Home » Internet » How to Use DISM Command Tool in Windows 11 [Repair Windows]

Internet

How to Use DISM Command Tool in Windows 11 [Repair Windows]

Olivia Harper

October 18, 2025

0 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Windows 11 is one of Microsoft’s most advanced and secure operating systems, but like any software, it can experience problems such as corrupted system files, failed updates, or performance issues. When System File Checker (SFC) can’t fix all issues, the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) comes to the rescue. DISM is a powerful command-line utility that helps repair Windows images, restore system health, and prepare Windows for recovery or deployment.

Whether your system crashes frequently, Windows updates fail, or built-in apps don’t open correctly, DISM can diagnose and fix underlying corruption in the Windows image. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what DISM is, why it’s important, and how to use it step-by-step to repair Windows 11. You’ll also learn how to combine DISM with SFC to completely restore your PC’s performance and stability.

What is DISM in Windows 11?

DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) is a built-in command-line utility in Windows 11 used to service and prepare Windows images, including Windows Setup, Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and Windows PE. Originally designed for IT professionals and system administrators, it’s now a powerful repair tool for regular users as well.

DISM allows users to scan and fix corruption in the system image, which is the blueprint that Windows uses to install or repair files. Unlike the SFC (System File Checker) tool, which repairs individual system files, DISM works at a deeper level—it restores or replaces damaged components inside the Windows image itself.

Key operations include:

• CheckHealth – Checks whether image corruption exists.
• ScanHealth – Scans the Windows image for issues.
• RestoreHealth – Repairs the image automatically.

By repairing the Windows image, DISM ensures SFC can work effectively afterward. It’s one of the most reliable ways to resolve problems that cause slow performance, blue screens, and update errors in Windows 11.

When Should You Use DISM in Windows 11?

You should use the DISM command when your Windows 11 system shows persistent issues that regular troubleshooting can’t fix. Common signs include:

• Frequent crashes or BSODs (Blue Screen of Death).
• Windows Update errors or failures.
• Corrupted system files that SFC can’t repair.
• Slow system performance or freezing.
• Apps not opening or malfunctioning.
• Error messages like “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.”

If you have already tried SFC /scannow and it couldn’t resolve your issue, running DISM next is the recommended approach. Once DISM repairs the Windows image, running SFC again usually completes the repair successfully.

DISM is also essential before creating a system backup or installing major updates. It ensures that your system files are clean, reducing the chances of update errors or installation failures.

How to Use DISM Command Tool in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Below are detailed steps on how to use the DISM command tool effectively to repair Windows 11.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Before running DISM commands, you must open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

Here’s how:

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Type cmd or Command Prompt in the search bar.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
4. If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes.

Alternatively, you can open Windows Terminal as Administrator and switch to the Command Prompt tab.

Tip: You can also use PowerShell to run DISM commands, as it supports all the same syntax.

Once the Command Prompt is open, you’re ready to perform DISM operations.

Step 2: Check the Health of Windows Image (CheckHealth Command)

The CheckHealth command is used to determine if there’s any corruption in the Windows image. It performs a quick check without scanning deeply.

Command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Explanation:

• /Online means you’re scanning the currently running Windows installation.
• /Cleanup-Image tells DISM to clean or service the Windows image.
• /CheckHealth quickly checks if any corruption has already been flagged.

This command runs in seconds and will report one of the following:

• No component store corruption detected.
• The component store is repairable.
• The component store is not repairable.

If no corruption is found, you can stop here. However, if it reports repairable issues, proceed to the next step to perform a deeper scan.

Step 3: Perform a Detailed Health Scan (ScanHealth Command)

If CheckHealth detects possible corruption, you can perform a deeper scan using the ScanHealth command. This process takes longer, as it thoroughly checks every component of the system image.

Command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Explanation:

• This command inspects the Windows image for any corruption or inconsistencies.
• It records issues in the log file located at: C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

Depending on your system speed and disk health, this process can take 10–30 minutes. Once completed, DISM will notify you if any corruption exists.

If corruption is found, proceed to the RestoreHealth command to fix it.

Step 4: Repair Windows Image (RestoreHealth Command)

The RestoreHealth command is the most powerful DISM operation. It repairs any detected corruption automatically by downloading necessary files from Windows Update or a local source.

Command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Explanation:

• /RestoreHealth scans the system for corruption and replaces damaged files using Windows Update as the default repair source.
• Make sure your PC is connected to the internet for DISM to access Microsoft’s update servers.

This command may take 15–45 minutes, depending on your system and network speed. Once completed, you’ll see:

“The restore operation completed successfully. The component store corruption was repaired.”

If you get an error like “The source files could not be found,” it means DISM couldn’t retrieve repair files. In that case, use a local source (as explained below).

Step 5: Use a Local Source for Repair (Advanced Option)

If Windows Update isn’t working, you can use a Windows 11 ISO file or installation media as a local repair source.

Steps:

Download the Windows 11 ISO:

• Visit the Microsoft Windows 11 download page.
• Download the ISO file and mount it by right-clicking → Mount.

Note the Drive Letter:

• The mounted drive (e.g., D:) contains the sources\install.wim or install.esd file.

Run DISM with Local Source:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:D:\sources\install.wim /LimitAccess

Explanation:

• /Source specifies the path to the Windows image file.
• /LimitAccess prevents DISM from using Windows Update.

Tip: If your ISO has install.esd, use /Source:D:\sources\install.esd:1 instead.

This method is ideal for offline repairs or when your PC can’t connect to the internet.

Step 6: Run SFC After DISM

After using DISM to repair the Windows image, it’s recommended to run System File Checker (SFC) to verify and fix any remaining issues.

Command:

sfc /scannow

Explanation:

• SFC checks all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with the correct ones from the repaired Windows image.
• This ensures your operating system is fully stable and error-free.

Once completed, restart your PC. Most system errors, crashes, and update failures should now be resolved.

Common DISM Errors and Fixes

Sometimes DISM may fail to run correctly due to network problems, corrupted logs, or missing source files. Here are some common errors and their fixes:

If none of these methods work, consider resetting Windows Update components or running the DISM tool in Safe Mode.

Using DISM in Safe Mode

If DISM or SFC can’t complete normally due to active processes or background conflicts, you can run DISM in Safe Mode.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → Go to System > Recovery.
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
3. After reboot, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
4. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
5. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
6. Run your DISM commands (CheckHealth, ScanHealth, or RestoreHealth).

Running DISM in Safe Mode ensures fewer background interruptions and a higher success rate for image repairs.

How to View DISM Logs

DISM records every operation in a log file, which is extremely helpful for troubleshooting.

Log File Location:

C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

You can open it using Notepad:

1. Press Windows + R, type: notepad C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log
2. Press Enter.

The log file provides detailed information about which components were repaired, skipped, or failed. If DISM fails, check this file for error codes and line references to understand the cause.

Tips for Using DISM Effectively

Here are some practical tips for making the most of DISM:

• Always run as Administrator to avoid permission errors.
• Backup your data before performing major repairs.
• Ensure a stable internet connection if you’re using Windows Update as the repair source.
• Use the ISO method if your PC is offline or Windows Update fails.
• Run SFC after DISM for complete system integrity.
• Keep your system updated to prevent image corruption.
• Regular Maintenance: Running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup periodically helps remove outdated files and keep the system image healthy.

Pro Tip: The /StartComponentCleanup command can also reduce disk space usage by deleting old Windows Update files.

Difference Between DISM and SFC

While both tools help repair Windows, they work differently:

In simple terms:

• DISM repairs the image.
• SFC repairs the files using that image.

Using both together ensures complete system repair.

Conclusion

The DISM command tool is one of the most powerful built-in utilities in Windows 11 for repairing corrupted system images and restoring performance. When combined with SFC, it can resolve most system-related errors, including failed updates, missing files, or unexplained crashes.

Running DISM regularly can keep your system healthy, especially before major updates or installations. Whether you use it with Windows Update or a local ISO, DISM gives you deep control over the repair and maintenance of your Windows environment.

If your Windows 11 PC is running slow, showing errors, or failing to update properly, don’t panic—try the DISM and SFC combination first. It’s safe, reliable, and often the best solution for keeping your system running smoothly.

FAQs

Q1. Can I run DISM without an internet connection?
Yes. You can use a Windows 11 ISO or installation USB as a local repair source using the /Source parameter.

Q2. Is it safe to run DISM commands?
Absolutely. DISM is a Microsoft-developed tool designed to repair system files safely. It won’t harm your data.

Q3. How long does DISM take to run?
Depending on your system speed and internet connection, it can take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes.

Q4. Should I run SFC before or after DISM?
You should run DISM first, then SFC /scannow afterward. This ensures all corrupted components are fully repaired.