The Error: Windows Has Detected File System Corruption
“I tried to perform a system restore on my Acer with Windows 7 installed. However, I
got an error message during restoring: Windows has detected file system corruption
on local disk (C:), you must check for errors before restoring. And there is a link
beneath which says Check the disk for errors. I clicked it and was asked to schedule
disk check. Rebooted my computer and it did nothing. Help please.”
Some user reports that system restore failed due to file system corruption on Windows
7, Windows 10 and Windows Vista. Similar error messages are: “The local disk (C:)
has errors” and “The disk OS (C:) has errors. Windows has detected file system
corruption on OS (C:). You must check the disk for errors before it can be
restored”.
Facing such errors, what should you do? In the first place, you may want to know what
caused those troubles and what the quickest solutions for the error are.
Causes for File System Corruption Error
There are some possible reasons that account for the file system corruption error.
But these two factors may be the main force. One factor is the file system of the
system drive/partition is corrupted or damaged, which prevents the drive from
reading and writing normally. The other is damaged Windows system files.
Surely, bad sectors on the disk are likely to result in the same problem. You need to
choose fixes according to different situations. Let’s get to know these solutions
one by one.
Fixes for File System Corruption on Local Disk C in Windows 7/10
Following are several ways that will solve aforementioned error caused by different
reasons. See if they are helpful.
Tips: If you cannot log into Windows and lift up Command Prompt
normally, get into the Advanced Boot Options page by keep tapping
F8 after power up. Then, go Repair Your Computer> Command
Prompt.
Check Windows System Files
System File Checker tool will scan and repair missing or corrupted system files in
Windows. Following are steps of checking system files in Windows 7/10.
1. Type command prompt in the Search box, find Command Prompt from the list, right
click it and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Wait for the process to be
completed. If you get this message: Windows Resource Protection did not find any
integrity violations, back after the checking. It means there is nothing wrong with
your system files.

Check Bad Sectors
As covered, bad sectors will cause file system corruption error as well, so it is
important to perform a disk check. CHKDSK scans your hard drive for errors and bad
sectors. The chkdsk /f will automatically fix problems that have found on your
system.
Press Windows key and R key to open Run.
Type cmd and click OK. Run as
administrator, otherwise, you’ll get access denied error.
Type chkdsk c: /f and hit Enter.

Usually, you’ll receive the message which says: Chkdsk cannot run because the volume
is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked
the next time the system restarts? (Y/N). Input Y and hit Enter, and your computer
will restart to complete scanning.
If you perform disk check as instructed successfully, you may get this prompting:
Windows has found errors on this drive that need to be repaired, close this dialogue
box and repair drive. Then, let it repair.
Tips:
Run Disk Defragment in CMD
On hard disk drive (HDD), you can run disk defragment from Command Prompt to see if
that’s the problem. To fix Windows has detected file system corruption in Windows 7,
open Command Prompt and type defrag.exe c: -a and press Enter. You
can replace drive letter C with any other letter if you need to.

It is not suggested to run disk defragment on SSD due to its different internal
composition. For more information about why you cannot defragment SSD and something
you need pay attention to, please visit SSD defragment.
Tips: If you encounter Disk defragment not responding, it could be
the affecting of corrupted files, folders, or bad sectors on the hard disk. Run
CHKDSK /f to scan and fix errors, and try again.
Format with New File System
When get into the trouble “Windows has detected file system corruption on system
restore”, you can reformat system partition completely with a brand new file system,
even a different one in some cases.
AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is free
partition manager that will assist you format system drive thoroughly. It provides
feature of creating bootable Win PE device, so that you can do formatting without
booting your Windows. Free download to have a try.
Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista supported.
Important: this operation will make your computer unbootable since
the system is reformatted. Back
up important files before formatting.
Tips: to make bootable media, you may want to prepare an USB drive
or a CD/DVD disc.
1. Connect the USB stick to your computer and make sure it is detected. Install and
run AOMEI Partition Assistant.
2. Click on Make Bootable Media and follow the wizard to complete
creating. You may need to download and install Windows AIK if there is no AIK
detected on your system.

3. Remove the USB drive on completion. Shut down your computer, insert the bootable
USB and boot from that device. You’ll find AOMEI Partition Assistant after logging
in. Start it.
4. Right click C drive and select Format Partition. Choose file
system at the next window.

5. Click Apply and then Proceed to execute the
operation.
Tips: to format other partition that has no Windows installed, there
is no need to create bootable device.
Summary
When you get “Windows has detected file system corruption” error on system restore,
do not worry too much. Check and scan to see if it is the problem of Windows system
files, bad sectors or partition file system. Just find the cure accordingly.