What are Windows found errors?
Windows found errors refer to disk errors detected by the operating system’s CHKDSK utility. When scanning a drive, CHKDSK looks for issues like bad sectors, corrupted files, directory errors, and lost clusters. If any problems are found that might cause data loss or system instability, Windows will display a message saying “We found errors on this drive that need to be repaired.”
Some common causes of Windows found errors include:
– Bad sectors on the hard drive from aging or physical damage (Source)
– Corrupted system files from unexpected shutdowns or malware (Source)
– Failing hardware like RAM, motherboard, or hard drive issues
The effects of disk errors can range from minor glitches to complete system failure. At minimum, Windows found errors may cause occasional crashing or freezing. More severe problems can lead to an inability to boot, missing files and folders, or total data loss. So it’s important to address any reported disk errors right away before the damage spreads.
Identifying the cause
When the “Windows found errors on this drive” message appears, the first step is to diagnose the potential cause. The Windows Event Viewer can provide helpful clues, as it logs various system events and errors. Look for critical events around the timeframe when the message appeared, related to disk failures or corrupt files (1).
Tools like CHKDSK and SFC can also help identify issues. CHKDSK scans the drive and looks for file system errors, bad sectors, and lost clusters. SFC scans Windows system files and replaces corrupted ones with a cached copy. Run these utilities and review the logs for any reported problems or errors (2).
Also look at any recent changes, updates or new software installed around the timeframe of the error appearing. Reversing those changes may resolve the errors if they introduced a compatibility problem or conflict.
Fixing disk errors
One of the most common ways to fix disk errors on Windows is by running the CHKDSK utility. CHKDSK scans the drive for file system errors and bad sectors, and then attempts to repair any issues it finds. To run CHKDSK, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “chkdsk /f” (source: CHKDSK /F /R /X Commands to Scan & Fix Hard Drives). The “/f” parameter tells CHKDSK to fix any errors it finds. You can also add “/r” to locate bad sectors and “/x” to dismount the drive first if needed.
If CHKDSK is unable to repair the disk errors, it may indicate a failing hard drive. Replacing the HDD or SSD can often resolve recurrent disk errors. Make sure to backup your data first before replacing any hardware. Checking the S.M.A.R.T. status of the drive using a tool like CrystalDiskInfo can help confirm if the disk is failing.
Corrupt system files can also sometimes cause Windows found errors. Running the System File Checker tool (SFC /scannow) may be able to repair damaged system files (source: How to use the Check Disk tool to repair your hard drive). Backing up and reinstalling Windows is another option if system file corruption is severe.
Fixing corrupt system files
One of the most common ways to fix Windows found errors is by using the System File Checker (SFC) tool. SFC scans Windows system files and replaces corrupted, damaged, or missing ones with a cached copy located in a compressed folder at C:\Windows\WinSxS. To run SFC:
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window by searching for Command Prompt, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow
SFC will scan all protected system files and replace any corrupted ones [1]. This can fix many Windows found errors.
If SFC is unable to fix all corrupt files, you may need to extract a good copy from your Windows installation media. Insert the disc or USB drive and type the following command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This will replace damaged system files from the installation media [2]. Running SFC and DISM scans can fix many corrupt system files causing Windows found errors.
Fixing bad sectors
Bad sectors are areas on a hard drive that can no longer store data reliably due to physical damage or corruption. Windows may detect bad sectors during its regular scans and attempt repairs automatically. If the problems persist, you can use the CHKDSK utility to scan for and repair bad sectors.
To run CHKDSK, open the Command Prompt as administrator and type “chkdsk C: /f /r” (replace C: with the letter of your system drive if needed). This scans the drive and attempts to repair any bad sectors. You may need to schedule the scan to run on next reboot if the drive is currently in use.
If CHKDSK is unable to repair the bad sectors, the hard drive hardware itself may be failing. At this point, you will need to consider formatting the drive or replacing the failing hardware entirely to resolve the issue. Formatting erases all data but can remap bad sectors. Replacing the hard drive allows you to start fresh without any bad sectors.
As a last resort before formatting, you can try using third party tools like HDD Regenerator to repair bad sectors. But if the hardware damage is too extensive, a replacement hard drive is the definitive solution.
References:
[How to repair bad sectors of hdd (Microsoft Answers)](https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-repair-bad-sectors-of-hdd/43da372e-56e9-47aa-890e-af262706fde0)
[Bad Sector Repair on Windows 10 (DiskPart)](https://www.diskpart.com/windows-10/bad-sector-repair-windows-10.html)
Troubleshooting startup issues
If Windows is having trouble starting up normally, there are a few advanced startup options and tools you can try to diagnose and fix the issue:
Advanced startup options like Safe Mode – You can access advanced startup options by holding down the Shift key while clicking Restart in Windows. This will bring up the troubleshooting menu where you can boot into Safe Mode or other diagnostic modes. Safe Mode loads Windows with only the bare essential drivers and services, allowing you to troubleshoot problems.
Startup repair tool – The startup repair tool can be accessed from the advanced startup options. It will automatically scan and try to diagnose and fix startup issues. The tool tries to automatically fix boot problems, repair damaged system files, etc. [1]
System file checker – The system file checker or SFC scans Windows system files for corruption and restores them to their correct version. You can run SFC from an elevated Command Prompt. It may find and replace damaged system files causing startup failure. [2]
Reinstalling Windows
If all else fails, reinstalling Windows may resolve the ‘Windows found errors’ issue. Before reinstalling, it is crucial to backup all personal data to an external drive to avoid permanent data loss. There are a couple reinstallation methods to try:
First, boot from the Windows installation media and choose the repair option. This will attempt to fix corrupt system files while preserving your apps and data. Refer to Microsoft’s guide on using installation media to reinstall Windows 10: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reinstall-windows-d8369486-3e33-7d9c-dccc-859e2b022fc7
If the repair option is unsuccessful, the next step is a clean install, which will format the drive and do a fresh Windows installation. This will wipe all apps and settings, but preserve your data if stored separately. Make sure to backup any important data before proceeding.
A clean install offers the best chance to eliminate quirky system errors. Follow the prompts when booted from the install media to complete the process. Reinstalling Windows in this manner often resolves persistent ‘Windows found errors’.
Replacing failing hardware
If the hard drive itself is failing, it can cause the “Windows found errors” message. There are a few ways to identify if the HDD or SSD is faulty:
- Make sure your drive has the latest firmware installed. Check with your manufacturer for updates.
- Run the drive manufacturer’s diagnostics tool to check for issues. Seagate’s SeaTools or Western Digital’s Data Lifeguard can scan for bad sectors.
- Monitor the S.M.A.R.T. status using tools like Speccy or CrystalDiskInfo. This gives insight into the drive’s health.
- Listen for unusual clicking or grinding noises which can indicate a mechanical failure.
If you confirm the hard drive is failing, replacement is necessary. After purchasing a new compatible HDD or SSD:
- Physically install the new drive by inserting into the mounting bay and connecting data/power cables.
- Boot from a Windows installation media like a bootable USB drive.
- Delete all existing partitions on the new drive during setup. Create a new partition taking up the full drive space.
- Perform a clean install of Windows on the fresh drive. Input your license key when prompted.
- Install drivers, applications, and restore your data/files from backup.
Swapping in a new drive and performing a fresh OS installation can resolve the “Windows found errors” issue if it stems from a faulty HDD or SSD.
Data recovery options
If the drive cannot be repaired and important files are still on the drive, data recovery options should be considered. The two main options are:
From backups – Having a current backup of your important files is always recommended to protect against data loss. If you have a recent backup available, you may be able to restore missing or corrupted files from your backup storage. This is often the easiest and quickest way to recover lost data.
Professional data recovery services – If you do not have a backup or if your backup is also corrupted or outdated, you may need to turn to a professional data recovery service. While often expensive, professional services have specialized tools and expertise to attempt recovering data from severely damaged drives. This option should be considered if the lost data is highly valuable and unrecoverable through other means.
Data recovery services first make a clone of the drive to avoid any further data loss. Then they utilize techniques like recovering data from the drive’s sectors, repairing the drive’s file system, or extracting raw data to retrieve as much data as possible. The chances of successful data recovery depend on the severity of the drive errors.
Prevention tips
The best way to prevent Windows found errors is to be proactive with drive maintenance and backups.
Perform regular backups of your important data to external drives or cloud storage. This ensures you have copies of your files in case of disk failure or data corruption. Use backup software like Windows Backup, File History, or a third party option to automate backups on a schedule.
For traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), monitor the SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) stats using tools like CrystalDiskInfo. Keep an eye out for reallocated sectors or pending sectors as early signs of disk problems. Consider replacing aging HDDs proactively before they fail.
For solid state drives (SSDs), avoid completely filling up the drive. SSDs need spare capacity for garbage collection and wear leveling. Check for firmware updates from the manufacturer to optimize performance and fix bugs.
In addition, be sure to properly eject external drives before unplugging them to prevent corruption. Scan disks occasionally using Check Disk or third party tools to identify bad sectors. And maintain your system files by using DISM and SFC to fix system image corruption.
Following these tips will help lower the chances of Windows found errors occurring and let you address potential disk problems early.