[Solved]: How to Do a Disk Check on Windows PCs?

What Does a Disk Check Do?

Over time, hard drives and SSDs may develop errors due to various reasons, such as power failures, improper shutdowns, or hardware aging. If left unchecked, these issues can slow down your PC or even lead to data loss. That’s why regularly running a disk check is essential.

Before diving into how to do a disk check, let's explore what a disk check does. Running a disk check can help detect and resolve issues that may affect your computer’s performance. Here’s what it typically involves:

👉 Detects and repairs file system errors.
👉 Finds and marks bad sectors on the disk.
👉 Checks the drive’s health for signs of failure.
👉  Identifies delays or read/write errors.
👉 Provides an overview of disk condition, temperature, and error history.

Whether you're tech-savvy or not, performing a disk check should be part of your regular PC maintenance routine.

How to Do a Disk Check?

Now that you know the importance of a disk check, let's explore three effective methods to check your disk on Windows PCs. Select the one that best suits your needs.

Way 1: Run Check Disk via CMD

If you're familiar with command lines, checking your disk using Command Prompt is a good choice. This method allows you to run CHKDSK with specific parameters for deeper scans and automatic repairs. It’s especially useful if your system fails to boot properly or you suspect serious disk errors.

Here's how to do a disk check via CMD:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. In the command prompt window, type chkdsk g: /f /r /x and press Enter (replace g if your disk letter).

Step 3: If you're checking the system drive, you'll see a message saying the scan will run the next time your PC restarts. Type Y and press Enter.

Step 4: Restart your computer and let the scan complete. 

Way 2: Run Check Disk via Partition Properties

If you’re not comfortable using commands, Windows offers another graphical tool to check your disk through File Explorer. While this method doesn’t offer deep repair options and show bad sectors like CMD, it still helps fix common file system issues.

Here's how to run a disk through Partition Properties:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and click on This PC.

Step 2: Right-click the disk you want to check and choose Properties.

Step 3: In the Properties window, go to the Tools tab and click on the Check button.

Step 4: Wait for the scan to finish. If errors are found, you’ll be prompted to fix them.

Way 3: Run Check Disk Using Free Software

The methods mentioned above work but come with some limitations. If you're looking for an easier and more comprehensive solution, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a great choice. This free third-party software combines ease of use with powerful disk repair and management features. It not only checks for file system errors but also scans for bad sectors effectively.

✔️ User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate, even for beginners.
✔️ Comprehensive disk testing tools: Perform disk speed tests, health checks, and surface scans.
✔️ All-in-one disk management: Offers a wide range of features to optimize and maintain your drives.
✔️ Broad compatibility: Fully supports Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, and 7.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Here's how to run a disk check using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

Step 1. Install the software and launch it. Right-click the partition that you want to check and select Advanced > Check Partition.

Step 2. There are 3 options to test your device. Choose one according to your needs and click OK. 

If you want to find out and repair the wrong parts on your disk, choose the first option.

Step 3: The operation will be completed successfully in a few seconds or minutes. Click OK to finish this task.

If you want to check for bad sectors, select the second option to scan your partition, or use the Disk Surface Test to scan the entire disk.

After the scan, normal and damaged sectors will be clearly displayed. You can then attempt to repair the bad sectors as needed.

Conclusion

In this post, we’ve explored how to do a disk check on Windows PCs. AOMEI Partition Assistant is highly recommended for its user-friendly design and comprehensive disk testing tools. Beyond regular disk checks, it also allows you to test the S.M.A.R.T. status of your drive, offering early warnings of potential hardware failure.