may take some time to check whether the Windows 10 image needs any fixing.

DISM command with RestoreHealth option

If there are problems with the system image, use DISM with the "RestoreHealth" option to automatically scan and repair common issues.

To repair Windows 10 image problems with the DISM command tool, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to repair the Windows 10 image and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Quick note: If the command appears stuck, this is normal behavior. After a few moments, the process will complete successfully.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, DISM will connect to Windows Update online to download and replace damaged files (as necessary).

Fix problems with DISM using install.wim image

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management commands typically don't cause issues. However, if the tool finds problems replacing the damaged files or the computer isn't connected to the internet, you'll have to provide another image using the "Source" option. Usually, you can use an "install.wim" or "install.esd" file from another computer, install media, or ISO file. You only need to ensure that the files match the version, edition, and language of the version of Windows 10 you are trying to fix.

Download Windows 10 ISO file

If you need to use another file source, use the Media Creation Tool to download a fresh copy of Windows 10.

To download the ISO file of Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open this Microsoft support website.
  2. Click the Download Now button.
  3. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the setup.
  4. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
  5. Select the "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" option.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Click the Next button again.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. Select the ISO file option.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Select the destination to store the Windows 10 ISO file.
  3. Click the Save button.
  4. Click the link to open the file location with File Explorer.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. Click the Finish button.
  2. Double-click the Windows.iso file to mount the image.
  3. Under the "This PC" section, confirm the drive letter for the mount point of the ISO file.

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, you can continue with the DISM tool using the "Source" option to repair the local image.

Fix Windows 10 recovery image

To run Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool with an alternate source (install.wim) image, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to repair the Windows 10 image and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:G:\Sources\install.wim

In the command, replace "G" with the ISO mount point drive letter in File Explorer.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. (Optional) Type the following command to limit the use of Windows Update and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:G\Sources\install.wim /LimitAccess
  2. (Optional) Type the following variant of the previous command to accomplish the same task and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:G:\Sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess

In the command, change "G:\Sources," for the path to the "install.wim" file.

Once you complete the steps, the command will scan and repair the problems using the "install.wim" file you specified as the alternative source.

Fix problems with DISM using ESD image

If you have an encrypted "install.esd" image, it's possible to use it to repair the damaged files on Windows 10.

To use DISM with an "install.esd" image file as the source to repair Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to repair the image with an "install.esd" file and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd

In the command, change "C:\ESD\Windows\sources" with the path to the location of the ".esd" file (if different).

(Image credit: Future)
  1. (Optional) Type the following command to limit the use of Windows Update and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd /LimitAccess
  2. (Optional) Type the following variant of the previous command to accomplish the same task and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:esd:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd:1 /LimitAccess
  3. (Optional) Type the following command to use an install.esd file located in another drive and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:E:\Sources\install.esd

In the command, replace "E:\Sources" with the path to the location of the "install.esd" file.

After you complete the steps, the tool will repair the damaged files using the files included in the "install.esd" image.

How to run SFC to repair problems on Windows 10

The above instructions will repair issues with the system image, not the problems with the system installation. After restoring the image to a healthy state, use the System File Checker command tool to repair the current setup.

To use the SFC command tool to repair Windows 10 problems, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to repair the installation and press Enter: SFC /scannow
  • Quick tip: If errors are found, you may want to run the command around three times to ensure that everything was fixed correctly.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, the System File Checker tool will repair the system files using the local image files, and the log files will be saved on "%windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log" and "%windir%\Logs\DISM\dism.log," which you can view to get more details about the process.

You can use this guide to learn more ways to use the SFC tool to fix problems on Windows 10.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.